Manila: Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano announced that the newly signed E-Governance Law will streamline systems and improve government services. Cayetano highlighted that the law would enhance government transparency, accessibility, and connectivity, ultimately resulting in 'more time, more trust, and more dignity' for Filipinos. He emphasized that technology could modernize government when guided by purpose, leading to significant improvements in citizens' lives.
According to Philippines News Agency, the E-Governance Law, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. earlier this week, is part of an initiative to digitalize public services. The law requires the creation of an integrated digital platform, allowing citizens to conduct transactions with government agencies online, thereby reducing paperwork and enhancing efficiency. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will spearhead the law's implementation, collaborating with other agencies and local government units to develop and maintain the necessary digital infrastructure.
The law's mandates include ensuring platform interoperability, protecting data privacy, and strengthening cybersecurity measures. It is the culmination of bills primarily authored by Senator Christopher Lawrence Go and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, with support from several senators, including Cayetano, who advocated for its swift passage. Both the Senate and House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the measure in June before forwarding it to Malaca±ang for the President's signature.
Previously unsuccessful in past Congresses, the law gained momentum during the 19th Congress as digitalization became a government priority following lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a co-author of the law, expressed support, noting that it will transform government service delivery through a secure digital system. He stated that the measure would make services more accessible, particularly for citizens in remote areas and persons with disabilities, and would enhance transparency in program implementation.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Finance added that the law would help streamline processes, reduce costs, and minimize corruption by ensuring transparency in project execution.
