Philippines India Digital Public Infrastructure: In June, 2022, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., popularly known as Bongbong, became the President of the Philippines by defeating the former President Rodrigo Duterte. Initially, he was considered a pro-Chinese leader, but contrary to his election image, he has emerged as a nightmare for China.
To uphold the sovereignty of the Philippines, he has been taking all the necessary steps, including enhancing defence ties with India. Last year, the Philippines bought Brahmos missiles worth $375 million from India. Now, the latest developments indicate that Bongbong is ready to take ties with India to a higher level.
Philippines seeks partnership with India and the US for Digital Public Infrastructure
Recently, the Philippines’ Parliament Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez attended the Digital Public Infrastructure lecture. It was part of the World Bank and IMF spring meetings. During the event, Mr. Speaker proposed a partnership among the Philippines, the United States, and India to build a digital public infrastructure in Philippines.
Speaker Ferdinand said, “I think it is very important for the Philippines, India, and the US to lead in this digital public infrastructure initiative because nations have much to gain from this.”
Malaking karangalan na maimbita tayo sa mga pormal na diskusyon kaugnay ng ginaganap na World Bank-International Monetary Fund Spring Meeting dito sa Washington, D.C.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/aAAU0az9xD
— Martin Romualdez (@SpeakerMartinPH) April 16, 2023
Mr. Speaker added that building public digital platforms is very much aligned with the campaign promise of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to speed up the country’s digital transformation.
Mr. Speaker further stated that this was the reason why the House of Representatives passed the E-Governance/E-Government Bill. The Bill sought to shift the entire Philippines’ bureaucracy to the digital space for faster and more transparent delivery of services, and for better engagement with the public.
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He also added that digitalization will definitely prove to be the panacea to the economic problems left behind by COVID-19.
The Filipino Speaker also had a brief conversation with Nandan Nilekani, one of the founders of the Indian multinational information technology company Infosys.
What is Digital Public Infrastructure?
Infrastructure that enables people to participate in public and civic life digitally is known as digital public infrastructure. The government and taxpaying citizens provide the majority of its funding. Contrary to privately owned internet platforms, which make billions mostly through advertising, it is not profit-oriented.
The information technology and business process management industries in India account for more than 55% of the global outsourcing market.
In 2015, the Indian government introduced the “Digital India Mission” to leverage technology and digitization to improve governance in the country.
Meanwhile, the US Agency for International Development provided USD 18 million in January to assist Philippine small and medium-sized firms in speeding their digitization transition.
Earlier, this year, an agreement regarding Indian grant assistance for the implementation of the Quick Implementation Project (QIP) was signed between India and the Philippines.
The Agreement provides a framework that enables the utilisation of Indian aid for small projects to promote the socioeconomic developments of the Philippines. Along with improving physical infrastructure, this also involves developing social infrastructure.
Right from, physical and social infrastructure and now to digital public infrastructure, Philippines is finding a trustworthy partner in India. Now, without a doubt, it can be stated that the Philippines has entered an era in which Filipinos will not let China befool their nation and compromise their core interests or their sovereignty. Now, it is forging stronger alliances with like-minded nations, with India being the front runner in that, and this is reflected in recent agreements in every sector, be it digital or defence.
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