LAPU-LAPU CITY — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will unveil its long-awaited National ICT Development Agenda (NICTDA) within the month, a top official of the agency said.
“We will soon launch NICTDA 2023-2028 hopefully within the month,” Emmy Lou V. Delfin, director of ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB) of the DICT, said.
Speaking at the ongoing VST ECS CXO Summit 2023 here in Cebu, Delfin said the five-year NICTDA is anchored on six development components, namely: digital connectivity, digital transformation, digital inclusivity, ICT resiliency and sustainability, strategic partnership, and digital ecosystems development.
Delfin further said the NICTDA aims to serve as “a blueprint for creating a vibrant ICT ecosystem by leveraging the power of ICT in advancing nation-building, good governance, and global competitiveness.”
The official said one key goal under the plan is to further enhance the country’s Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), which is currently one of the most vibrant industries in the country, employing more than 1.5 million workers.
The government’s goal, Delfin said, is to add another one million jobs in the IT-BPM sector the next six years.
Delfin further bared that as part of the government’s IT agenda, the DICT will also be more active in the start-up sector, pursuant to Republic Act 11337 (Innovative Startup Act), which provides access to opportunities for new and early-stage startups relating to startup development, capacity building, and building more networks.
The official bared that the government is aiming to increase its funding for technology grants, from P500,000 to P1 million.
Currently, the DICT has already received more than 90 grant applicants, she said.
Delfin further said the DICT will be more proactive in the startup space and will participate in more startup ecosystem development activities. These activities include the upcoming conclude Philippine Startup Week and “Geeks on a Beach,” an international startup conference. Both events will be held in November.
The ongoing VST ECS CXO Tech Summit 2023, meanwhile, is shaping up to be the biggest conference of its kind, inviting C-level executives from both local and global technology companies.
According to VST ECS, one of the largest technology companies in the Philippines, the summit brings together industry leaders, technology experts, and professionals to explore the vital intersection of digital transformation and cybersecurity.
“With a focus on unlocking the potential of digital transformation while ensuring the security of organizations, this conference aims to equip attendees with the knowledge, strategies, and best practices necessary to navigate the complex digital landscape and the evolving cybersecurity threats,” the company said.
