Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1358 
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
E-Government and innovation present significant opportunities to transform
public administration into an instrument of sustainable development. Broadly 
defined as "the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and its 
application by the government for the provision of information and public services 
to the people," e-government encompasses the use of information technologies to 
streamline and integrate workflows and processes, effectively manage data, enhance 
public service delivery, and expand communication channels for citizen engagement 
and empowerment.  
Its impact on public administration is profound, changing the operational 
environment of public service and introducing new concepts and methods to its 
operations. 
Therefore, this legislative measure aims to establish an integrated, 
interconnected, 
and 
interoperable 
information, 
resource-sharing, 
and 
communications network spanning the entirety of the national and local 
government. It seeks to institutionalize a cohesive internal records management 
information system, a secure information database, and digital portals for the 
efficient delivery of public services.  
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9:24 am


Further, this Bill promotes the use of the Internet, Intranet, and emerging 
technologies within and across government agencies to provide citizen-centric 
government information and services. It also pushes for the digitization of 
paper-based and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and 
transparent public service, while encouraging government cooperation with the 
private sector in providing necessary resources, assets, and services. 
This measure was filed in the 19th Congress and was passed by the Lower 
House on its third and final reading. Hence, its immediate passage is earnestly 
sought. 
JC M. ABALOS 
Representative 
4Ps Partylist 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  1358
Introduced by 4Ps Partylist Representative 
JC M. ABALOS 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE TRANSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT TO 
E- GOVERNANCE IN THE DIGITAL AGE, CREATING FOR THE PURPOSE THE 
PHILIPPINE INFOSTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER I 
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "E-Governance 
Act". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy and Purposes. — It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to recognize the vital role of information and communication in 
nation-building and the necessity of harnessing the power of information and 
communications technology (ICT) in pursuit of national development and progress. 
The State hereby adopts a policy to create, foster, and sustain a digitally empowered 
and integrated government that provides secure, responsive and transparent online 
citizen-centered services and harnesses the potential of open data for promoting 
economic growth and a globally competitive Filipino nation. 
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In pursuit of this policy, this Act shall have the following purposes: 
a)​ Provide effective leadership of government efforts to develop and 
promote electronic government services and processes by defining and 
identifying the roles of various government agencies in the entire 
digital transformation process; 
 
b)​ Promote the use of the internet, ICT and emerging technologies within 
and across government agencies to provide citizen-centric government 
information and services, and improve public trust and citizen 
participation in the government; 
 
c)​ Promote 
ICT 
infrastructure 
development 
interoperability 
of 
inter-agency systems and processes through a consolidated process 
architecture; 
 
d)​ Promote inter-agency collaboration in providing government services, 
to improve the service to citizens by integrating related functions, and 
in the use of ICT to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
processes including but not limited to secure data and information 
sharing; 
 
e)​ Improve the ability of the government to achieve agency missions and 
program performance goals; 
 
f)​ Reduce costs and burdens for businesses and other government 
entities; 
 
g)​ Promote the use of ICT to enable an informed and data-driven decision 
making by policy makers, taking into consideration data analytics 
results; 
h)​ Promote the use of ICT in improving access to high quality 
government information and services across multiple channels; 
 
i)​ Strengthen transparency and accountability efforts of the national and 
local governments; 
 
j)​ Transform agency operations by utilizing, where appropriate, best 
practices from public and private sector organizations, both local and 
international; 
 
k)​ Provide enhanced and secured access to government information and 
services in a manner consistent with laws regarding protection of data 
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privacy, cybersecurity, national security, records retention, freedom of 
information, open data, access for persons with disabilities, and other 
relevant laws; 
 
l)​ Promote ICT capacity development to create quality jobs and increase 
the employability of the Philippine workforce; 
 
m)​Ensure and take measures to update the qualification and competency 
standards of ICT positions in the government; 
 
n)​ Promote digital literacy to enable Filipinos to participate in an evolving 
ICT age; 
 
o)​ Promote and support innovation, including the creation of a conducive 
environment for start-ups in providing better service to citizens, raise 
efficiencies and productivity in the public sector; 
 
p)​ Promote best practices where processes are documented, analyzed, or 
streamlined before digitalization happens; 
 
q)​ Build resilience to withstand the effects of disasters, pandemics, or 
widespread 
information 
technology 
disruptions, 
including 
cybersecurity attacks, that will limit its citizens ability to transact; 
 
r)​ Encourage the use of electronic devices where the mobility of citizens is 
restricted; and 
 
s)​ Promote the establishment of an open data economy by unlocking the 
economic value of opening government, public and private data. 
 
SEC. 3. Coverage. — This Act shall apply to all executive, legislative, judicial 
offices, and constitutional offices, including local government units (LGUs), state 
universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or controlled corporations 
(GOCCs) and other instrumentalities, whether located in the Philippines or abroad, 
that provide services covering business and nonbusiness related transactions as 
defined in this Act, subject to limitations under existing laws. 
 
Further, this Act shall also cover back-end government operations, within, 
between and across agencies, government-to-government transactions, particularly 
those involving sharing and processing of data and information between and among 
government agencies for policy, planning and decision-making purposes, and other 
government operations. 
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SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a)​ Application Programming Interfaces (APls) refers to an intermediary that allows 
interaction between applications, programs, software components, systems, 
hardware, and micro-services of different individuals or organizations; 
 
b)​ Chief Information Officer (ClO) refers to a senior officer in all national 
government agencies, including constitutional offices, state universities and 
colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, and government 
financial institutions responsible for the development, planning and 
implementation of the agency's information systems strategic plan or ICT 
plan, and management of the agency's ICT systems, platforms, and 
applications; 
 
c)​ Critical Information Infrastructure or Critical Infostructure (CIl) refers to the 
computer systems, and/or networks whether physical or virtual, and/or the 
computer programs, computer data and/or traffic data that are vital to this 
country that the incapacity or destruction or interference with such system 
and assets would have a debilitating impact on security, national or economic 
security, national health and safety or any combination of those matters. 
Sectors initially classified as CIls are the following: government transportation 
(land, sea, air), energy, water, health, emergency services, banking and 
finance, business process outsourcing, telecommunications, and media; 
 
d)​ Digitization refers to the process of encoding information or procedure into 
digital form that can be read and manipulated by computers; 
 
e)​ Digitalization refers to the process of using digital technologies to enhance the 
operations of the government, and provide new revenue and value-producing 
opportunities; 
 
f)​ Digital Transformation refers to the process of optimizing, reconstructing, and 
integrating digital technology into all areas of the government, to maximize 
resource configuration, improve operational efficiency and innovation 
capability, and enhance value delivery to stakeholders; 
 
g)​ E-Governance refers to the application of ICT in establishing interaction 
between the different levels of government, business, and the citizenry. It also 
involves the implementation of internal government operations meant to 
simplify and improve both the democratic and business aspects of 
governance; 
 
