Q: What preparations have you been making for the Philippine Independence Day Celebration
As part of the activities to commemorate the 108th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12, 2006, the Philippine Embassy will be hosting a National Day Reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on June 8. The Embassy has invited members of the Diplomatic Corps, Korean government officials, businesspersons, Filipino community leaders, and other friends and well-wishers of the Philippines to take part in this significant occasion.
The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Seoul, an agency attached to the Embassy that oversees the welfare of Filipino workers in South Korea, will also be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Migrant Workers Day on 11 June at the Hangang Park in Yeongdongpo. Various activities, including medical consultations, religious services and cultural presentations, have been lined up for our migrant workers, which, according to the Korean Ministry of Justice, number approximately 40,000 as of December 2005. The Filipino Migrant Workers Day honors our fellowmen who work abroad and in the process contribute significantly to the stability of our country through remittances and investments, as well as help the economy of the host country.
Q: Please elaborate on the goals of the Philippines in the ICT field (such as e- Government).
The Philippine Department of Transportation and Communication and the Philippine Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) are the two agencies tasked to implement the country's ICT goals. The Philippines recognizes the high-growth potential of ICT and e-commerce. In the year 2000, the country passed the e- Commerce Act which provides the appropriate environment for encouraging the growth of e-commerce in the country and mandates all government agencies to make their services available online.
The Information Technology and ECommerce Council has come up with the vision of an ePhilippines - an "electronically enabled society where citizens live in an environment that will promote access to technologies and provide quality education, efficient government service, greater sources of livelihood and, ultimately, a better way of life."
According to the CICT, the ePhilippines vision is anchored on five equally important strategies. These are to develop the country as a world-class ICT services provider, provide government services to stakeholders online, provide affordable Internet access to all segments of the population, develop an ICT-enabled workforce, and create an enabling legal and regulatory environment.
Q: What is your opinion on Korean DMB or WiBro products as well as their possibility for adaptation in the Philippines
The Philippines welcomes and actually offers fertile opportunities for Korean DMB and WiBro products. The Philippines stands to benefit from such technological breakthroughs because it is an archipelago. Linking the islands in a seamless fashion is a primary concern for local and national governments in order to achieve a more efficient and effective delivery of services. The establishment of reliable networks of communication will also ensure a smooth and dynamic flow of information and contribute to the creation of an atmosphere conducive to businesses.
However, compared to South Korea, access to infrastructure in the Philippines is not as readily available. This is where South Korea can come in; by helping the Philippines first enhance its IT infrastructure, South Korea will also open doors for investment. Many Korean companies have already recognized this potential and set up camp in various towns and cities throughout the archipelago. As these ventures prove their foresight and wisdom through the surefire returns that roll in, I expect more will follow.
Filipinos are known to be loyal patrons of mobile phones. With the helpful Short Message Service, mobile phones have gained unprecedented popularity during the last six or seven years: the Philippines generates one of the biggest traffic of text messages worldwide. Perhaps as the Philippines treads a path similar to South Korea's and becomes more digitized, the use of DMB and WiBro will gain greater ground.
Q: How high is the current level of ICT development in the Philippines
Internet activity is, for now, largely limited to urban areas, intensely so in academic centers. However, it is expected to grow as the public becomes more aware of the myriad benefits offered by a strong ICT environment. According to a survey conducted by the United Nations, the Philippines is among only eight countries, including Canada, France, Ireland and Japan, that provide citizens with some wireless government sites.
I agree with the analysis of the CICT that the drive and skills of the Filipino people provide the country the comparative advantage needed to compete in the global economy. The Philippines has a 94% literacy rate. English, the language of the Internet, is spoken by 72% of the population, making the Philippines the thirdlargest English-speaking nation in the world.
Q: What do you think about ICT collaboration between Korea and the Philippines In what areas would the Philippines like to cooperate with Korea in terms of ICT
The further development of requisite infrastructure is perhaps the main area where South Korea and the Philippines can closely collaborate. The Philippines is rich in talented, multi-lingual and determined people who easily adapt to the challenges of a globalizing world. South Korea, meanwhile, offers a genuine model for IT growth. I believe that if we are able to successfully explore and properly utilize our complementarities, we will reap immense advantages from tapping each other's synergies.
For example, South Korean companies can invest in hardware and IT facilities in Manila while our professionals can supply the manpower. Filipinos are well educated, skilled in software development and able to understand cultural nuances. Our graduates can concentrate on language, design and content as your firms focus on strategic niche-carving and expansion.
Q: How high would you rate Korea's ICT level in general
I will give South Korea the highest mark. I was amazed by South Korea's advanced level of ICT development when I came here four months ago and still continue to be awed by South Korea's newfound role as a worldwide IT leader.
Because of South Korea's prominent role as an IT hub, I believe that it also carries significant responsibilities in narrowing the digital divide in the region.
As we strive for an East Asian community characterized by less borders and greater collaboration, the role of IT in bridging physical distances will be more pronounced. South Korea will undoubtedly play a big part in the eintegration of the East Asian region in both commerce and governance.
South Korea can do this by intensifying its development cooperation activities with partner nations such as the Philippines. For instance, both nations will profit from regular people-to-people exchanges, sharing of experiences and technology transfers.
Q: Please tell us briefly about the Philippine government's ICT policy.
Perhaps a very good way to close this interview is by quoting the vision of the CICT. The CICT strives for the advancement of an ePhilippines: its mandate is to ensure that Filipinos will reap the benefits of an e-enabled society, where everyone has access to the Internet, where there are equal opportunities for jobs and livelihood, where there is a competitive business environment conducive to investments, and where online government services are delivered directly to its citizens.
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