BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Globe Group expressed its support to legislation that seeks to digitalize government processes, in line with the administration’s goal to streamline transactions in state agencies for public benefit.
In a statement, Globe, which continues to introduce pioneering digital solutions through its portfolio companies, said it welcomes the filing of the e-governance bill, a fresh attempt to pass an earlier Senate bill on government digitalization that was left at the committee level in the 18th Congress.
“We welcome the move towards digital tools and processes in government. This will help speed up transactions with government agencies, from getting necessary documents for school or employment to securing business permits and registration,” Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu said.
“Digitalization offers convenience and ease of doing routine transactions. It saves time and effort that would be spent in interminable queues which is very unproductive. Ultimately, the digital shift will help reinvigorate our economy whose strength lies in our people,” Cu added.
The proposed measure, filed by Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, aims to promote “citizen-centric government information and services” through the use of digital technologies. It cited how the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited people’s movement at its height, made government digitalization an urgent need.
“We are looking forward to the progress of this bill in Congress and stand ready to support the government to see its digitalization goal into full fruition,” Cu further said.
The benefits of digitalization could be gleaned from how the Department of Finance and its attached agencies grew revenue collection and enhanced public services through the digital shift.
In a report released earlier this year, the DOF said digitalization, including the opening of electronic payment channels boosted collections for the Bureau of Internal Revenue, at P2.07 trillion, and the Bureau of Customs, at P645.77 billion, in 2021, amid pandemic restrictions.
Globe’s expansive network is ready to enable the government’s digitalization goals, as it has been boosting coverage with infrastructure investments to achieve a #1stWorldNetwork.
In the first quarter of the year, Globe reported that it built 234 new cell sites, upgraded 3,500 mobile sites, installed 380 more 5G sites and rolled out 470,000 more fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) lines. These initiatives formed part of the P21 billion CAPEX for the same period, or 24% of its P89-billion full-year CAPEX guidance.*
