SEN. Bong Go highlighted the transformative potential of Senate Bill (SB) 2781, also known as the E-Governance Bill, during his co-sponsorship speech.
On Wednesday, he said that the proposed legislation aimed to modernize government operations digitally, making services more accessible, transparent and efficient.
“I filed Senate Bill 194 because I believe that with e-governance we are not just embracing new technology; we are also enhancing government's transparency, efficiency and accessibility,” he said.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence 'Bong' Go (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate Social Media Unit)
“This bill represents a crucial step toward modernizing our governmental operations and ensuring that our institutions are not just efficient but also resilient in the face of evolving challenges,” Go said, pointing to the need for adaptation in the digital age.
Go laid out the bill's central goal of making government services more accessible to ordinary Filipinos, particularly workers, fishermen, farmers, students, and those seeking livelihoods.
Go directly referenced the social contract theory, which he used to emphasize the government's duty to deliver services to the public.
“When this Republic was established more than a century ago, it was founded on the basic principle that people had agreed to establish a government that will serve, protect and advance the welfare of the people.
“The Filipinos pledged to pay their taxes, for example, to support government operations. The government, in return, is bound to deliver various services to our people. In two words, we call this social contract,” Go said.
As one of the measure's authors and co-sponsors, Go thanked Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for principally sponsoring the bill, pointing out that the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the urgent need for such reforms.
Go underscored how e-governance can improve government transparency, efficiency and accessibility.
He cited the benefits of transitioning to an electronic system, including streamlining processes, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and providing faster services to citizens.
He also touched on the potential to cut administrative costs and reduce opportunities for corruption.
“By transitioning to an electronic system, we can streamline government processes, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and provide faster, more efficient services to our citizens,” Go said.
He elaborated on how e-governance would allow citizens to easily access public services, such as permits, tax payments and social service applications.
One of the other key features of the proposed e-governance initiative is enhanced data security.
Go highlighted that a digital framework would ensure the safety of important government records, reducing the risk of loss or damage.
“Moreover, e-governance fosters better data management and security. With a digital framework, we can ensure that important records are kept safe and are less susceptible to loss or damage,” he said.
The proposed bill, which includes establishing an E-Governance Academy, aims to institutionalize this shift, allowing the Philippines to keep pace with technological advancements and better serve the public.
Through this measure, Go believes that the government can meet the evolving needs of the people while enhancing transparency, reducing corruption and improving service delivery.
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