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h)​ E-Government refers to the use of information and communications technology 
by the government to enhance the access to and delivery of government 
services to bring about efficient, responsive, ethical, accountable and 
transparent government; 
 
i)​ ICT Assets refer to any data, device, equipment, infrastructure, system, or 
component thereof, utilized to ensure or support the proper and efficient 
operation and implementation of ICT-related programs and delivery of ICT 
services; 
 
j)​ ICT plan refers to the sum or set of goals, measures, strategies, agenda, budget 
and timeline for the implementation of ICT programs and projects and the use 
of information and communications technology, including digital platforms, 
to deliver public services or otherwise perform governmental functions; 
 
k)​ Information and Communications Technology (ICT) refers to the totality of 
electronic means to access, create, collect, store, process, receive, transmit, 
present, regulate and disseminate information; 
 
l)​ Information Security Standards (ISS) refers to generally acceptable security 
standards which aim to protect, and secure the confidentiality, integrity, 
availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of information; 
 
m)​Information Systems Strategic Plan (ISSP) refers to the 3 year plan that serves as 
the agency's roadmap for using ICT as a strategic resource to support the 
attainment of its goals, mission, and vision and it is also a written expression 
of how an agency intends to use ICT to support its data processing and 
decision-making processes; 
 
n)​ Internet refers to a public enterprise network that shares data or application 
resources via Internet Protocol; 
 
o)​ Interoperability refers to the ability of different operating and software systems, 
applications, and services to communicate and exchange data in an accurate, 
effective, and consistent manner to different platforms and agencies; 
p)​ Privacy Engineering refers to the integration of privacy concerns into 
engineering practices for systems and software engineering life cycle 
processes; 
q)​ Privacy-by-Design 
refers 
to 
an 
approach 
in 
the 
development 
and 
implementation of projects, programs, and processes that integrates 
safeguards that are necessary to protect and promote privacy into the design 
or structure; 
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r)​ Privacy-by-Default refers to a practice of applying the strictest privacy settings 
by default, without any manual input from the user, when a product or 
service has been deployed for public use; and 
 
s)​ Workflow refers to the sequence of industrial, administrative, or other 
processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion. 
 
 
CHAPTER II 
ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT 
 
SEC. 5. Responsibilities of the Heads of Government Agencies, Offices, and 
Instrumentalities. — The head of each agency, office, and instrumentality of the 
national and local government, in consultation with the Department of Information 
and Communications Technology (DICT), shall be responsible for: 
a)​ Adhering to the requirements of this Act, including related standards for all 
ICT infrastructures, systems, equipment, designs, and all other technology, 
which shall be promulgated by the DICT; 
 
b)​ Complying with the standards and protocols for cybersecurity, resiliency, and 
data privacy and confidentiality, which shall also be promulgated by the 
DICT in consultation with the National Privacy Commission (NPC); 
 
c)​ Ensuring that the information technology standards promulgated by the 
DICT are communicated promptly and effectively to all relevant officials 
within their agency; 
 
d)​ Supporting the efforts of the national and local government to develop, 
maintain, and promote an integrated system of delivering government 
information and services to the public; 
 
e)​ In consultation with the DICT, establishing and implementing information 
security policy, freedom of information, open data policy, and standards 
within their organization, in consideration of their respective mandate or 
technology needs or risks; and 
 
f)​ Conforming to the reengineering and streamlining requirements of Anti-Red 
Tape Authority (ARTA) as provided under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of 
Doing Business and Efficient Services Act of 2018. 
 
To these ends, agencies shall: 
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a)​ Develop performance measures that demonstrate how ICT enables progress 
toward agency objectives, strategic goals, and statutory mandates; 
 
b)​ In measuring performance, rely on existing data collections to the extent 
practicable and introduce new data collection schemes necessary to collect 
performance data and derive valuable insights. Areas of performance 
measurement that agencies should include customer service, agency 
productivity, and adoption of innovative information technology, including 
the appropriate use of industry best practices; 
 
c)​ Link their performance goals, as appropriate, to key groups, including 
citizens, businesses, and other governments; 
 
d)​ As appropriate, work collectively in linking their performance goals to key 
groups and shall use information technology in delivering government 
information and services to those groups; 
 
e)​ Ensure that all ISSPs and ICT plans are updated annually and considered in 
their budget preparation activities; 
 
f)​ Agencies shall regularly undertake cost compliance analysis, time and motion 
studies, undergo evaluation and improvement of their transaction systems 
and procedures and reengineer the same if deemed necessary to reduce 
bureaucratic red tape and process time; 
 
g)​ Support the development of a digital competency framework in order to 
undertake a competency assessment of personnel and provide them with 
appropriate learning and development programs to strengthen their digital 
competency; and 
 
h)​ Be accountable in the implementation of the ISSP or ICT Plan: 
Provided, however, That for purposes of efficiency and avoidance of redundancy, 
government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, with existing: (a) standards for 
all ICT infrastructures, systems, equipment, designs, and all other technology; (b) 
protocols for cybersecurity, resiliency and data privacy and confidentiality; (c) 
effective mechanism for communicating promptly and effectively all information 
technology standards within their agency; and (d) equipment, systems, programs 
and infrastructures, that substantially comply with the minimum requirements 
indicated in the relevant provisions of this Act, as well as those that already have 
existing government positions, such as Chief Information Officer, within their 
respective offices whose qualifications are aligned with the requirements under this 
Act, shall be allowed to maintain those existing standards, protocols, mechanisms, 
9 


equipment, systems, programs, infrastructures and positions, and shall already be 
deemed compliant with the provisions hereof. 
 
SEC. 6. Role of the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology. - The DICT shall be the primary implementing body and principal 
administrator of this Act. In accordance with applicable laws and rules, and subject 
to limitations provided by the Constitution, the DICT shall ensure that all ICT 
projects in the Philippines shall be done in accordance with the National ICT 
Development Agenda and E-Government Master Plan, as provided under Republic 
Act No. 10844 otherwise known as the "Department of Information and 
Communications Technology Act of 2015". For this purpose, the DICT shall establish 
measures to implement policies under this Act and ensure that all ICT projects in the 
Philippines, whether national or local, are harmonized with the overall ICT plans 
and in compliance with applicable standards. Accordingly, the DICT shall: 
 
a)​ Adopt a national policy and process that promotes innovations, supports 
start-ups, and facilitate the entry and adoption of technologies consistent with 
the goals of this Act; 
 
b)​ Mandate support and supervise the government agencies in ensuring the 
quality, security, and reliability of their respective ICT infrastructure and 
services 
in 
accordance 
with 
international 
or 
industrial 
standards, 
specifications, and best practices, and direct the interconnection or 
interoperability of ICT infrastructure, systems, and facilities when necessary 
to achieve the goals of this Act; 
 
c)​ Coordinate and/or collaborate with the private sector and enter into 
partnerships and joint ventures in accordance with the goals of this Act; 
 
d)​ Mandate and supervise the adoption of policies and processes to ensure the 
implementation of this Act, including the adoption of a Roadmap to provide a 
strategic and phased whole-of-government transformation to e-Government, 
with clear and identified milestones, and which explicitly defines the roles 
and 
responsibilities 
of 
covered 
government 
agencies, 
offices, 
and 
instrumentalities; 
 
e)​ Regulate and supervise the operations of ICT infrastructure, systems, and 
facilities, and in the exercise of such functions, in accordance with applicable 
laws and rules; 
 
f)​ Mandate government agencies, offices and instrumentalities to comply with 
the minimum qualification and competency standards of ICT positions in the 
10 


government and require government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, 
to regularly report the status of compliance thereto; and 
 
g)​ Engage technical and standards organizations and consult industry experts on 
matters requiring engineering inputs, enterprise architecture and other highly 
specialized concerns. 
 
