REGION I DIGITAL STRATEGY 2012-2016

A Proposal I.Background / Rationale The National Digital Strategy The world is experiencing a digital revolution and the Philippines has the opportunity to play an enormous role in it. Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an important part in the countrys development. Opportunities abound with the help of ICT. The previous ICT master plan under the Arroyo administration, known as the Philippine Strategic Roadmap for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector 2006-2010, laid the foundation for the development of ICT in the country. The roadmap covered four major areas, namely: ICT Infrastructure, cyber services, human capital development and e-Governance. The year 2010 marks the end of the five-year period of the Roadmap. It is then succeeded by the Philippine Digital Strategy (PDS) covering the period 2011-2016. The new strategy is imperative as the country seeks to preserve the gains it has achieved and maintain the global competitiveness in this critical sector; a sector that is widely recognized as a key driver of economic growth and an enabling tool for social development and poverty reduction. The PDS looks at how ICT can make a difference in key areas such as government and governance, in education, our economy, in employment and our industries and small businesses; and how it can be used for national development, empowering citizens, fighting corruption and poverty, and transforming government. It lays out what needs to be done in order for the country to progress. The PDS, a 6-year strategy, is in synch with the Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016 for national ICT development. It is the Aquino governments master plan on how to actively use information and communications technology (ICT) in promoting economic and social growth, and in promoting efficiency in the delivery of public service. This Strategy presents a renewed vision for ICT and its use in transforming Philippine Society into a competitive force in the digital economy by the year 2016. The PDS has a vision of a digitally empowered, innovative, globally competitive and prosperous society where everyone has reliable, affordable and secure information access in the Philippines. A government that practices accountability and excellence to provide responsive online citizen-centered services. A thriving knowledge economy through public-private partnership. The strategies presented in the PDS were developed in consultation with various key stakeholders which will steer the country closer to this vision. The major strategic thrusts of the PDS are as follow:

First, the Strategy plans the development of e-Government as a priority, facilitating greater efficiencies and effectiveness in the delivery of basic social services and minimizing opportunities for corruption. The PDS calls for implementation of systems which will support the governments fight against poverty and ensure integration and interoperability of ICT infrastructure and programs across government agencies. Emphasis is placed on enhancing the capability of government structures and institutions as well as upgrading the ICT skills of the entire bureaucracy. The goal is also to enable citizens and businesses to transact with government electronically; the e-Government Fund will be made accessible to encourage the development of citizen-centric applications. Another key element of this thrust is to make government more transparent, interactive and sharing more government data online. This is geared towards facilitating greater citizen engagement in the governance equation (e-Governance) and a two-way dialogue between government and citizens. Second, the PDS identifies all people having access to the Internet and its opportunities as one of its major thrusts. Internet for All is envisioned. Learning from the past, where either the government simply obligated private sector operators to serve unviable areas; or government deployed hundreds of Internet facilities around the country just to find them often challenged by sustainability issues and underutilization, this strategy has a new approach. It will focus on creating an enabling environment: with incentives and a broadband policy that will accelerate the expansion and service provision of broadband by the private sector, reaching previously unserved areas and customers. Furthermore, it will create public-private partnerships that leverage government and private sector funding to serve areas and people that are truly beyond commercial viability. But Internet is seen here also as more than just infrastructure and service provision. The PDS also takes care of digital inclusion, capacity building especially in schools, and content and applications development by a variety of local players and stakeholders. Last but not least, protecting customers online is critical, as well as data security and privacy, and the protection of children. Third, the PDS is focus on supporting the continued growth of the IT/BPO industry and extending the benefits outside Metro Manila and Metro Cebu, so as to fast-track national development and provide opportunities for investment and jobs to other regions in the country. It also provides a mechanism to enable micro, small and medium size enterprises (mSMEs) by developing their capacity to use the Internet as a market expansion tool.

