Private sector called on to spearhead PH digital transformation

The private sector must spearhead the country’s digital transformation and find new ways to complement the government’s efforts to oil the economy, especially amid continuing challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic, business leaders said.

In a virtual roundtable discussion organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute, Ayala Corp. chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala said: “The strength of the private sector, its resources ingenuity energy, and performance management discipline are absolutely crucial to augment the government’s massive machinery and even codevelop new ways to deliver critical aid and other forms of support to our stakeholders.”

Zobel batted for common measurable commitments around manufacturing competitiveness, support for the digital enablement of micro, small and medium enterprises, data security, entrepreneurship, hunger, poverty alleviation, education, job creation and agricultural and financial inclusion.

“This pandemic has shown us more than ever that if we will act in unison, work together, join forces and focus on some key areas…, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind the private sector can be a massive generator of goodwill in our country,” Zobel said.

Globe Telecom, in partnership with DLSU’s Animo Labs, launched the country’s biggest 5G Hackathon competition for students and professionals. The competition, running from March through July, aims to create solutions on how 5G technologies will improve the various sectors of society, industries, and develop “smart cities.”

Participants will benefit from workshops that will promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) automation and internet of things (IoT) to create real world applications of 5G technology.

“We commit to enabling the youth to carve out their own digital futures and transform various industries in the Philippines into digital innovation hubs,” Globe head of consumer mobile business KD Dizon said.

In his welcome remarks during the forum, Stratbase ADR Institute chair Albert del Rosario said: “Public and private institutions can no longer cling to their old ways and must now step up their digital transformation to deliver their services and products efficiently and extensively. This reality is evident in the surging volume of online transactions and demand for broadband services.” INQ