PH rises 31 spots in UN e-Participation index

The Philippines has risen 31 places in the 2024 2024 United Nations (UN) e-Participation Index (EPI) amid improved digital governance.

The UN described EPI as an index that offer insights into how different countries are using online tools in promoting interaction between the government and its people, as well as among the people, for the benefit of all.

Out of 193 countries evaluated, the Philippines ranked 49th this year in EPI from 80th in 2022.

Moreover, the country advanced 16 places in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI), where it climbed to 73rd spot from 89th in 2022.

The country achieved an EGDI score of 0.7621, exceeding the global average of 0.6382.

The UN’s EGDI measures online service delivery, telecommunication connectivity, and human capacity.

In a statement, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said the Philippines’ advancement in the UN’s digital governance rankings was “a testament to the government’s efforts to enhance digital transformation.”

"This milestone underscores our dedication to making government services more accessible, transparent, and participatory for every Filipino," said Uy.

The DICT chief attributed the country’s digital governance ranking improvement to the eGov Super App — the agency’s flagship platform integrating national and local government services.

The app offers various services, including business registration, tourism information, job creation tools, travel declarations, and e-commerce features.

For his part, DICT Undersecretary David Almirol said the eGov Super App aggregates existing systems using Single Sign-On (SSO) and API integration, allowing seamless access to government services while maintaining compatibility with current agency systems.

Almirol said the DICT is also working with the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Tourism and the Bureau of Immigration to incorporate the Philippine eVisa Portal into the app, simplifying the visa application process for tourists and supporting the country’s tourism sector.

The eGov Super App is an online one-stop shop, also facilitates local government services, such as applying for permits, certifications, and clearances.

Partnerships with agencies like the Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Professional Regulation Commission have expanded the app’s offerings to include resume-building tools for job seekers, eKonsulta for health benefits, and a unified travel declaration system for travelers.

Almirol said the DICT is planning further collaborations with other agencies to integrate new features like citizen reporting modules, a job matching system, artificial intelligence bots, and tools to empower start-ups.

To date, the DICT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with over 50 government agencies to advance the Philippines’ digital governance and global standing. — BAP, GMA Integrated News