Through Public-Private Partnerships, investments in Research and Development and business incubation facilities will be encouraged. Lastly, this element will focus on enabling other industry sectors in the effective use of ICT for efficiency, innovation and competitiveness. Fourth, the strategic thrust on Investing in People addresses not only the needs of our formal sectors, but also of our marginalized communities. Innovative approaches must be taken to ensure the digital inclusion of all sectors of the population. To this end, programs will be put in place to support the unique requirements of differently-abled people, indigenous peoples and island communities in the development of content and the method of delivering ICT training. Broadband Internet access and integration of ICT in curriculum across all levels of our education system will be a priority to ensure that the shortfall of a skilled workforce will be addressed, thereby ensuring that our global leadership, particularly in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)/Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO)/Creative Process Outsourcing (CPO) sectors, will be sustained. Fifth, measures will be taken to improve laws regarding Internet privacy and security. The PDS will also encourage the use of more modern alternative media such as social networks in the distribution of information and the empowerment of citizens. All the above strategies revolve around the role of the private sector, be it business, academe or civil society, as partners with government in developing the country in all the elements of ICT. Consistent with this governments thrust, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are an essential ingredient in the PDS to implement programs in e-Governance, broadband deployment, and ICT training. Region I Strengths in ICT ICT in Region I has its strengths and challenges as reflected by its current ICT situationer: The presence of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and computer dealers/suppliers provides for the computerization and web access needs of the government, citizens and businesses Establishment of 152 Community e-Centers to about 129 LGUs regionwide, as of August 201, (out of the 1,416 CeCs established nationwide) provides the general public with access points for the delivery of e-government services and affordable access to a variety of information & communication services

Identification of seven LGUs in the region as the countrys next wave cities on ICT and had undergone ICT competitiveness assessment vis-vis the ICT locator-readiness scorecard Presence of highly adaptable labor force (labor force participation rate of about 61%) who are well positioned to become a nucleus of a globally competitive knowledge based economy Continued proliferation of computer schools with wider IT course offerings. There are sixty nine IT schools in the region, three of which were awarded with Center for Development of Excellence status in IT Education by CHED Web presence of 77.52 % of the total number of LGUs in the region

Region I Challenges and Concerns in ICT Concerns Lack of ICT program / project champion in the region Concentrated telecom market with limited competition Lack of coordinated, cross-department eGovernance services From the 98% of LGUs with web presence in 2008, it went down to 77.52% in 2012, mostly in stage 1 (emerging presence) about 48.84%, only about 30.23 are in stage 2 and a few (16.28%) are in stage 3 (with interactive presence) Region I still needs to see LGUs and RLAs with transactional and fully integrated web presence (stages 4 and 5) In general, the Ilocanos(Labor force) still have a good command of the English language BUT OBSERVED to be on the DECLINE. No single site that would-be investors can go to for data and other info that they would need to make key investment decisions Challenges/Opportunities The Region I ICT sector as a support sector cuts across all other sectors in the region to scale up the economy. It aims to develop the region as a potential area for high impact ICT projects on account of the presence of manpower and expanding facilities from the private sector. The 2011-2016 RDP of Region I: Region 1 vision: Progressive, and globally competitive people with pro-poor and united leaders one in sustainably promoting region I as an agribusiness and tourism powerhouse in Northern Philippines The RDP emphasizes priority policy areas along: Competitive trade, industry and tourism More vibrant agribusiness 4

Infra Development Better governance Social Development Sustainably managed environment

The Region I ICT sector as a support sector cuts across all other sectors in the region to expand the economy, thus ICT development is an essential part of all the identified policy areas that drives the regional economy, As fleshed-out from the 2011-2016 RDP of Region I, the following are the Region I ICT priority thrusts: Focus on outsourcing industries for long-term investment for economic expansion by taking advantage of the Offshoring and Outsourcing (O&O) Industry potential Prioritize eGovernance focusing on automation of services to enhance access and availment of government services to boost the competitiveness of the region

ICT Focus Areas of Region 1 Four (4) ICT Focus Areas of Region I ICT Development which is consistent with the PDS and the Region 1 RDP: The The The The eGovernance Development Infrastructure Development Human Capital Development IT enabled-services Promotion and Advocacy