h)​ Where applicable, recognize the administrative autonomy provided by the 
Constitution 
for 
independent 
government 
agencies, 
offices, 
and 
instrumentalities in the implementation and enforcement of the foregoing; 
and 
 
i)​ Develop in accordance with applicable civil service laws and rules, consistent 
with the compensation and position classification system of the government, 
the competency and qualification standards of all ICT positions in the 
government, and submit to the Department of Budget and Management 
(DBM) the proposal for the creation and updating of current civil service 
positions for ICT workers, which include cybersecurity, data governance, data 
privacy, and other ICT-related government positions and the appropriate job 
levels and corresponding compensation rates aligned with the personnel 
needs of a digitized government and comparable with the prevailing industry 
rates, as well as the qualifications standards, duties and functions essential to 
the effective operation of government ICT infrastructure and systems: 
Provided, That government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, that have 
been exempted from the Salary Standardization Law and have been granted 
authority to formulate their own compensation and position classification 
systems, whose compensation, competency, and qualification standards are 
aligned with the minimum requirements under this Act, shall be allowed to 
maintain those existing compensation, competency, and qualification 
standards in the operation of government ICT infrastructure and systems. 
 
SEC. 7. The E-Governance Unified Project Management Office. — Within one 
year from the effectivity of this Act, the DICT shall establish a govemment-wide 
E-Governance Unified Project Management Office (E-Gov-UPMO), which shall cater 
to and address the portfolio, program, and project management needs of 
government agencies, with the end goal of ensuring that ICT projects across the 
government are managed with efficiency and agility, following international best 
practices and standards. 
 
The DICT shall provide guidelines on the operation of the E-Gov-UPMO and 
the qualifications of personnel under the E-Gov-UPMO, who shall, at the minimum 
obtain internationally-recognized certifications and a required number of units on 
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Project Management, Program Management, IT Service Management, the Enterprise 
Architecture, Information Security, Data Privacy, Risk Management, and other 
similar fields or specializations. For this purpose, the ICT Academy created under 
this Act, shall ensure that courses, multimodal training, and certifications to develop 
this human resource are regularly offered. 
 
SEC. 8. Chief Information Officer. — Every government agency is authorized 
to create a plantilla position for Chief Information Officer (CIO) who shall ensure 
that ICT systems are developed and implemented which are properly secured and 
compliant with standards as determined and prescribed by the DICT and in 
accordance with relevant laws, rules, and regulations, including Republic Act No. 
10173, or the "Data Privacy Act of 2012". 
 
The CIO shall perform the following functions: 
a)​ Advise agencies on how best to leverage ICTs to optimize the delivery of 
secured public services, and achieve efficient, and cost-effective operations; 
 
b)​ Securely develop, maintain, and manage the agency's information systems; 
 
c)​ Manage and supervise the implementation of ICT related projects, systems, 
and processes; 
 
d)​ Formulate and implement processes in relation to the adoption of ICT-based 
solutions, including emerging technologies as provided in the E-Government 
Plan; 
 
e)​ Manage operational risks related to ICT in coordination with the agency's 
management and stakeholders; 
 
f)​ Ensure that the ICT programs and operations are consistent with national 
policies and standards; and 
 
g)​ Accelerate the use of open data, blockchain, emerging technologies and 
benchmark ICT programs and operations against ICT industry best practices. 
 
Recruitment, selection and appointment to the CIO position shall be in 
accordance with the civil service law, rules and regulations, and the competency 
standards prescribed by the DICT. 
 
SEC. 9. Inclusivity. — In accordance with the provisions of this Act, when 
promulgating policies and implementing programs regarding the provision of 
government information and services over the internet and other platforms or 
12 


channels, agency heads shall consider the impact on persons without access to such 
platforms or channels, and shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that the availability 
of government information and services has not been or shall not be diminished for 
individuals and entities who lack access to the internet; and pursue alternate modes 
of delivery that make government information and services more accessible to 
individuals, either electronically or manually. 
 
 
CHAPTER III 
THE E-GOVERNMENT MASTER PLAN 
 
SEC. 10. E-Government Master Plan. — The DICT shall formulate and 
promote an E-Government Master Plan (EGMP) or its equivalent that will serve as a 
blueprint for the development and enhancement of all electronic Government 
service processes, and workforce to achieve digital transformation in the 
bureaucracy. Supplemental to this, an integrated framework shall be developed to 
provide the government enterprise architecture and operationalize the blueprint 
through programs and projects relating to e-government, in order to fully realize the 
vision, goals and objectives of the Master Plan. The EGMP and the accompanying 
integrated framework shall be reviewed and updated every three (3) years or earlier 
as the need arises, in anticipation of disruptions, emergencies, crises, and new and 
emerging technologies.  
 
In order to effectively implement E-Governance across the government, a 
whole-of-government approach shall be adopted for the formulation and promotion 
of EGMP. This approach shall facilitate engagement primarily with the government 
agencies, instrumentalities, GOCCs, LGUs, Regional Development Councils, ICT 
Councils, technical and standards organizations and other relevant stakeholders 
towards ensuring the full and effective implementation of the country's 
E-Governance Agenda. All E-Government Programs identified herein and, in the 
future, as well as in the ISSP of each government agency, instrumentality, and 
GOCCs shall be subject to mandatory review and monitoring by the DICT in order 
to be aligned with the EGMP and its accompanying integrated framework. 
 
