THE implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the E-Governance Act have been finalized and signed, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Tuesday.
The IRR will operationalize Republic Act (RA) 12254, which was signed into law last September by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to drive the government’s digital transformation.
“The IRR directs agencies to adopt common standards, prioritize cybersecurity, and re-engineer processes to ensure services are citizen-centered,” the DICT said in a statement.
It includes interoperability, cybersecurity and streamlined service delivery standards that have to be followed by all government agencies, it added.
To complement this, the DICT said that the E-Government Master Plan (EGMP) — the strategic blueprint for the country’s digital transformation — had also been approved.
“The EGMP outlines key programs, priorities, and governance mechanisms to ensure a more integrated, interoperable, and future-ready digital government,” the department said.
With the signing of the IRR, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said “we move from intent to implementation — from plans to real, measurable change in how the government works, and more importantly, how it serves the Filipino people. “
“This is about removing friction, cutting red tape, and making sure every Filipino, wherever they are, can access government services efficiently.”
The ceremonial signing was held at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) headquarters in Manila. The multilateral lender was said to have reaffirmed a commitment to help the country build a digital ecosystem.
THE MANILA TIMES