INDICATORS ON COMMUNITY ACCESS TO ICT:

1. INDICATORS ON COMMUNITY ACCESS TO ICT: Critical Policy and Planning Tools in the Implementation of the Philippine Community E-Center Program (CECP) Aurora A. Rubio Department of Transportation and Communications, Philippines Global Indicators Workshop on Community Access to ICTs Mexico City 16-19 November 2004

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE • Brief Background on the Philippine Telecommunications Sector • Selected Sector Statistics • The Community E-Center Program • Indicators as Critical Policy and Planning Tools • Conclusion

3. THE PHILIPPINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR Philippine telecommunications sector is distinctive in a number of ways: • One of the few countries where telecommunications services have historically been provided by private entities • Very competitive telecom market • Innovative regulatory requirement to promote universal access, requiring mobile and international telecom carrier to install specific number of lines within specific period • One of the oldest telecom regulators in the world • One of the first countries where mobile has exceeded fixed line subscription • “SMS Capital of the World”

4. CURRENT SITUATION OF PHILIPPINE ICT SECTOR • ICT INFRASTRUCTURE and ITS COVERAGE RELATIVELY LIMITED • 1.93 PCs for every 100 population • Close to half of the cities and municipalities still without fixed line connections (2002) • - Facilities distribution uneven • Demography of internet users: 90% urban • Schools with PCs: 14.28% (2000) • Schools with internet access: 2% (2000)

5. CURRENT SITUATION OF PHILIPPINE ICT SECTOR • LITERACY RELATIVELY HIGH • Literacy rate: 92.3% • Literacy rate in English Language: 70% • ON BEING ON-LINE • - 99% OF 377 National Government Agencies have websites • 100% of 106 State Universities and Colleges are now on-line • 100% of the 79 provinces and 115 cities have web presence

6. THE COMMUNITY E-CENTER PROGRAM (CECP) To address the digital divide by ensuring that the capability of digital technologies truly impact the quality of life of all Filipinos, empowering rural communities socially, economically and politically. Our Vision: Our Objectives: • - Link communities together • To serve as vehicle in the electronic delivery of critical government information and services - Facilitate trade and commerce and promote SME participation and development - To coordinate similar and related initiatives

7. CECP GUIDING PRINCIPLES • The provision of access to information and communications services in rural, remote and underserved areas is a key to accelerating development • The success of the program depends on the efficient and effective partnership of the public and private sectors. • Content is an essential component of the CECP and its sustainability. Content and applications must be adopted or developed to suit the particular needs and conditions of the local community. • The government, as a model user of ICT, should accelerate its efforts in developing content, particularly those that are used in the delivery of public services. • The provision of telecommunications and IT facilities is not a goal in itself.

8. RELATED INITIATIVES…. Here and There • Telepono sa Barangay • PCs for Public High Schools Project • Pilot Multipurpose Community Telecenters (MCT) • Establishment and Computerization of Barangay Reading Centers • Text 2 Teach • Local Government Units e-Services • SSS Application Project and other Government Applications • And a lot lot more

9. COMMUNITY E-CENTER PROGRAM (CECP)

10. STATUS OF CECP • Inventory of related projects for coordination and alignment purposes • Exact No. of CECs unknown. No registration required • Telecommunications Office establishing III CECs in 39 provinces under the E-Government Fund • E-Frontline government services aggressively undertaken, per mandate of E-Commerce Act • Coverage and Quantity Targets already incorporated in the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) • Update and Verification on some ICT indicators in different geographic (political) levels being undertaken • Aggressive Information Drive ongoing

11. ICT INDICATORS AS POLICY AND PLANNING TOOLS • Provides policy makers and planners a good overview of current situation vis a vis targets • Identify gaps and subsequently strategies to narrow the gap • Tool for benchmarking • However, • Accuracy and timeliness are critical factors; difficult to attain • Has cost implications • Conflicting and misleading data cause serious concern

12. ON GLOBAL INDICATORS PRESENTED IN THIS FORUM • Set of Indicators may serve as a blueprint to plan and monitor country’s response to the WSIS Plan of Action • May also be worthwhile to refer to indicators developed in other fora, i.e., APEC TEL • May consider other indicators such as affordability, acceptable or common applications, etc.

13. OTHER CONCERNS • Capability to gather data • Common understanding of definition of terms • Frequency of Update • Resolution of Conflicting Data • Converting raw data into usable and realistic policies, plans and programs • Cost

14. CONCLUSION • ICT Indicators are important policy and planning tools • Developing countries generally lack information on various indicators • Cost implication • Limited manpower and other resources • Conflicting interpretation of terms and procedure used

15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! MARAMING SALAMAT PO.