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Valenzuela City, Philippines’ local government signed a memorandum of agreement with an international business machines and technology corporation to ensure a career-ready future for students in the city.
The city government committed to provide funds and materials to support students through the tech company’s Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) programme. It also targets to bring partners in local industries on board, ensuring employment for its younger population.
The city mayor said the partnership would strengthen the city government’s existing programmes on education, particularly on emerging technology learning. He said that the P-TECH programme is strongly aligned with their Education 360 Degrees Investment Programme, which aims to deliver holistic quality and inclusive education to citizens.
The tech company will provide technical assistance to the city government’s P-TECH Model involving Skills Mapping, Work-Based Learning, Mentoring, and Internships. It will also launch a free online learning platform, called Open P-TECH, for students and teachers.
The city government is looking forward to how this programme will help ignite the youth’s interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and improve their local education system’s capacities to produce the much-needed, job-ready talents required by industries, added the mayor.
The programme will cover students from Grades 11 to 14 and help the graduating students get an advanced level national certification from the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for free. It also targets to support students with an associate degree in college across in-demand jobs, such as Advanced Manufacturing, Packaging, Electronics, Automotive, or HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) industries.
According to the tech company, working within the industry while learning helps students gain early exposure and credentials to be competitive in STEM and new-collar careers, which are some of the fastest-growing fields in technology requiring more than a high school diploma but not necessarily a university degree.
To date, the P-TECH model can be found in more than 266 schools in 28 countries. More than 600 businesses in technology, health care, advanced manufacturing, and other industries across the world are participating as P-TECH industry partners.
The city government added that the P-TECH programme would complement the objective of Valenzuela’s Senior High School-to-College-to-Industry Programme to increase the pool of skilled talents in STEM.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, The Philippines’ Department of Education (DepEd) announced that the agency is currently harnessing different technology-based projects as part of education’s new normal that is caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking during the first Asia Pacific Public Sector Digital Summit, the agency’s undersecretary underscored the government’s initiatives to ensure learning continuity amid the pandemic, including DepEd TV, DepEd Commons, and DepEd Radio. If there are no face-to-face classes, then the education department must devise all means to reach out to learners and to bring basic education to them, said the agency.
The DepEd intends to master distance learning, making all the necessary improvements and perfecting its processes for the DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, DepEd Radio, the DepEd Learning Management System, the DepEd Mobile App, and others, the agency added.
The education department’s undersecretary also hinted at a future DepEd project, which aims to update and pattern DepEd TV after streaming services to allow learners to study their learning materials at their own pace. Those who need more time and repetition can easily review and go back to all the lessons, while those who learn at a faster pace can access new lessons and other lessons outside of their grade levels, he said.
Meanwhile, in terms of re-imagining education in the new normal, the DepEd shared that they are advocates for the continuation of online and broadcast learning platforms post-pandemic since classroom shortage remains an issue in the country. With that kind of interface, the country’s education curriculum can adapt to the needs of the entire nation and even the world. Then, basic education becomes relevant and liberating for it serves what the nation needs and what the world needs.


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Within a year of its commencement, the innovative education model FORTE (Financing of Return to Employment) has shown excellent early outcomes for both local career seekers and employers as the first groups of South Australian students transition from training to employment.
The FORTE pilot programme, which commenced in May 2022, is supported by the Department for Industry, Innovation, and Science. It provides high-quality training at no cost, aimed at equipping 150 South Australians with the necessary digital skills to work in the state’s rapidly growing hi-tech sectors.
Under the FORTE model, local training providers such as Generation Australia, General Assembly, _nology, and 42 Adelaide deliver the training, which is initially funded by private investors. Running for a duration of three years, the pilot programme has shown encouraging early indicators. Over 40% of recent FORTE graduates have already secured jobs at various tech companies.
The remaining graduates are currently actively seeking employment and attending interviews, with the FORTE team providing support to ensure they are matched with appropriate job opportunities within the next three to six months.
The South Australian Government will only make repayments under the FORTE model when a participant has demonstrated a successful employment outcome, meaning that they have secured work in their desired field, achieved higher income, and generated higher income tax as a result. By implementing this approach, the FORTE model ensures that the South Australian Government only funds labour force interventions that are effective.
According to the Founder & CEO of FORTE, talent is abundant throughout South Australia, and the programme aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to learn new in-demand skills, attain financial independence, and reach their full potential.
