Marcos: Philippines should not be left behind in technological innovations

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Friday the Philippines should not be left behind in terms of technological innovations as this is the only viable measure to engage in business activities.

At the inauguration of the UnionBank Innovation Campus in San Pedro City, Laguna, Marcos said if there was one silver lining amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it was the "hastening of the adoption of the technological innovations in this digital and modern age."

"The trend was very pronounced before the pandemic and it was accelerated by the need because of the pandemic and now many people have discovered that it is an actual viable way to do business," Marcos said in his speech.

"We in government have gone a step further than that, not only it is a viable way of doing business. It is the only way that we will be doing business in the years to come and therefore we cannot allow the Philippines to be left behind," he added.

The Chief Executive has since pushed for digital transformation, which he considers significant for the country's economic recovery. He stressed that with the help of information and communications technology, the public was able to do their activities online especially during this health crisis.

"We found avenues that brought us closer together and despite the lockdown and distance between us, we learned to hold meetings and even court trials online," said the President.

"To sustain growth and promote new advances in this new sector, it is my hope that you will explore the limitless possibilities and take advantage of the many bright ideas that our experts have so that we can generate more jobs and secure our nation’s economic revitalization," he added.

Moreover, Marcos lauded the initiative of the UnionBank on the launch of the innovation campus, saying this "shall intensify our collective efforts to bring our banking and ICT industries into the future."

"It is necessary if we are to be able to take advantage of the efficiencies that digital banking, digital transactions, the digital way of doing business affords us. And we would be neglectful of our duties if we don’t recognize the trend that is happening around the world, and not only adjust to it, but to position ourselves to take full advantage of it," he said.

Digitalization of government

Marcos said innovations would increase the economic activity in the government, adding that it will also help ordinary citizens especially in obtaining assistance from the administration.

"In our shared success to make the disbursement of social benefits and other assistance to the public smoother, I look forward to the next milestone in our collaborations, which is ensuring financial inclusion through digital technology," said Marcos.

"This will provide effective access to a wider range of financial  services for all Filipinos, especially the vulnerable sectors," he added.

During his first State of the Nation Address, Marcos said he wants the government transformed "into an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the needs of the public, provide good and solid data to ensure informed decision-making, as well as allow secure and seamless access to public services."

"The mission of our Department of Information and Communications Technology is to identify and utilize these innovations to improve governance," Marcos had said. —AOL/RSJ, GMA News