The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to collaborate with the United Kingdom in strengthening the Philippines’ digital ecosystem under its Digital Cities 2030 initiative.
The program is an expansion of Digital Cities 2025. This new phase will focus on digital communities and regions, ensuring that technology-driven development reaches even the most remote areas.
DICT Undersecretary for ICT Industry Development Jocelle Batapa-Sigue revealed that the United Kingdom will be one of the Philippines’ first key partners in this effort.
“We will recommend to the new DICT Secretary to work closely with our global partners, starting with the UK,” Batapa-Sigue told PhilSTAR Tech.
Moreover, she emphasized the need for a digital ecosystem that encourages innovation through structured experimentation and policy sandboxes.
Batapa-Sigue said that in the Philippines, problems are oftentimes swept “under the rug,” when these problems could be easily solved with digital solutions.
On that note, she shared insights from the UK’s approach to digital governance and technology-driven economic growth, highlighting its potential application in the Philippines.
As part of this collaboration, the DICT recently hosted Russ Shaw, founder of Global Tech Advocates and co-founder of London Tech Week, for a roundtable discussion and workshop.
The event was supported by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, Fintech Philippines Association, British Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, Proptech Consortium of the Philippines, Digital Pilipinas, and the Philippine British Business Council.
“We need to talk about connectivity and technology, but we also need to talk about very good and sound policies, standards, and frameworks,” she said.
The DICT believes that partnerships with international organizations, private sector players, and academic institutions are crucial in building a robust digital ecosystem.
The Digital Cities 2030 program is set to be formally presented to the new DICT leadership and industry stakeholders in the coming months, with implementation expected to begin before the end of the year.
