SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano welcomed the passage of the E-Governance Law, describing it as a gateway to unprecedented public service efficiency.
Cayetano sponsored the bill in the 19th Congress as chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. He is also the author and co-sponsor of the Konektadong Pinoy Law, a national internet connectivity legislation.
“Only God knows the limitations of e-governance. There are unlimited opportunities. Think of it, and it can be done. You want e-payments, transactions that don’t have lines and only use a single app, facial recognition? The new law can do it,” Cayetano said.
The E-Governance Act, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sept. 5, aims to streamline government services and promote transparency through the use of information and communications technology.
Under the law, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is mandated to ensure that information and communications technology (ICT) projects in the Philippines will be done in accordance with the National ICT Development Agenda and E-Government Master Plan.
Cayetano said E-Governance by itself is not a panacea, but a tool to be used to address the many challenges the country is facing.
“If we cannot build the required infrastructure, we cannot reap the benefits of the digital age,” he added.