Specific ICT Focus Areas Thrusts of Region I: eGovernance Development thrusts Push for an ICT program / project champion /s in the region Strengthen the governments drive toward effective governance and increased transparency Upward movement of LGUs/NGA along the 5 categories following the UNASPA Standard Promotion on the common applications and standards for NGAs Financial Information and Management System Procurement Use of a common portal to serve as the primary gateway for egovernment and an avenue for citizens and businesses to interact effectively with the government

Establishment of accurate and comprehensive data on available ICT and ICT-enabled skills in the region for ICT manpower planning and policy making Enhance strategic planning support of LGUs ICT programs as well as ICT related investments Sustain communication programs on good governance including use of modern technologies to communicate disaster messages and signals

Information Infrastructure Development thrusts Establishment and development of adequate and modern digital/ICT for e-commerce activities Continue establishments of Community e-centers (CECs) in strategic areas Provision of adequate and reliable communication facilities especially in the upland / rural areas Drafting a study on bandwith requirement plan of the region Human Capital Development thrusts Widen the region to numerous cyberservice providers that supply expert services in various fields of ICT Develop the quality and quantity of manpower in response to BPO market ICT competency and standard development Promote technical-vocational education and trainings and strengthen the competency program for skilled workers to match with the industry needs IT enabled-services Promotion / Advocacy thrusts Provide a conducive climate for ICT investment in strategic areas in the region Enhancement of ICT usage to reduce the cost of doing business Provision of incentives to ICT investors Establishment of an Investment and Business Assistance Centers in every LGUs to improve business processing Intensify effort on investment promotion to attract industries as foci of public and private partnership Position Region 1 to become the trading and tourism hub in Northern Luzon linking Southeast Asia with East Asia in four of the eight targeted sectors of PIPP o Agro-industry o Business Process Outsourcing - Information Technology o Logistics o Tourism Capitalizing on ICT as one of the key driving forces of our economic growth providing jobs and higher income, improving and enhancing productivity and governance, there is a need to formulate the Region I Digital Strategy that 6

will define both the direction and focus of the regions efforts on ICT development for 2012-2016. The Region 1 Digital Strategy for 2012-2016 will both support the PDS and the Region 1 RDP for 2011-2016. II. Objectives General 1. To conduct a participatory vision-reality gap analysis 2. To update and flesh out the ICT plan of the region found in the Region I 2011-2016 RDP 3. To come up with a directional plan for the next five years (20122016) to provide overall policy direction on ICT development of the region 4. To complement the priority thrusts, strategies and PPAs with the PDS 5. To provide all development actors (GOs, PS, Academe, and the like) with a reliable blue print of development to complement or as their basis in formulating their respective ICT plans/programs Specific 1. To identify key internal and external issues of and challenges for the ICT sector of the region 2. Based on PDS and Region I RDP thrusts and key issues and challenges, develop a vision, mission, goals and objectives for the ICT sector of the region 3. In support of the vision and goals, to outline sustainable strategies for the development and promotion of knowledge-based economy for each ICT Focus Area in the region 4. To identify key ICT initiatives/programs/projects for each ICT focus area and rate them according to priority 5. To conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify interests and terms of participation of the various stakeholders in the ICT strategic plan implementation process with the end view of rallying all stakeholders to support and encourage them to undertake such initiatives III. Participants The participants will be coming from the concerned government, academe, non-government organizations and private sector. About sixty-two (62) participants will be invited to attend the strategic-planning. Based on the regional priorities along ICT and the focus areas for development, the participants will be divided into four (4) focus groups. They will identify areas of concerns and accordingly, work on the plan of their respective focus areas. The focus groups are the following: - Information Infrastructure Development Group - e-Governance Development Group 7