SEC. 11. E-Government Programs. — The DICT shall develop the following 
programs and systems that will be regularly updated in consultation with the 
stakeholders and ensure that such programs and systems are compliant with the 
standards imposed by relevant laws, rules, and regulations relating to data privacy 
and security, including among others and not limited to Republic Act No. 10173: 
a)​ Philippine Government Interoperability Framework. — A Philippine 
government interoperability framework shall guide and govern the basic 
technical and informational interoperability of government ICT systems. Such 
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a framework shall provide shared operations and services of the Philippine 
government, between and among its various agencies, as well as for these 
agencies in dealing with their various constituencies. This shall be reviewed 
and updated regularly, to ensure that this framework is responsive with the 
current needs of the government and aligned with the newly adopted 
standards; 
 
b)​ Records and Knowledge Management Information System. — A records and 
knowledge 
management 
information 
system 
shall 
be 
designed 
to 
systematically and efficiently manage government documents, records and 
knowledge products and services. This includes the digitization of 
paper-based documents, records and knowledge products and services, as 
well as the re-engineering and digitalization of paper-based workflows, from 
creation, dissemination, processing, analysis, tracking, storing verification and 
authentication, and archiving or disposal, while adhering to existing policies, 
laws and internationally-recognized standards and best practices. 
 
A repository and corresponding Secure Application Programming Interfaces 
(APls) shall be created for the common data sets, which include pricing data, 
demographic data, geospatial data, in order to improve publication, sharing 
and utilization of data across the government. The DICT shall ensure that 
such repository shall be in compliance with applicable data privacy laws and 
information security standards, in coordination with the NPC. The DICT shall 
also establish a government data storage and interoperability platform or its 
equivalent to store all information and services that are currently housed in 
the government data center; 
 
c)​ Integrated 
Government 
Network. 
— 
An 
integrated, 
dedicated, 
interconnected, interoperable, secure and resilient government network, to be 
known as the "Integrated Government Network" (IGN) shall be established to 
act as the primary means for the sharing and communication of resources, 
information, and data through digital and electronic platforms across all 
agencies of the government, covering all branches, agencies, instrumentalities, 
and 
offices 
of 
the 
national 
and 
local 
government, 
including 
government-owned and controlled corporations. 
 
Such network shall also act as the government's primary and focal 
information management tool and communications network and the data 
traffic that will be coursed by the government agencies and key stakeholders 
through this network will be exchanged through a designated Government 
Internet 
Protocol 
Exchange 
(G/IPX) 
facility. 
Interconnectivity 
and 
interoperability measures shall be established and maintained between all 
14 


existing internal networks and the IGN. This program shall also cover the 
acquisition and management of internet resources of the government, such as 
internet protocol (IP) addresses, and domain names, among others; 
 
d)​ Integrated Local Government Unit (ILGU) System. — In compliance with the 
immediately preceding paragraph, LGUs shall establish their own portal or 
utilize the ILGU developed by the DICT, its equivalent programs and systems 
thereof: Provided, That LGUs that are unable to establish their own system 
within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act are mandated to utilize the 
ILGU or equivalent programs and systems: Provided, further, That LGUs 
establishing their own portal or those with existing portals shall immediately 
be connected by the DICT to the IGN, pursuant to Section 11, subparagraph 
(c) of this Act: Provided, finally, That the ILGU software or equivalent 
including its necessary infrastructure shall likewise be provided by the DICT 
for the effective use of the ILGU to the unserved and underserved 
municipalities; 
 
e)​ Government Digital Payment Systems for Collection and Disbursement. — 
An internet–based electronic payment facility and gateway that will enable 
citizens and businesses to remit and receive payments electronically or from 
government agencies shall be created. It shall render services through various 
delivery channels, which include debit instructions (ATM accounts), credit 
instructions (credit cards) and mobile wallets (mobile application/SMS). For 
this purpose, the government may, in accordance with applicable laws and 
rules, engage the services of and interconnect with public and private 
payment systems and facilities, among others, consistent with the National 
Retail Payment System Framework of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).  
 
These systems should smoothly interface with the current monitoring and 
accounting systems of the National Treasury; 
 
f)​ Citizen Frontline Delivery Services Platform. — Services that are needed to 
facilitate business and non-business transactions referring to permitting, 
licensing, and the issuance of any privilege, right, reward, clearance, 
authorization, or concession, including frontline services enrolled in the 
existing citizen's charter, whether or not related to business, corresponding 
back-and/support services, and regulatory functions related to permitting, 
licensing, and the issuance of any privilege, right, reward, clearance, 
authorization, or concession shall be made efficient by integrating all agencies 
involved, such as the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Department of 
Foreign Affairs (DFA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), National Bureau of 
Investigation (NBI), Professional Regulation Commission, Department of 
15 


Trade and Industry (DTI), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), BSP, 
Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Bureau of Internal Revenue 
(BIR), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System 
(SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), PAG-IBIG, and Philippine 
Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), into one platform and shall be 
made available in a form of portal, mobile applications and other applicable 
variations thereof. 
 
All other government agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, including LGUs 
which provide frontline services, as defined under Republic Act No. 9485, or 
the "Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007 as amended by Republic Act No. 11032, shall 
file an application for integration with the DICT. All agencies, offices and 
instrumentalities that will be integrated shall establish and maintain measures 
to ensure that such services are accessible and capable of delivery to the 
public through the platform; 
 
g)​ Online Public Service Portal. — Complementing the Citizen Frontline 
Delivery Services Platform, an Online Public Service Portal shall be made 
accessible, through digital platforms, such as the internet and other 
information and communications technologies, to citizens of the Philippines, 
foreign nationals who have been lawfully admitted in the country, and 
businesses organized and existing or operating under the laws and rules of 
the Philippines for purposes consistent with the efficient delivery of public 
services. The Online Public Service Portal shall serve as a helpdesk where 
citizens can request for information and assistance on government frontline 
services, service procedures, and report commendations, appreciation, 
complaints, and feedback. 
 
For the purposes of interoperability, interconnection and harmonization, all 
existing systems or mechanisms, such as 8888 Citizens' Complaint Center, 
government social media channels, established and/or maintained by 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, and LGUs shall be integrated to 
Online Public Service Portal. Likewise, the Online Public Service Portal shall 
be fully integrated with the integrated government network and Records and 
Knowledge Management Information System for real time updating of data 
and information. 
 
