SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, in a co-sponsorship speech, highlighted the transformative potential of Senate Bill No. 2781, also known as the E-Governance Bill. The proposed legislation aims to modernize government operations through digital means, allowing services to be more accessible, transparent, and efficient.

Go emphasized that he has long championed e-governance, having filed his own version of the bill. “I filed Senate Bill 194 because it is my belief that with e-governance, we are not just embracing new technology, we are also enhancing government’s transparency, efficiency, and accessibility,” he said.

“This bill represents a crucial step toward modernizing our governmental operations and ensuring that our institutions are not just efficient but also resilient in the face of evolving challenges,” Go emphasized, pointing to the need for adaptation in the digital age.

The senator laid out the central goal of the bill: making government services more accessible to ordinary Filipinos, particularly workers, fishermen, farmers, students, and those seeking livelihoods.

“Layunin po ng E-Governance Bill na mas ilapit natin sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino… ang mga serbisyo ng gobyerno. Gamit ng makabagong teknolohiya, mas madaling matutugunan ng gobyerno ang mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga mamamayan,” Go said, underlining the role of modern technology in addressing the needs of the people.

Go directly referenced the social contract theory, which he used to emphasize the government’s duty to deliver services to the public.

“When this Republic was established more than a century ago, it was founded on the basic principle that people had come to an agreement to establish a government that will serve, protect, and advance the welfare of the people. The Filipinos pledged to pay their taxes, for example, to support the operations of the government. The government, in return, is bound to deliver the various services to our people. In two words, we call this social contract,” Go stated.

As one of the authors and co-sponsors of the measure, Go thanked Senator Alan Peter Cayetano for principally sponsoring the bill and pointed out how the COVID-19 pandemic revealed the urgent need for such reforms.

Go underscored how e-governance can improve government transparency, efficiency, and accessibility. He cited the benefits of transitioning to an electronic system, including the ability to streamline processes, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and provide faster services to citizens. He also touched on the potential to cut administrative costs and reduce opportunities for corruption.

He elaborated on how e-governance would allow citizens to easily access public services such as permits, tax payments, and social service applications.

“Moreover, e-governance fosters better data management and security. With a digital framework, we can ensure that important records are kept safe and are less susceptible to loss or damage,” he said.

Furthermore, Go emphasized that embracing technology is not just a response to changing times but a responsibility of the government to evolve and adapt to the current needs of its people.

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