Human Capital Development Group IT enabled-services Promotion / Advocacy Group

The following will be invited during the strategic planning-workshop: Infra (18) NTC, PLDT, SMART/SUN, GLOBE, DIGITEL, BAYANTEL, NOTELCO, SAN CARLOS TELCO, BITSTOP, PPMC, DEPED, NGCP, EAGLE VISION, USATV, LUELCO, CONVERGYS, Chair InfraDev SeCom Chair NEDA, DOST, DTI, NCC, PGLU, PGIS, PGIN, PGPANG, DILG, CSC, DBM, NSCB, Chair Governance SeCom, NSO CHED, TESDA, LORMA, DMMMSU, COLEGIO DE DAGUPAN, MMSU, UNP, ISPSC, PSU, DEPED, NLPSC, DOLE, SUTHERLAND, Social Dev SeCom Chair DTI, Vigan City ICT Council, Metro Ilocos Norte ICT Council (Laoag-Batac-San Nicolas), City of San Fernando ICT Council, Urdaneta City ICT Council, Dagupan City ICT Council, Alaminos ICT Council, Candon ICT Council, San Carlos ICT Council, SITEL, Rotary Club, PCCI, Chair TIT SeCom, Chair Agribusiness SeCom, Chair Envi SeCom

e-Gov (14) HRD (14) IT enabledServices Promotio n (16)

As agreed by the ICT Committee, DTI will facilitate the sending and followup of invitations to identified BPOs (Convergys, Sitel and Sutherland). On the other hand, NTC will facilitate the sending and follow-up of invitations to identified ICT Service Providers. All other invitations will be facilitated by the ICT Committee Secretariat. IV. Schedule and Venue The strategic planning-workshop will be held at the Diego Silang Hall, La Union Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. It will be a two-day live-out activity to be held on July 4-5, 2012. The organizer will shoulder lunch and snacks for the duration of the activity. The participants will, however, shoulder their fare, food (breakfast and dinner) and accommodation. V.Methodology To strengthen the participation of all stakeholders in the ICT strategic planning for 2012-2016, the preparation of the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2016, along with the strategic planning-workshop, will be done by an external facilitator/consultant with expertise on strategic planning. Consultants Scope of Work o Prepare the ICT Strategic planning workshop design based on the proposal Specifically to include the: - Identification of key internal and external issues and challenges - SWOT analysis - Formulation of vision-mission-goal-objectives of Region 1 ICT sector

Identification of sustainable strategies for each of the ICT focus areas of development Identification of Region 1 ICT initiatives, programs / projects Stakeholders analysis for the support and implementation of the identified initiatives, P/Ps Facilitate the Strategic planning workshop Integrate the Strategic planning outputs Draft and finalize the 2012-2016 Region 1 Digital Strategic Development Plan based on the review and recommendations of the ICT Com

o o o

VI. Expected Outputs ICT development issues and key success elements of the region Region I ICT situationer SWOT Analysis Formulation of Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives for the ICT Sector As a result of the review of the focus areas situationer and in support to the Vision and Goals, identification of: o Thematic strategies for each Focus Area o short/medium term (2012-2016) priority ICT programs/projects ICT Plan implementation scheme The expected outputs shall be integrated by the external facilitator as the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2016 VII. Program of Activities

STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR THE FORMULATION OF THE REGION 1 DIGITAL STRATEGY 2012-2016 Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union September ___-___, 2012 TIME First Day Morning 8:00-9:00 9:00-9:30 ACTIVITY ACTOR

Arrival of Guests/Participants Opening Ceremonies Prayer Singing of the National Anthem Acknowledgment of Guests/Participants

ICT Com Secretariat ICT Com Secretariat

Welcome Address

Ms. Racquel M. Espiritu ICT Com secretary & DOST staff Governor of La Union
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Opening Remarks

Director Juan B. Ngalob RDC-1 Acting Chair & NEDADirector Director Elsa R. Chan ICT Com Chairman & DOST Director

Overview of the ICT Stategic Planning -Workshop for 2012-2016 9:3110:40 9:31 9:50 9:5110:10

10:1110:40 10:4112:00 10:4111:00 11:0111:20 11:2111:40 11:4112:00 Afternoo n 1:00 -1:15 1:15-5:30 1:16-2:30

Presentation of the following: Highlights of the Philippine Digital Strategy ICTO Official Region 1 ICT Situationer, Thrusts and Priorites Director Elsa R. Chan focusing on the 4 focus area of development along 1) eGovernance; 2) HRD; 3) Information Infrastructure; & 4) IT enabled-services promotion and advocacy Results of the 2008 ICT locator-readiness scorecard evaluation for the 7 cities Highlights of Provincial ICT Plans PPDOs / ICT focal persons (to include higlights of cities' ICT plans) - Ilocos Norte - Ilocos Sur - La Union - Pangasinan LUNCH Orientation on Strategic Planning in the context of ICT Consultant Planning Workshop Proper* Consultant Workshop 1: Identification of internal & external Participants issues & challenges & SWOT
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2:31-3:00 3:01-4:15

analysis - Presentation & discussion of outputs Participants/Consultant Workshop 2: Vision, Mission, Goals and Objectives Participants Formulation - Presentation & discussion of outputs