To ensure that the public is served efficiently and expeditiously in accordance 
with the objectives of this Act, all national government agencies, offices, and 
instrumentalities, GOCCs, government financial institutions, as well as the 
LGUs, are hereby mandated to cooperate and coordinate with the Presidential 
Management Staff (PMS) and each other to ensure prompt action on the 
16 


concerns received through the Online Public Service Portal and associated 
communication channels. 
 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, access to and use of the resources, 
information, and data through the portal shall be in accordance with all 
relevant laws, rules, and regulations on data and information privacy and the 
pertinent rules on confidentiality of government information, such as 
Republic Act No. 11032; 
 
h)​ Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS). — To ensure 
fiscal discipline, fund allocation efficiency and operational efficiency in the 
delivery of public services, an IFMIS shall be jointly developed by the DBM, 
Department of Finance (DOF), Commission on Audit (COA), and DICT. This 
shall harmonize all existing financial systems in the government to enable 
real-time, online accounting, monitoring, and control of obligations and 
disbursements and directly link these to cash management for a more 
effective financial control and accountability. This shall facilitate the 
generation and monitoring of vital information on all aspects of government 
financial transactions to support timely and informed decisions across the 
bureaucracy. 
 
i)​ Procurement System. — A modernized Philippine Government Procurement 
System shall be developed and implemented to provide an auditable online 
system that encompasses all procurement and supply chain management 
processes involving bidding, contract management, delivery, acceptance and 
payment for services or supplies: Provided, That government agencies, offices, 
and instrumentalities granted by law and by their respective Charters with 
fiscal and administrative autonomy in the performance of their constitutional 
and statutory mandates, shall independently develop, maintain, undertake, 
supervise and regulate their own Procurement Systems and shall only be 
required to coordinate and report to the DICT for purposes of alignment of 
policy objectives; 
 
j)​ Human Capital Management Information System. — A Human Capital 
Management Information System (HCMIS) shall be developed in order to 
eliminate paper-based and manual human resource (HR)-related processes. 
Consistent with the applicable civil service laws and rules, HCMIS shall 
automate the following HR-related functions in the government: recruitment 
and selection, appointment preparation and submission, personnel records 
keeping, salary, benefits and payroll administration, leave management, 
learning and development, rewards and recognition and performance 
management, among others. Further, this system shall utilize analytics in 
17 


order to provide insights necessary for strategic HR functions such as 
performance management, forecasting, promotion, succession planning, 
among 
others: 
Provided, 
That 
government 
agencies, 
offices, 
and 
instrumentalities granted by law and by their respective Charters with fiscal 
and administrative autonomy in the performance of their constitutional and 
statutory mandates, including those that have been exempted from the Salary 
Standardization Law and have been granted authority to formulate their own 
classification systems, shall be allowed to independently develop, maintain, 
undertake, supervise and regulate their ownHCMIS and shall only be 
required to coordinate and report to the DICT for purposes of alignment of 
policy objectives; and 
 
k)​ Government Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Program. — The DICT shall 
encourage and promote the use of Government PKI digital certificates that 
shall allow paperless transactions and remote approval of signatories in the 
government. This would reduce red tape, therefore enforcing Ease of Doing 
Business. The adoption of PKI aims to strengthen e-government security 
through its implementation in all government offices and supply of digital 
certificates to the citizens. The PKI digital certificates shall ensure the security 
of digital data and transactions by providing the following feature: 
i)​
Authentication to prevent unauthorized disclosure of information; 
ii)​
Confidentiality to ensure that a message shall remain unmodified 
during transmission; 
iii)​
Integrity to validate that the senders are exactly who they say they are; 
and 
iv)​
Non-repudiation to ensure non-deniability of actions by any party. 
 
SEC. 12, Privacy Impact Assessment. — A mandatory Privacy Impact 
Assessment (PIA), in accordance with relevant NPC, guidelines shall be conducted 
on the proposed systems involved in processing personal data included in the EMP 
prior to its publication to identify privacy risks and establish the appropriate 
controls framework, in line with existing data privacy and cybersecurity standards. 
 
SEC. 13. Minimum Information Security Standards Compliance. — The DICT 
shall establish and implement minimum Information Security Standards that are 
aligned with internationally accepted standards as well as relevant laws, rules and 
regulations including the information security standards and policies promulgated 
by the DICT, shall be established and implemented Such standards shall cover all 
ICT systems used for E-Government. 
 
SEC. 14. Protection of Government Critical Information Infrastructure (CI). 
— The DICT, in coordination with relevant government agencies and stakeholders, 
18 


shall issue guidelines for the protection of government CIl identified in the EGMP. 
All government CIls shall be subjected to Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration 
Testing (VAPT) before deploying such infrastructure. Further, an annual risk and 
security assessment shall be conducted at least once a year. 
 
SEC. 15. Public Service Continuity Plan. — All ICT systems and 
infrastructure covered in the priority programs of the EGMP as well as ISSPs shall be 
included as part of the Public Service Continuity Plan (PSCP) of all government 
agencies and instrumentalities, for the purpose of ensuring the continuous delivery 
of essential agency functions, notwithstanding any emergency or disruptions, 
consistent with the existing issuances of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and 
Management Council (NDRRMC) and Civil Service Commission (CSC). 
 
SEC. 16. National E-Goverment Index and E-Goverment Maturity Survey. 
— The DICT shall, in coordination with other government agencies, establish a 
national E-Government Development Index which provides globally competitive 
E-Government indicators, definitions and statistical standards. A manual for 
measuring E-Government indicators shall be also developed to institutionalize the 
framework of measurement. 
 
To support the establishment of this index and to assess the ICT readiness and 
maturity level of government agencies, an E-Government Maturity survey shall be 
conducted annually. 
 
The results of this survey shall primarily be used for the formulation and 
updating of EGMP. 
 
SEC. 17. Free Access to the Internet for the Public. — Republic Act No. 10929 
or the "Free Internet Access in Public Places Act" shall complement this Act. 
 
To further promote knowledge-building among citizens and enable them to 
participate and compete in the evolving information and communications age, the 
Free Public Internet Access Program shall likewise provide, through its Free Public 
Internet Access Fund (FPIAF), the associated or related computer systems and 
programs, databases and/or management and information systems, including the 
provisions of core transmission and distribution networks to support the said 
programs, subject to compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations. 
 
 
CHAPTER IV 
THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITES AND E-BULLETIN BOARDS 
19 


SEC. 18. The Government E-Bulletin Board. — The government and all its 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities, including local governments, shall 
continuously improve their existing website and establish an e-Bulletin Board for 
purposes of information dissemination. The website shall be interactive, 
well-designed, functional, and mobile-friendly. Security and accessibility of the 
website shall be ensured. Website content shall be regularly updated. 
 
SEC. 19. Information Dissemination Through the Website and Board. — All 
government offices, agencies, and instrumentalities which are mandated by the laws 
or rules to publish or otherwise disseminate notices, documents, or other 
information intended for public consumption and information shall, in addition to 
the traditional modes of publication, publish such notices, documents, or other 
information on the website and e-bulletin board and other verified official 
government social media accounts. 
 
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act and other relevant laws, 
publication of notices, documents, or any other information on the website and 
e-bulletin board shall be construed as sufficient notice to the public for purposes of 
compliance with laws and rules requiring publication: Provided, That such website or 
bulletin board is accessible at such point in time where accessibility is claimed. For 
purposes of this provision, the start of publication shall be the date on which the 
notice, document, or information was first uploaded and made accessible to the 
public. 
 
