The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is seeking approval for its proposed P46.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2021 which is more than 7 times more than its budget this year of around P6 billion.
Gregorio Honasan II, DICT secretary, said the proposed budget will be used to effectively implement the agency’s strategic programs toward digital transformation in the new normal.
In its proposal, the biggest chunk, amounting to P22.1 billion, is allocated for DICT’s digital connectivity and access programs, particularly the National Broadband Program, Free WiFi for All in Public Places and State Universities and Colleges Program, and the Government Emergency Communications System.
“Digital connectivity and access is the foundation of digital transformation. It is only with a secure and reliable Internet connectivity for every Filipino can we implement programs and initiatives towards digitalization in various sectors of our society,” Honasan said.
DICT allotted P11.7 billion for its digital government initiatives, P10.2 billion for digital workforce and digital education, P55 million for digital cities and provinces, P1.05 billion for cybersecurity, and P1.3 billion for internal DICT programs.
“We hope that both houses of congress will approve our proposed budget for 2021. Now more than ever, the call for digital transformation has never been more urgent. We need all the resources to fast track the country’s digital transformation for us to better adapt to the new normal brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Honasan said.
He added the proposed budget is in line with the goals of the National Economic and Development Authority and the Inter-Agency Task Force-Technical Working Group on Anticipatory and Forward Planning to rebuild the economy and adapt to the new normal of economic activity.
