INDICATORS ON COMMUNITY ACCESS TO ICT:

Critical Policy and Planning Tools in the Implementation of the Philippine Community E-Center Program (CECP)

Aurora A. RubioDepartment of Transportation and Communications, Philippines

Global Indicators Workshop on Community Access to ICTsMexico City

16-19 November 2004

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

• Brief Background on the Philippine Telecommunications

• Selected Sector Statistics

Sector

• The Community E-Center Program

• Indicators as Critical Policy and Planning Tools

• Conclusion

THE PHILIPPINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR

Philippine telecommunications sector is distinctive in a number of ways:

• One of the few countries where telecommunications services have

• Very competitive telecom market

historically been provided by private entities

• Innovative regulatory requirement to promote universal access, requiringmobile and international telecom carrier to install specific number of lines within specific period

• One of the oldest telecom regulators in the world

• One of the first countries where mobile has exceeded fixed line subscription

• “SMS Capital of the World”

- Facilities distribution uneven

- Demography of internet users: 90% urban

- Schools with PCs: 14.28% (2000)

- Schools with internet access: 2% (2000)

CURRENT SITUATION OF PHILIPPINE ICT SECTOR

• ICT INFRASTRUCTURE and ITS COVERAGE RELATIVELY LIMITED

- 1.93 PCs for every 100 population

- Close to half of the cities and municipalities still without fixedline connections (2002)

CURRENT SITUATION OF PHILIPPINE ICT SECTOR

• LITERACY RELATIVELY HIGH

- Literacy rate: 92.3%

- Literacy rate in English Language: 70%

• ON BEING ON-LINE

- 99% OF 377 National Government Agencies have websites

- 100% of 106 State Universities and Colleges are now on-line

- 100% of the 79 provinces and 115 cities have web presence

THE COMMUNITY E-CENTER PROGRAM (CECP)

Our Vision: To address the digital divide by ensuring that the capability of digital technologies truly impact the quality of life of all Filipinos, empowering rural communities socially, economically and politically.

Our Objectives:

- Link communities together

- To serve as vehicle in the electronic delivery of criticalgovernment information and services

- Facilitate trade and commerce and promote SME participationand development

- To coordinate similar and related initiatives

CECP GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• The provision of access to information and communications services in rural, remote and underserved areas is a key to accelerating development

• The success of the program depends on the efficient and effective partnership of the public and private sectors.

• Content is an essential component of the CECP and its sustainability.Content and applications must be adopted or developed to suit the particular needs and conditions of the local community.

• The government, as a model user of ICT, should accelerate its efforts in developing content, particularly those that are used in the delivery of public services.

• The provision of telecommunications and IT facilities is not a goal in itself.

RELATED INITIATIVES…. Here and There

• Telepono sa Barangay

• PCs for Public High Schools Project

• Pilot Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCT)

• Establishment and Computerization of Barangay Reading Centers

• Text 2 Teach

• Local Government Units e-Services

• SSS Application Project and other Government Applications

• And a lot lot more

COMMUNITY E-CENTER PROGRAM (CECP)

STATUS OF CECP

• Inventory of related projects for coordination and alignment purposes

• Exact No. of CECs unknown. No registration required

• Telecommunications Office establishing III CECs in 39 provinces under the E-Government Fund

• E-Frontline government services aggressively undertaken, per mandate of E-Commerce Act

• Coverage and Quantity Targets already incorporated in the Medium TermPhilippine Development Plan (MTPDP)

• Update and Verification on some ICT indicators in different geographic(political) levels being undertaken

• Aggressive Information Drive ongoing

ICT INDICATORS AS POLICY AND PLANNING TOOLS

• Provides policy makers and planners a good overview of current situation vis a vis targets

• Identify gaps and subsequently strategies to narrow the gap

• Tool for benchmarking

However,

• Accuracy and timeliness are critical factors; difficult to attain

• Has cost implications

• Conflicting and misleading data cause serious concern

ON GLOBAL INDICATORS PRESENTED IN THIS FORUM

• Set of Indicators may serve as a blueprint to plan and monitor country’s response to the WSIS Plan of Action

• May also be worthwhile to refer to indicators developed in other fora, i.e.,APEC TEL

• May consider other indicators such as affordability, acceptable or common applications, etc.

OTHER CONCERNS

• Capability to gather data

• Common understanding of definition of terms

• Frequency of Update

• Resolution of Conflicting Data

• Converting raw data into usable and realistic policies, plans and programs

• Cost

CONCLUSION

• ICT Indicators are important policy and planning tools

• Developing countries generally lack information on various indicators

- Cost implication

- Limited manpower and other resources

- Conflicting interpretation of terms and procedure used

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

MARAMING SALAMAT PO.