4:16-4:45

Participants/Consultant

TIME Second Day Morning 9:0010:15

ACTIVITY

ACTOR

10:1510:45 10:4612:00

Workshop 3: Outlining of Strategies in support to Vision, Participants Mission and Goals for each of the ICT focus areas of development - Presentation & discussion of outputs Participants/Consultant Workshop 4: Identification and Prioritization of PPAs for each Participants/Facilitator of the focus area of development LUNCH - Presentation & discussion of outputs Participants/Consultant Workshop 5: Plan Implementation Scheme Preparation (stakeholders' analysis for the support and implementation of the identified initatiaves, PPAs) - Presentation & Participants/Consultant
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Afternoo n 1:01-1:30 1:31-2:45

2:46-3:15

discussion of outputs 3:16-3:45 3:46-4:00 4:01-4:30 Integration of Outputs Next Steps Closing Ceremonies Closing Program Awarding of Certificates Master of Ceremonies:
VIII. Role of ICT Com and ICT Com Chair Prepare the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the consultant in conducting the Region 1 ICT Strategic Planning / Workshop The ICT Com Chair and ICT Com members will review the outputs of the consultant including the following: o ICT Strategic planning workshop design based on the proposal / TOR o Draft Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2016 The ICT Com Chair to present the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2016 to the RDC ExCom and RDC proper for adoption.

ICT Com Secretariat Director Elsa R. Chan

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IX. Timetable of Activities Activity

Prepare Initial draft proposal of the ICT Strategic Planning-Workshop TWG meeting to review and finalize the draft (to include online comments of the ICT Com members) ICT Com meeting to review the proposal Present proposal to RDC ExCom Meeting for approval Sending of Solicitation letters Identify external facilitator Prepare ICT Strategic planning-workshop design based on the ICT Com proposal / TOR Identify external facilitator Prepare of Terms of Reference on the formulation of the Region 1 Digital Strategy for 2012-2016 Sending of invitation/Follow-up to Resource Speaker, participants Review planning-workshop design Draft Proposal

Output
Initial Draft Proposal

Actor
ICT Com Secretariat (NEDA / DOST) TWG ICT Com RDC ExCom Secretariat ICT Com / TWG External facilitator ICT Com / TWG Secretariat Secretariat, DTI, NTC ICT Com secretariat

Timeframe
April 19-25, 2012 April 27, 2012 May 8, 2012 May 23, 2012 3rd week of May 2012 to 1st week of June 2012 3rd week of May 2012 to 1st week of June 2012 1st - 2nd week of June, 2012 For presentation on July 18 ICT Com meeting For presentation on July 18 ICT Com meeting July 23-31, 2012 Last week of July 2012

Endorsement of the proposal for approval by the RDC ExCom Approved Proposal Funds Contract with consultant ICT Strategic planning-workshop design Contract with consultant Terms of Reference List of Confirmed participants to the strategic planning-workshop Reviewed and approved ICT Strategic planning- workshop design (to be disseminated to all members fro review) Rough draft of the Region 1 Digital Strategic Development Plan First Draft of the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2017 Reviewed draft of the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2017

Conduct ICT Strategic planning- workshop Integrate outputs of the four groups and come out with the draft of the Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2016 Presentation and review of the draft of the Strategic Plan

Focus Groups Consultant Consultant (presentation); ICT

August 9-10 Last week of August 2012 2nd week of September 2012

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Finalize the Strategic Plan Presentation of the Strategic plan and endorsement by the RDC ExCom

Finalized draft of the Ilocos Digital Strategic Development Plan Approved Region 1 Digital Strategy 2012-2017

Com (review) Consultant ICT Com

Last week of September 2012 1st week of October 2012

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