Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman highlighted the need to embrace digitalization as the allocation of P38.75 billion in the proposed 2024 budget for said initiative marks a 60.6-percent increase from its P24.93 billion funding in 2023, aiming to boost public service.

“Technological advancement has given rise to a growing digital economy which continues to create new forms of work, transforming the employment landscape. Hence, investing in the digitalization of the bureaucracy is crucial not only in enhancing its efficiency but also in generating quality jobs for Filipinos,” Secretary Pangandaman said.

Secretary Pangandaman added that keeping updated on technology and maximizing its uses are in line with the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s whole-of-government approach to digitally connect the entire bureaucracy — not only to cut red tape but likewise to generate employment in the expanding digital economy.

Much of the ICT and digitalization budget will be divided among 10 government agencies:

-Department of Education (DepEd), 9.43 billion;
-Department of Justice (DOJ), P5.55 billion;
-Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), P5.34; billion (this pertains only to ICT program-related expenditures);
-Department of Finance (DOF), P3.15 billion;
-Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), P2.60 billion;
-National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), P2.08 billion;
-The Judiciary (Supreme Court, Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals), P1.44 billion;
-Department of National Defense (DND), P1.12 billion;
-Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), P913 million; and
-OEOs (Other Executive Offices), P890 million

Meanwhile, a total of P990.631 million will be allocated to the ICT systems and infostructure development, management, and advisory program of the DICT.

Further, the National Government Data Center Infrastructure (NGDCI) Program, which will get P1.67 billion, aims to reduce government spending by providing resources to government agencies either through colocation or cloud services.

In addition, the DICT’s National Government Portal (NGP), which will have an allocation of P302.86 million, is intended to further streamline public service by connecting all government departments to a single website.

Another DICT program, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), will receive a budget of P1.50 billion to improve internet speed and allow affordability across the country.

A separate P2.5 billion will fund the free Wi-Fi connectivity in public places and state colleges and universities (SUCs) program, with a target of 50 broadband sites in 82 provinces. (DBM/PIA-Caraga)