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20 May DICT law, finally signed; planned to spur ICT dev’t

Posted at 14:09h in News by

The bill creating the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) is finally signed into law. Among the functions of the DICT would be to establish a free internet service that can be accessed in government offices and public areas, as well as to increase cyber security.

Senator Ralph Recto, the principal sponsor of the bill said that the DICT is planned to spur ICT development, institutionalize e-government, and manage the county’s ICT environment.

The proposed DICT will be composed of existing ICT-related agencies under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Increased cyber security

Another concern that the DICT seeks to address is the issue of cyber security and the need to firewall the country from cyber attacks. “We live in an era when terrorists don’t need to blast bank doors to do mayhem; but simply unleash a cyber virus that could shred or suck out financial data. An enemy with malware is probably more dangerous than an enemy with a missile,” Recto said.

Aside from the Cyber Crime Investigation and Coordination Center which would be attached to the proposed DICT, a National Cyber Security Plan and the National Computer Emergency Response Team will also be created.

The DICT also seeks to solve the slow internet speed in the country.

‘Lean bureaucracy’

According to Recto, the creation of DICT will not burn a hole in the taxpayer’s pocket, as it is designed to have a small but smart workforce. “In fact, there will be savings in the merger of the offices. We limited the number of undersecretaries, to cite an example, and the creation of regional offices was not made mandatory,” he said.

Sources:

Dela Paz, Chrisee. “DICT bill now on Aqino’s desk.” Rappler. 16 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

“DICT bill now in Malacanang; PNoy has 30 days to sign or veto.” InterAksyon. 16 May 2016. Web. 18 May 2016.

“Sa Tamang Panahon, Recto hopes DICT bill will be signed into law.” InterAksyon. 28 February 2016. Web. 18 May 2016