The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading the creation of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), which is tasked to further develop the country’s electronic communications facilities, services and infrastructure.
Lawmakers are still confident that House Bill 6198 creating the Department would be enacted into law before the end of the 16th Congress.
Under the bill, "the Department shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, regulating, and administrative entity of the executive branch of the Government that will plan, promote, and help develop the country's ICT sector and ensure reliable and cost-efficient communications facilities, other multimedia infrastructure and services."
The Department of Science and Technology and its Information and Communications Technology Office currently undertake some of the functions of the proposed DICT.
HB 6198 makes it a policy of the government “to provide an environment that will support investments in cost-efficient ICT infrastructure, systems and resources.”
This policy aims to ensure universal access and high-speed connectivity at fair and reasonable costs and to encourage investors to implement ICT projects in both high-growth and economically depressed areas.
The proposed DICT is also tasked to protect consumers and preserve their rights to privacy and confidentiality of information.
It also aims promote accountability through transparent governance and effective delivery of government frontline services.
The proposed Department shall be headed by a Secretary to be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. The President shall also appoint not more than four (4) Undersecretaries and four (4) Assistant Secretaries.