Peza, DICT ink agreement to develop ICT infra in ecozones

MANILA  -The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) has signed a partnership agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), paving the way for stronger and more coordinated efforts between the two agencies in developing the ICT infrastructure in the country’s economic zones.

The Peza on Monday said that a memorandum of understanding was signed last May 18 between the two parties for a more synchronized and well-coordinated ICT system in the ecozones.

“This partnership is our agencies’ response to the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ramp up digitalization in government to ensure fast and efficient delivery of services to the public,” Peza Director General Tereso O. Panga said in a statement.

“Additionally, Peza is committed to carry out Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual’s directive to adopt digital transformation to boost the country’s competitiveness as an investment destination, particularly for high-tech and innovator accelerator companies,” he said further.

Under the agreement, the DICT will assess, evaluate, and assist in the development and enhancement of current applications and systems of Peza.

It will also provide recommendations and strategy for the improvement of the agency’s ICT system.

Further, the DICT will also provide appraisals of the programs and projects that both agencies may agree to develop, ensuring that identified and existing applications and systems of the investment promotion agency will be integrated with their own.

“We are once again making another breakthrough as we continuously enhance data security, transparency, and government transactions to better serve our ecozone developers, locators, and investors making the country more conducive to do and expand businesses with,” Panga added.

The Peza said it is looking at high-impact IT infrastructure and automation projects for implementation this year, highlighting the need for a robust ICT infrastructure in the country’s economic and industrial hubs.

These projects include the implementation of hybrid internet connectivity in the economic zones, as well as the Bureau of Customs (BOC) e-container tracking system, among others.