HOI AN, QUANG NAM PROVINCE, VIET NAM (PIA) -- Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director-General and Undersecretary Ramon Lee Cualoping III on Friday pushed for future-proofing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) towards a more inclusive DIGITAL SOCIETY IN THE REGION.

“Now that we have truly shifted to a digital age and adoption of digital technology has become what we say, 'the new normal,' it is also imperative that we work to ensure inclusivity and safety in this so-called digital society," Cualoping said, as he leads the Philippine delegation at the 57th Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information COCI in Hoi An City, Quang Nam, Vietnam.

The Philippines Communications Chief said it is vital for the region to invest early in growing their respective capabilities and technologies and in future-proofing their local technological landscapes in order to develop more technological innovations and reach their full potential.

"We believe ASEAN’s work on improving our people’s access to digital technology, to the internet, must accelerate. No one must be left behind in partaking of the benefits brought about by a digital environment and economy. In this, we should not forget our vulnerable sectors, including persons with disability, who are yet to fully reap the benefits of digitalization," he said.

Cualoping also underscored the importance of promoting digital literacy among the peoples and sectors within the ASEAN region to ensure a safe platform that will promote general welfare and prosperity.

“We continue to work in bringing forward the message that the ASEAN is indeed a community of opportunities for all, bringing benefits to the peoples in our region and to our broader global community, and significant to this work is harnessing the use of information and communication technology as a means of connecting with all our stakeholders,” he added.

More importantly, Cualoping underscored that the Philippines stands ready and committed to work with ASEAN to deliver a digital society that is inclusive, productive, secure, and sustainable.

“The Philippines is one with the rest of the ASEAN in envisioning a region where the culture and information sectors will remain vibrant forces in fostering ASEAN awareness and sense of belongingness and identity among our peoples,” Cualoping said

The PIA chief also highlighted how digital transformation became more relevant when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 which limited physical movements and interactions.

“Digital transformation quickly became a necessity. In a physically distant world, we were closer than ever, thanks to digital transformation. Students’ learning environment has shifted from physical to virtual classrooms. Offices have employed work-from-home arrangements," he said.

"E-commerce has become the norm, with businesses moving their trade from physical stores to virtual shops. Banking and other financial transactions are accomplished only within the use of our fingers,” he added.

Cualoping said that in the culture sector, creative and cultural products have been "made available" through digital platforms. "And we have seen and we continue to watch concerts and shows streamed online,” he said.

“Virtual classes on inter-disciplinary performing arts, and virtual visits to museums and art galleries,” he added.

“In the information and media sector, we have seen virtual press conferences, the forced shift of print media to digital platforms to continue to deliver news and public information amid that crucial time in our era,” he further said.

The 57th ASEAN COCI Meeting was attended by representatives from the culture and information sectors in the ten-member ASEAN states and secretariat and is hosted by the government of Viet Nam. (PIA-NCR)