18 December 2023 – PASIG CITY. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) conducted the Data Dissemination Forum on the results of the 2021 Survey on Information and Communications Technology (SICT), which was spearheaded by the Services Statistics Division of the Economic Sector Statistics Service (ESSS), Sectoral Statistics Office (SSO). This is the first time that a separate data dissemination forum was conducted for the SICT. Previously, data dissemination for SICT was done simultaneous with the Annual Survey of Philippine Business and Industry (ASPBI).

The SICT aims to collect data on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) among establishments in the Philippines. This survey is being conducted as a rider to the ASPBI.

The data dissemination forum was attended by 104 participants from different government agencies, guests from selected sample establishments, and other stakeholders. It was conducted face-to-face and simultaneously live streamed on the PSA Facebook page.

PSA Assistant Secretary Divina Gracia L. del Prado, PhD, Deputy National Statistician of SSO, welcomed the guests to the forum. In her welcome remarks, she mentioned that during the pandemic, the revolutionary breakthrough of ICT was witnessed as many of our activities involved the use of ICT, such as procurement of services, school classes, and office works, among others. She emphasized that the data collected from the SICT are valuable inputs in measuring the progress of ICT in the country. The indicators served as bases in formulating evidence-based policies and programs focused on ICT. 

Director Francis Mark A. Quimba, PhD, of the Philippine APEC Study Center Network of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies served as the keynote speaker during the forum. He mentioned about the recently concluded event on the 2023 APEC Leaders’ Golden Gate Declaration during the APEC Leaders meeting in San Francisco, USA, which highlighted the significance of ICT and the digital economy to the Asia-Pacific Region and recognized that digital technologies and innovations are changing the way business and government operate across all sectors. 

The Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) was also emphasized, which was a groundbreaking initiative focused on establishing a cohesive and integrated digital economy across the region. He also stressed that the Philippine Development Plan promotes the rapid expansion of the digital economy in which the present leader pushes for the digital transformation of government. In addition, he discussed some data items in the survey instrument, which are significant in the implementation of the digital economy framework in the ASEAN region. 

Chief Statistical Specialist Soraya C. de Guzman of the Services Statistics Division of ESSS presented the highlights of the results of the 2021 SICT. This was followed by the discussion and presentation of insights of the discussants, namely, Assistant Director Richard Emerson D. Ballester of the Trade, Services, and Industry Staff of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Bureau Director Maria Victoria C. Castro of the National ICT Planning, Policy and Standard Bureau of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Assistant Director Ballester discussed that based on the results of the SICT, data users can identify the areas that need infrastructure improvement to boost the growth of ICT as well as to provide measures to attract more investments on ICT to enhance the country’s digital infrastructure. In addition, he recommended for the inclusion of questions on the digital literacy of the employees, cybersecurity awareness, and LGU-readiness on ICT to provide policymakers with information on the needed capacity-building programs. 

Meanwhile, Director Castro mentioned that the survey of the digital economy has emerged as a critical driver of growth and innovation. It presented both opportunities and challenges for countries around the world. She suggested that emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning should be taken into account in establishing new indicators for the survey for the improvement of the data governance framework. Lastly, she also suggested that the use of green ICT initiatives be considered in the future iterations of the SICT.

The event was also highlighted by the awarding of certificates, plaques, and tokens of appreciation to the representatives of selected sample establishments of the 2021 SICT for their timely submission of data. 

The closing remarks was delivered by Officer-in-Charge Assistant National Statistician Rachel C. Lacsa of ESSS. She thanked everyone for their participation and their valuable contribution to the success of the forum. She concluded her remarks with high hopes that the results of the 2021 SICT would serve as a benchmark towards a future where the Philippines emerges as a global leader in ICT.

The forum can be watched through this link:  
https://www.facebook.com/PSAgovph/videos/748361577332077

- Economic Sector Statistics Service, Sectoral Statistics Office