The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is advocating for the passage of the Magna Carta for IT Professionals to enhance the compensation, benefits, and recognition for IT workers in the government sector. DICT Secretary Henry Aguda emphasized that this legislative measure is essential for advancing the digitalization agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
In a statement released on Thursday, Aguda highlighted the importance of supporting government IT workers to drive the digital transformation in the public sector. “This key legislative bill seeks to boost compensation, benefits, and professional recognition for the dedicated ICT workforce,” he said.
Aguda made a commitment to prioritize the passage of the Magna Carta for IT Professionals during the Program Convergence Budgeting for Public Financial Management Systems and Medium-Term ICT Harmonization Initiative Steering Committee Strategic Planning on April 3. He urged government agencies to help push the bill forward, vowing to work tirelessly to ensure its passage.
Aguda noted that investing in the people behind digitalization is crucial for improving government efficiency and public service delivery. He stressed that the success of digital transformation goes beyond technology: “It is not just about technology. Technology is an enabler, it is a tool — 10 percent technology, 10 percent processes, but 80 percent of it is people.”
The DICT Secretary’s vision aligns with the goal of fostering a digital-first economy, ensuring inclusive technology access, promoting data privacy and protection, and enhancing transparency in governance.
“If digital is the future and information is the new oil, then we need the Magna Carta,” Aguda stated, underscoring the importance of this bill in shaping the future of the country’s digital landscape. He also called for a ‘digital bayanihan’—a collaborative effort between the DICT and various stakeholders—to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital revolution.
