Apec must prioritize Internet connectivity for growth, says PH

CEBU CITY—Internet connectivity should remain high on the list of priorities of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) economies since this is crucial in driving forward the region’s agenda on inclusive growth and sustainable communities, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said here Friday.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Laura del Rosario said the Internet is instrumental in helping Apec member economies implement the strategies that would boost the quality of growth in the region. These strategies revolved around institution building, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

The Philippines was hopeful the meetings on the Internet economy over the past week here would be able to remind all governments that Internet connection and speed are important for economies to move forward, she said.

“The big picture is the issue of connectivity. Our economies will be connected whether we want it or not. We are faced now with the realization  or reality that the Internet economy is here and that the digital economy is here,” Del Rosario said.

“We are just making sure that in discussing issues, the Internet connections and Internet connectivity will be a priority for our government planning. These issues will be part of the things we will be looking at the telecommuni  cations sector. We are also looking at issues of security. I hope that our own people who have enough resources will look at how we can expand and improve the broadband so we can have more access to the Internet,” she added.

Del Rosario noted Internet connectivity is a significant requisite in many areas, such as in increasing access to education particularly in the rural areas, improving skills and capabilities, and boosting the economic participation of small enterprises in the regional and global markets.

“If I were a small business  person, if I were in education, or if I were to think of the quality of growth of my citizens as a local city mayor or as a national leader, I will look at the Internet also and how I can harness it so that the quality of growth in my country will become better than it is now. In short, our challenges now belong to the 21st century. We cannot look anymore at the issues of the 20th and not move forward. We hope that what we’re doing in Apec will really be building blocks towards finding solutions to what we face in the 21st century,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario earlier said the creation of a Department of Information and Communications Technology was crucial in enabling the Philippines to ride the wave of the “Internet economy,” which in turn, is seen to boost the economic participation of small enterprises and become an effective vehicle for inclusive growth.