SEC. 20. Minimum Standards for Government Websites and Information 
Portals. - The following shall be the minimum standards for government websites 
and information portals: 
a)​ It shall include direct and easily identifiable links to: (i) description of the 
mission, statutory authority, and the organizational structure of the agency; 
and (i) commonly asked questions and the corresponding answers, and other 
common matters of public concern; 
 
b)​ It shall include direct and easily identifiable links to the relevant and 
applicable portals for the delivery of public services; 
 
c)​ It shall include the ability to provide access to public information via an API; 
 
d)​ It shall include an up-to-date government directory containing the contact 
information, such as emails, telephone numbers, and the likes, of the offices 
and officials within an agency; and 
 
20 


e)​ It shall be compliant with the Philippine Web Accessibility policy, or any 
relevant and updated issuance from the DICT. 
 
 
CHAPTER V 
SECURITY AND PRIVACY 
 
SEC. 21. Data and Information Security. — All resources, information, or 
data stored on or transmitted through the government information systems and all 
networks interconnected to and interoperable with it, the portals, and websites shall 
be kept secure and free from interference or unauthorized access that can hamper or 
otherwise compromise the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the 
information and communication technology assets. 
 
Access to and use of the resources, information, and data on the government 
information systems shall be limited to the government and its duly authorized 
officers and agents, in accordance with all relevant laws, rules, and regulations on 
data and information privacy and the pertinent rules on confidentiality of 
government information: Provided, That the data used by all concerned government 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities with access to information systems and used 
data stored therein shall be destroyed or disposed of in accordance with acceptable 
standards and guidelines existing under the law for disposal of data upon 
fulfillment of its purpose. 
 
Any person who shall knowingly commit an act which results in the 
compromise of the security and integrity of the government information systems 
and all networks interconnected to and interoperable with it to the detriment of the 
government and the public shall incur criminal liability in accordance with the 
provisions of applicable and relevant penal laws. 
 
SEC. 22. Responsibility of the National and Local Government. — All 
agencies, offices, and instrumentalities of the national and local government under 
this Act shall be responsible for: 
a)​ Providing information security protections commensurate with the risk and 
magnitude of the harm resulting from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, 
disruption, modification, or destruction of information collected or 
maintained by or on behalf of the agency; and information systems used or 
operated by an agency or by a contractor of an agency or other organization 
on behalf of an agency; 
 
21 


b)​ Determining the levels of information security appropriate to protect such 
information and information systems and implementing the same in 
coordination with the DICT; 
 
c)​ Periodically testing and evaluating information security controls and 
techniques to ensure that they are effectively implemented; 
 
d)​ Complying with the requirements of pertinent laws on information security 
and privacy, related policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines, including 
information security standards promulgated by the DICT and information 
security standards and guidelines for national security systems issued in 
accordance with law and as directed by the President of the Philippines; 
 
e)​ Ensuring that information security management processes are integrated with 
agency strategic and operational planning processes; and 
 
f)​ Adopting 
the 
Privacy-by-Design, 
Privacy 
Engineering, 
and 
Privacy-by-Default principles in developing, implementing and deploying 
systems, processes, software applications, and services throughout the 
processing of personal data. 
 
SEC. 23. Master Data Management. — In order to have access to the most 
updated data, the government shall establish and maintain measures to ensure that 
the parent government agency responsible for a set of data shall own, maintain, 
update, and protect the data while giving access via secure Application 
Programming Interface (API) to other agencies. 
 
 
CHAPTER VI 
PARTICIPATION OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR 
 
SEC. 24. Government Cooperation with the Private Sector. — Nothing in this 
Act shall prevent the government, both national and local, from entering into 
contracts, agreements, or partnerships with the private sector to provide various 
resources, assets, and services in order to comply or enhance compliance with the 
provisions of this Act. 
 
Any and all contracts or agreements with the private sector within the context 
of this Act shall be subject to the laws and rules on public accountability and 
transparency and good governance. 
 
 
22 


CHAPTER VII 
THE PHILIPPINE INFOSTRUCTURE MANAGEMENT CORPORATION 
 
SEC. 25. The Philippine Infostructure Management Corporation. — For the 
purpose of ensuring proper and efficient operations and management of the ICT 
assets of the government and faster and effective implementation of programs, 
activities, and projects related to connectivity, data center, cloud services which 
include: infrastructure, platform, software and development of effective solutions 
delivery and enterprise architecture for digitalization initiatives of government 
instrumentalities, there is hereby established a body corporate to be known as the 
Philippine Infostructure Management Corporation (PIMC), which shall be 
government-owned and controlled corporation attached to the DICT. The legal 
existence of the PIMC shall be for a period of fifty (50) years from the date of the 
approval of this Act. The PIMC shall be subject to the rules and regulations as the 
DICT may impose from time to time. 
 
SEC. 26. Powers and Functions. — To carry out its main purpose and in 
accordance with applicable laws and rules, and in addition to the powers granted to 
a corporation under Republic Act No. 11232 or the Revised Corporation Code of the 
Philippines, the PIMC shall have the following functions and powers: 
a)​ Implement infrastructure programs such as the National Broadband Plan, 
Free WiFi for All, and expansion of the National Government Data Centers 
and Government Cloud; 
 
b)​ Manage ICT assets of the government including the NGAs, LGUs, the Courts 
and the Congress; 
 
c)​ Prescribe, repeal, and alter its own by-laws; 
 
d)​ Determine its operating policies, and issue such rules and regulations as may 
be necessary to achieve its main purpose; 
 
e)​ Adopt, alter and use a corporate seal; 
 
f)​ Acquire and own real and personal property, and sell, mortgage or otherwise 
dispose of the same; 
 
g)​ Sue and be sued, enter into contracts, and borrow money from both local and 
foreign sources: Provided, That such loans shall be incurred only upon 
favorable recommendation of the Board and approval by the President of the 
Philippines; 
23 


h)​ Create an enabling environment to foster innovation to include the promotion 
and support for emerging technologies; 
 
i)​ Hold, own, purchase, acquire, sell or otherwise invest, or reinvest in stocks, 
bonds or other securities capable of giving the PIMC a reasonably assured 
income sufficient to support its activities; and 
 
j)​ Provide ICT counseling and technical services to government and private 
entities: Provided, That for this purpose, the PIMC may contract the services of 
private consultants. 
 
SEC. 27. Board of Directors. — The corporate powers and functions of the 
PIMC shall be vested in and exercised by a Board of Directors that shall be composed 
of the following: 
a)​ The Secretary of the DICT as Ex-Officio Chairperson; 
b)​ The Secretary of the DBM, or his duly designated Undersecretary, as ex officio 
Vice-Chairperson; 
c)​ The Chief Executive Officer; and 
d)​ As Members: 
i)​
The Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission 
(NTC), or duly designated Deputy Commissioner; 
ii)​
The Commissioner of the NPC or duly designated Deputy Privacy 
Commissioner; 
iii)​
The 
Director-General 
of 
ARTA 
or 
duly 
designated 
Deputy 
Director-General; 
iv)​
One (1) representative from the information technology and business 
process outsourcing industry; 
v)​
One (1) representative from the telecommunications industry; and 
vi)​
One 1) representative from the LGUs who must not be an elective 
official. 
 
