The Adapting Society Calls for Digital Innovation

July 3, 2020

As we slowly adapt to the ‘new normal’ of social and economic activities, dependence on technology as tools of interaction has become fundamental. The ordinary consumers have found new means in their way of conducting businesses, delivery of services, and other essential activities through technology. We have seen the private sector’s innovations to revive the economy by converting their businesses to function with digital capabilities.

The need for increased Internet speed with ensured consistency has become a public clamor now more than ever. To answer this, we need to build more cell towers to cater to the ever-growing demand for reliable bandwidth from the residential and commercial areas. We must allow the telecommunication companies to build more digital infrastructures, as it will benefit all sectors of society.

While the private sector is recovering from its losses because of this health crisis, the government needs to play its part in embracing societal changes and welcome the digital revolution. It is, therefore, crucial that the government realize the need to shift into technology-based services.

The government is challenged to follow the private sector’s moves and embrace the evolving society dependent on the advancements of technology. It is time for government agencies to update their manual processes and adopt paperless and even cashless transactions.

The lesson from this pandemic is to reduce person-to-person contact. To enable the continuity of government function, the adoption of digital technology is the only option. This is now a call to innovate the delivery of public services and the promotion of E-governance.

Real-time delivery of services, feedback mechanisms, and online transactions are only a few of E-governance’s various benefits. Government offices would then require improving their Internet connections to sustain this transition. Thus the repeated call for ramping up our crucial digital infrastructures.

Filipino consumers are asking for better public services characterized by modern facilities that fit this age of technology. A harmonious government and private sector that is equipped with strengthened digital capabilities cultivate job creation. This digital transformation will open new industries that may create income-generating sources for every Filipino.

CitizenWatch Philippines believes that the interconnectedness of society in the post-pandemic era is through digital connection. The best way to move forward from this pandemic is to strengthen our capacities through digital transformation. Let us forge a future fortified with digital infrastructures!

Orlando Oxales

Lead Convenor, CitizenWatch Philippines