Manila: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is advocating for the passage of the Magna Carta for IT Professionals, aimed at improving compensation and benefits for IT workers in the government sector.

According to Philippines News Agency, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting government IT workers to advance President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s digitalization agenda. Aguda stated that the proposed legislative bill is intended to enhance compensation, benefits, and professional recognition for the ICT workforce.

Aguda committed to prioritizing the bill during the Program Convergence Budgeting for Public Financial Management Systems and Medium-Term ICT Harmonization Initiative Steering Committee Strategic Planning at the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Building on April 3. He urged collaboration from various agencies to expedite the bill's passage, stating his dedication to seeing the Magna Carta for IT Professionals come to fruition.

Aguda underscored the importance of investing in the workforce behind digital transformation to improve government efficiency and public service delivery. He clarified that true transformation relies significantly on people, rather than technology alone, with a focus on fostering a digital-first economy, promoting data privacy, and ensuring transparent governance.

He reiterated the necessity for a 'digital bayanihan'-a collaborative effort between the DICT and stakeholders to ensure no Filipino is left behind in the digital revolution. Aguda highlighted that if digitalization is the future and information is the new oil, the Magna Carta is essential for the country's progress.