The representatives from the private sector and the LGUs shall be appointed 
by the President of the Philippines from the shortlist submitted by the Governance 
Commission for GOCCS (GCG): Provided, That the representatives from the private 
sector shall be appointed only upon a favorable recommendation from the DICT, and 
the representative from the LGUs shall be appointed only upon a favorable 
recommendation from the DICT and the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government. The representatives from the private sectors and LGUs shall be subject 
to the Fit and Proper Rule issued by the GCG. The representatives from the private 
sector shall be at least thirty-five (35) years of age, possess demonstrated 
administrative skills and ability in the field of ICT, and with a minimum of ten (10) 
years of professional experience in the field of ICT. 
24 


The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corporation, who will be designated 
by the President of the Philippines upon the recommendation of the Board, shall 
execute and administer the policies and resolutions approved by the Board of 
Directors, prepare its agenda, and direct and supervise the operations and 
management of the Corporation. He shall have direct control and supervision of the 
business of the PIMC in all matters which are not prohibited under this Act or by the 
by-laws specifically reserved to be done by the Board of Directors. The CEO shall, 
subject to the approval of the Board, in cases of approval of appointments to 
managerial positions and above, and the confirmation of the Board of Appointments 
below managerial level, appoint the personnel of the Corporation, remove, suspend 
or otherwise discipline them for cause, and prescribe their duties and qualifications, 
in accordance with existing civil service laws, rules and regulations, to ensure that 
only competent and qualified personnel may be employed. 
 
All members of the Board shall serve for a term of seven years. 
 
The Chairperson and the members of the Board shall act as the heads of such 
operating departments as may be set up by the Board. The Chairperson shall have 
authority, exercisable at his discretion, to determine from time to time the 
organizational divisions to be headed by each member serving full time and to make 
the corresponding shifts in designations pursuant thereto. The members of the 
Board, except for the ex-officio members, shall receive per diem every meeting in 
accordance with existing rules and regulations. 
 
The Chairperson of the Board shall be assisted by an Executive Vice- 
Chairperson and one or more Vice-Chairpersons who shall be chosen and may be 
removed by the Board of Directors. The salaries of the Vice- Chairpersons shall be 
fixed by the Board of Directors with the approval of the President of the Philippines, 
and in accordance with the Compensation and Position Classification System by the 
GCG. 
 
SEC. 28. Authorized Capital Stock. — The PIMC shall have an authorized 
capital stock of Five billion pesos (P5,000,000,000.00), divided into five million 
(5,000,000) shares of common stock with a par value of One thousand Philippine 
pesos (P1,000.00) per share, which shall be fully subscribed by the government. 
 
The funding for the purpose shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act until the authorized capital as herein required has been fully 
paid within a period of five (5) years. 
 
SEC. 29. Personnel; Cost of Administration. — The Board of Directors shall 
provide for an organization and staff of officers and employees necessary to carry 
25 


out the functions of the PIMC, fix their compensation, and appoint and remove such 
officers and employees for cause. The PIMC officers and employees shall be subject 
to the rules and regulations issued by the CSC and in accordance with Republic Act 
No. 10149 or the "GOCC Governance Act of 2011". The wages must be comparable 
with the prevailing rate in the private sector. The Board of Directors shall 
recommend to the CSC rules and regulations for the recruitment, appointment, 
compensation, administration, conduct, promotion and removal of all PIMC officers 
and employees under a strict merit system and prepare and conduct examinations 
under the supervision of said Commission. 
 
To fully implement the provisions of this Act capacitating government 
agencies in terms of ICT manpower, a new class of ICT position shall be created 
subject to evaluation and approval of the DBM and the corresponding qualification 
standards according to merit, skills, and experience subject to CSC evaluation and 
approval, or in lieu thereof, the equivalency exam administered by the DICT as 
authorized under Presidential Decree 1408 conferring civil service eligibility on 
electronic data processing (EDP) specialist. 
 
The administrative expenses of the PIMC during any single fiscal year shall 
not in any case exceed thirty-five percent (35%) of its total assets. 
 
SEC. 30. Legal Counsel. — The Government Corporate Counsel (GCC) shall 
be the ex-officio legal adviser of the PIMC. Any provision of law to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the PIMC shall have its own Legal Department, the chief and 
members of which shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The composition, 
budget and operating expenses of the Office of the Legal Counsel and the salaries 
and traveling expenses of its officers and employees shall be fixed by the Board of 
Directors and paid by the PIMC. 
 
SEC. 31. Removal of Members. — The President of the Philippines, in 
consultation with the GCC, may remove the Chairperson or any member of the 
Board appointed by him. In addition to any and all recognized causes for 
termination under applicable civil service laws and rules, the Chairperson or 
member may, in any of the cases hereunder enumerated, be civilly liable for any 
damage that may have been suffered by the corporation. 
a)​ Mismanagement, grave abuse of discretion, infidelity in the conduct of 
fiduciary relations, or gross neglect in the performance of duties; 
 
b)​ Dishonesty, corruption, or any act involving moral turpitude; and 
 
c)​ Any act or performance tending to prejudice or impair the substantial rights 
of the government and the corporation's stockholders. 
26 


 
SEC. 32. Timeline of Organization of the PIMC. — The PIMC shall be 
instituted and organized within one (1) year from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
THE ICT ACADEMY 
SEC. 33. Establishment of the ICT Academy and Its Purposes. — The DICT 
shall reorganize and restructure its ICT Literacy and Competency Development 
Bureau in order to establish and develop rules and policies for the operations of an 
ICT Academy, herein after referred to as Academy that shall have the following 
purposes: 
a)​ To be the National Center of Excellence for ICT Education; 
b)​ To promote education for purposes of enhancing the nation's labor capacity in 
relation to the most relevant and updated data on local and international skill 
supply and demand; 
c)​ To promote, foster and conduct quality ICT education for the capacity 
development of all citizens; 
d)​ To foster and support the strategic goals of the national ICT development 
agenda, as provided in Republic Act No. 10844 through data collection and 
globally competitive ICT skills development programs and for other 
purposes; 
e)​ To conduct programs and activities for the capacity development of all 
citizens to be able to gain globally competitive skills and drive inclusive 
economic growth; 
f)​ Create and foster partnerships with different persons, entities, and institutions 
for purposes of developing and updating the Academy's resources, its ICT 
curriculum, modules, and pedagogical approaches; 
g)​ To promote gender parity through technology education; 
h)​ To ensure continuous learning and development of educators on current ICT 
trends; 
i)​ To promote immersion of learners to industry partners whether it be private 
or in the public sector; 
j)​ To establish and implement a scholarship system offered to qualified 
individuals in training and programs under the Academy or other activities 
approved by the DICT Secretary; 
k)​ To facilitate the screening, admission process and monitoring of all admitted 
scholars; 
l)​ To spearhead academic research and development related to ICT; 
m)​To regularly assess the state of the country in terms of comparative ICT skills 
and performance and suggest responsive policies to address concerns; and 
27 


n)​ In collaboration with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), Technical and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), 
SUCs, and local universities and colleges, develop curricula and courses for 
learners and students on ICT, to upskill the ICT proficiency and competency 
of individuals. 
 
