Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has called for more investments in information and communication technology (ICT) to bridge a massive “digital divide” that has been exposed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing his fellow lawmakers in Southeast Asia during a
meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Velasco said the
digital divide—which allows some to stay on task remotely while others left
out—prevents societies from harnessing the full benefits that ICT and digital
economy can deliver.
“Everyone must have equitable access to opportunities the
digital economy has to offer. Greater efforts should be made to narrow the
digital divide within the specific context of each member state and
community,”Velasco said in a statement he delivered remotely during AIPA’s 42nd
General Assembly hosted by Brunei Darussalam on August 23-25.
“The key is to invest in sufficient infrastructure and
connectivity to broaden physical access to mobile and internet networks, which
will also enhance access to education, markets, and other economic
opportunities,” he added.
AIPA members convened virtually as the region is still
reeling from the impacts of the pandemic. This year’s theme focused on ASEAN
parliamentary cooperation on digital connectivity and inclusion that will lay
the groundwork for a resilient economic recovery.
According to Velasco, the call to leverage the digital economy has become more compelling as the region grapples with the nature of the “new normal.”
While it continues to ravage people’s lives and the economy,
Velasco said the pandemic has accelerated digitalization, which is
“transforming the way we communicate, work, learn, and live.”
He noted that digital platforms have “enabled our people to
stay connected and engaged, and for many businesses to operate amid the
lockdown.”
With mobility restrictions, Velasco said the use of these
technologies supports work-from-home arrangements, remote learning, and offsite
service delivery.
Velasco said the digital transformation is now a major
strategic focus for ASEAN to drive economic recovery and build back better.
However, Velasco lamented that not all ASEAN countries are
able to leverage digital technologies to their full potential, citing the gaps
between nations in the region in basic access to the internet, along with speed
and cost.
He also cited the disparity in internet access within
countries, especially in remote and marginalized areas, as well as the
“significant gaps” in policy and regulatory infrastructure to unlock further
growth in the digital economy.
In the Philippine context, Velasco said steps have been
taken to reduce the digital divide by lowering regulatory and other barriers to
market entry.
He said the House of Representatives has approved
legislative measures that allow a more diverse set of providers to enter and
operate in the market.
These include the Open Access in Data Transmission Act,
which aims to establish a strong and independent regulatory system and body to
ensure fair competition in the data transmission industry; and the Amendments
to the Public Service Act, which provides a clear distinction between how a
public service and public utility is defined, in effect relaxing foreign
participation in public utilities.
He said the legislature also helped foster a conducive
environment to minimize inherent risks in a digital economy amid issues of
misuse of private information, personal security breaches and unsafe access
that deter producers and consumers from embracing digital solutions.
To build trust and protect consumers, Velasco said that Congress passed the Internet Transactions Act to regulate all business-to-business and business-to-consumer commercial transactions over the internet, including those related to internet retail, online travel services, digital media providers, ride-hailing services, and digital financial services.
To date, Velasco said only four ASEAN member states have data
protection laws namely, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand;
while other states in the region such as Indonesia are in various stages of
developing their own data protection and privacy laws.
“Given the scale of the pandemic, ASEAN and AIPA have
utilized digital diplomacy, with all of its meetings across all sectors held
online, including those with Dialogue Partners,” Velasco said.
“Digital diplomacy has indeed helped ASEAN member states
continue their dialogue and coordination, and mobilize regional mechanisms to
tackle the public health crisis,” he added.