Home / Editorial / eGov PH Super App: A tap into the right digital direction

eGov PH Super App: A tap into the right digital direction

E CARTOON JUN 6, 2023 (1).jpg

Digital times call for digital solutions. As technology moves at a rate faster than we can say the word “technology,” solutions must also be fast, lest we be left at the wayside by our neighbors; it must also be inclusive, so no sector of our society would be left behind.

If there’s any accomplishment this administration would be known for during its first year of tenure, digitalization in key government departments is on the list. Proof of this is the recent launch of the eGov PH Super App, hailed as the country’s “first one-stop-shop platform for national and local government services.”

The eGov PH Super App, unveiled by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on June 2, 2023, was lauded by the President himself. “This is what we are pushing for. This is what e-governance is about — to bring it all together, to make it simple, available, and accessible,” he said. “I’m very happy that we are going in this direction. There is another part of this that is extremely important, that is sometimes we do not talk about, and that is the lessening of corruption.”

Ever since the start of the administration, the President has been emphasizing the merits of digitalization, even highlighting its importance during his inaugural State-of-the-Nation Address. He firmly believes that digitalization could truly “curb corruption” and “improve efficiency” for the ultimate convenience of every Filipino, especially the ordinary citizens.
“Government must be able to identify and utilize high-impact innovations to improve its own governance and transform itself into an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the people’s needs,” the President said, when discussing digitalization. “This is not something of an option that we might want to examine. This is something that we need to do. We have no option of not doing this. This is something that is required.”

The President sees the eGov PH Super App as a means to achieve economic resilience for the nation. He expressed optimism for the app’s success, recognizing its launch as a “very good step” in attaining his administration’s full digital and economic transformation goals.

“(This app) simplifies the process especially for the citizens and there is no discretion being exercised by anyone,” Marcos said. “We should not allow (Filipinos) to continue to suffer from antiquated, corrupt, inefficient systems.”

The eGov PH mobile application empowers users to transact with government agencies, pay bills, and access essential information about government programs and services online. It eliminates the necessity of availing the services of an intermediary (aka “fixer”) to facilitate government transactions.

While we commend the government for finally having this one-stop app, it is imperative that it should also ensure user privacy. In this day and age where our personal information — birthdays, addresses, landline or cell numbers, bank details, etc. — could be hacked by more tech-savvy individuals with malicious intent, safeguarding online privacy must be a top concern. While we are all for digitalization, there’s always trepidation when we hear news about the apps of banks, e-wallets, or social media sites becoming vulnerable to various online attacks. It would be wise for the DICT to assure the public of the app’s integrity.

The eGov PH Super App must live up to its name — super, as in super useful, super accessible, and super convenient. Otherwise, it risks becoming a super failure.

*****

Credit belongs to : www.mb.com.ph

Check Also

Federal government promising a ‘renters’ bill of rights’ in upcoming budget

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that his government will introduce new measures — including a …