SEC. 34. Satellite Units. — The Academy may establish satellite units in the 
existing DICT offices in particular regions, provinces or municipalities in the country. 
To ensure broader access to quality ICT training and skills development and to 
further enhance the capability of the Academy to attain its purposes, additional 
satellite units may be established upon determination of the DICT and in 
coordination with the CHED and the TESDA. 
 
SEC. 35. Access and Admission. — The Academy shall be accessible to all 
citizens regardless of skill, age, gender, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, 
physical disability, political opinion or affiliation. 
 
The DICT, through the Academy, shall promulgate an admission process that 
is equitable and inclusive to ensure that citizens shall have equal access to ICT 
education and that the broadest base of the citizenry shall have ICT education. 
 
SEC. 36. Finances. — The operations of the Academy shall be financially 
supported by a budget from the DICT, reasonable fees and dues collected, as well as 
through donations, in accordance with applicable laws and rules. 
 
Donations collected shall be held in a fund, to be administered in trust by a 
Committee created by the DICT for such purpose. The fund shall in no case be 
impaired. Donations received shall be used only for the purposes for which they 
were donated, subject to accounting and auditing rules and regulations. 
 
SEC. 37. Partnerships. — The Academy may form partnerships with different 
educational institutions, technical and standards organizations, and private entities 
for purposes of achieving the goals of the Academy. 
 
Partnerships may be in the form of research collaborations, resource sharing, 
module and training development, faculty exchange standards development, 
training collaborations, internships, apprenticeships, and other similar forms. 
 
All partnerships to be entered into by the Academy shall be in accordance 
with the provisions of this law, and approved by the DICT Secretary. There shall be 
no disbursement of any funds by the Academy or the government for the purpose of 
establishing these partnerships. 
28 


The Academy shall be empowered to accredit courses offered by educational 
institutions, private or public, following strict competency standards and guidelines 
developed by the DICT. 
 
 
CHAPTER IX 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 38. Transitory Provisions. — In accordance with the objectives of this 
Act, the DICT, in coordination with relevant government agencies and 
instrumentalities, as well as private stakeholders and civic organizations, shall study, 
formulate, and implement a master plan for the transition of the government and its 
provision of services in the digital age. 
 
All new positions created under this Act shall be prioritized, subject to the 
review and approval of the DBM. Moreover, until such time that the government 
shall have completed the transition in accordance with the objectives of this Act, all 
government activities covered under this Act shall be conducted in the manner 
provided for under existing laws and rules. 
 
The government shall complete the transition within a period of three (3) 
years from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 
39. 
Regular 
Status 
Reports. 
— 
All 
agencies, 
offices, 
and 
instrumentalities of the national and local governments covered under this Act shall 
submit to the President, both Houses of Congress, and DICT, an annual report on the 
status of implementation of this Act. These reports shall likewise be made publicly 
available on and through the e-portals. 
 
The status report shall include the following: 
a)​ The status of the implementation of electronic government initiatives in 
accordance to its approved ICT Plan; 
b)​ Compliance by the agency with this Act; and 
c)​ Performance 
in 
delivering 
programs through the e-government to 
constituencies. 
 
SEC. 40. E-Government Interoperability Fund. — An E-Government 
Interoperability Fund (EIF) is hereby created as a special account in the general fund 
to be managed by the DICT for the implementation of the EGMP, E-Government 
Programs and Government Websites, including ILGU system, among others, which 
will be sourced from the Spectrum User's Fees collected by the NIC, subject to 
applicable laws, rules, and regulations. 
29 


 
SEC. 41. Appropriations and Funding. — The amount necessary to cover the 
initial implementation of this Act at the national government level shall be charged 
against the current year's appropriations of the DICT, NTC, NPC, and such other 
national government agencies, offices, or instrumentality concerned. Thereafter, such 
sums as maybe needed for its continued implementation shall be included in the 
annual General Appropriations Act, and in the corporate operating budget of the 
PIMC 
 
The DICT is also authorized to receive grants and donations for the 
implementation of this Act, subject to the existing budgeting, accounting, auditing, 
and other pertinent laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines. 
 
The amounts necessary to implement this Act in the local government level 
shall be charged against the funds of the local government unit concerned. 
 
SEC. 42. Application of RA No. 11312. — All ICT employees across all 
government agencies and instrumentalities, providing technical support to the 
implementation of all E-Government Programs in their respective agencies, shall be 
covered by RA No. 11312, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, 
Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Government, Amending for 
the Purpose Republic Act No. 8439. 
 
SEC. 43. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within one hundred-eighty 
(180) from the effectivity of this Act, the DICT, in coordination with relevant offices, 
agencies, and instrumentalities of the national and local government, shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to properly and efficiently 
implement the provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 44. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on E-Governance. — 
There shall be created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on E-Governance 
(COCEG) which shall monitor and ensure the effective implementation of this Act. It 
shall determine weaknesses and loopholes in the law, recommend the necessary 
remedial legislation or administrative measures and perform such other duties and 
functions as may be necessary to attain the objectives of this Act. 
 
The JCOCEG shall be composed of three (3) members from the Senate and 
three (3) members from the House of Representatives, in addition to the Chairperson 
of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the Chairperson of the 
House of Representatives Committee on Information and Communications 
Technology: Provided, That one (1) member of each chamber's nominees shall come 
from the ranks of the minority party. 
30 


The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the 
Chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Information and 
Communications Technology shall act as co-Chairpersons of the JCOCEG. The 
minority members nominated by both the Senate and the House of Representatives 
shall act as co-Vice Chairpersons. The Secretariat of the JCOCEG shall come from the 
existing Secretariat personnel of the Committee on Science and Technology of the 
Senate and the Committee on Information and Communications Technology of the 
House of Representatives. The JCOCEG shall have its own independent counsel. 
 
The JCOCEG shall exist for a period not exceeding five (5) years from the 
effectivity of this Act. Thereafter, its oversight functions shall be exercised by the 
Senate Committee on Science and Technology and the House of Representatives 
Committee on Information and Communications Technology, acting separately. 
 
SEC. 45. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the validity of 
the remaining provisions of this Act. 
 
SEC. 46. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, letters of 
instruction and other presidential issuances which are incompatible or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed accordingly. 
 
SEC. 47. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved, 
31