President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has signed Republic Act (RA) 12254, a law institutionalizing the transition to e-governance to establish a secure, efficient, and digitally integrated government. The measure, signed on Sept. 5, applies to all branches of government, local government units (LGUs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), and government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs), including offices abroad.
The law covers both public-facing services and back-end operations, such as data sharing and inter-agency coordination for policy-making, planning, and decision-making. “Nothing in this Act shall be construed to derogate from the fiscal and administrative autonomy and independence of government entities,” it states.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will lead the implementation of RA 12254, ensuring ICT projects align with the National ICT Development Agenda and the E-Government Master Plan under RA 10844. Within a year, the government will establish a unified E-Governance Project Management Office (EGov UPMO) to oversee ICT projects across agencies.
The DICT is tasked with formulating an updated E-Government Master Plan (EGMP), which will serve as the blueprint for digital transformation in government processes and workforce. This includes programs such as the Citizen Frontline Delivery Services Platform, electronic local government unit (eLGU) system, digital payment systems, online public service portals, and the Philippine Digital Health System.
To safeguard personal data, the DICT will conduct Privacy Impact Assessments and prescribe minimum information security standards aligned with global best practices. Guidelines for the protection of critical information infrastructure will also be issued.
The law also strengthens the free public Internet access program through the Free Public Internet Access Fund (FPIAF), which will provide systems, networks, and databases to support digital literacy and connectivity, especially in underserved areas.
Government agencies and LGUs are mandated to enhance their websites and maintain e-Bulletin Boards for timely information dissemination. “All resources, information, or data stored in or transmitted through the government information systems and all networks interconnected to and interoperable with it… shall be kept secure and free from interference or unauthorized access,” RA 12254 states.
To ensure inclusivity, both public telecommunications entities and private internet service providers will be allowed to partner with the government to build and operate networks in unserved areas.
The DICT will also restructure its ICT Literacy and Competency Development Bureau to establish an ICT Academy for E-Governance.
RA 12254, released to the public on Thursday, will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.