The FORTE model guarantees that the South Australian Government only invests in labour force interventions that have proven effectiveness. The CEO believes that there is an abundance of talent in South Australia and that the programme is designed to provide everyone with an opportunity to learn new in-demand skills, achieve financial independence, and reach their full potential.
The programme aims to help Adelaide become a leading tech hub in the Asia-Pacific region. A great tech talent pipeline is essential for this goal to be achieved. Thus far, the initiative has contributed to bridging the gender divide in the tech industry. Women who are re-entering the workforce, especially those who have taken a break to raise a family, are a valuable talent pipeline that FORTE aims to tap into.
The Forte Tech Program is a three-month full-time training programme aimed at improving the tech skills of participants. The programme also includes career development services to assist participants in securing employment opportunities in the tech industry. These services include introductions to potential employers, assistance in crafting resumes and profiles, and one-on-one coaching.
The programme is entirely remote, enabling participants to work from home while receiving top-quality training, hands-on project experience, and ongoing support. The training focuses on fields such as Data Analytics, Software Development, and Cloud Computing, which offer excellent salaries, and flexibility and are in high demand for the future. In addition, the training comes at no cost to participants.
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Director General of Resources and Equipment of Post and Information Technology (SDPPI) at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Ismail, revealed that Indonesia is optimising technology by ensuring sufficient digital connection and working in concert with the private sector and the community. For its citizens to make the most of this technology, the government of the Republic of Indonesia is investing heavily in its development.
According to Ismail, Indonesia has a well-balanced strategy of infrastructure development and radio frequency spectrum management in place, which would speed up the nationwide rollout of digital infrastructure. However, Indonesia needs to harness an IoT-based platform that uses the country’s digital infrastructure to speed up digital transformation and promote innovation in day-to-day living.
“The Indonesian government has invested much in expanding access to the internet throughout the country, particularly in rural and isolated areas. While this is happening, the Indonesian government is working to speed up the spread of ICT applications and services across many sectors,” Ismail mentioned in an online session for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes 2023 titled “High-Level Policy Session 7: Ethical Dimensions of Information and Knowledge Societies/Bridging Digital Divides”.
The event attended by ministerial representatives from the European Union, Pakistan, Iran, Cambodia, India and the United Arab Emirates were in attendance. In addition, academics and representatives from foreign organisations were also in attendance.
Ismail points out that the government and the private sector need to collaborate with other actors as the infrastructure network expanded. As seen by the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak in Indonesia, the business sector was spurred to develop and implement several digitisation programmes in the education, healthcare, and SME support sectors.
“Such as student e-book libraries and e-chat programmes. The programme was designed to help educators and students in their academic pursuits. In addition, there is a database of digital web pages, including about 7,500 pieces of digital information. Using digital technology, they hope to create a more accessible education system for all members of our community, he explained.
Ismail said the programme has the potential to benefit over 40,000 educators and over 600 institutions this academic year through enhanced professional development opportunities. Over 20,000 educators and 16,000 pupils have benefited from private sector capacity development programmes.
The private sector in Indonesia has launched several programmes to aid the growth of SMEs. These programmes provide SMEs with resources, including startup funding, digital marketing courses, and more.
Several private sector personnel and over 16,000 partners began the programme to digitalise small and medium-sized businesses. From this, we can infer that the government is trying to promote the availability of digital services and apps,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the healthcare sector, the private sector helps to produce the PeduliLindungi health app during the recent Covid-19 outbreak. The collaboration from a local developer’s team, the Indonesian government’s Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Communication and Informatics have sped up the development and improvement of the app.
During the pandemic “this application provides information about health and other relevant information,” the Director General of SDPPI of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics pointed out.
With over 100 million users, the software has been downloaded and is now used as an Indonesian Health Service Platform known as Satu Sehat Platform. The Platform is a unified health record system for locals. Director General Ismail cited that app as an example of one that is crucial to Indonesia’s healthcare system.
Indonesia’s government is constantly improving its public services to make them more effective and accessible to the people. Efforts to manage Indonesia’s National Public Service Innovation Network have officially commenced. (JIPPNas). The JIPPNas website has become a clearinghouse for innovative methods in public service throughout the country.
The website was created to compile all accessible statistics and information on the best public services and help Indonesia’s public and private sectors better understand how to develop innovation. The JIPPNas website is a hub for promoting innovation, especially in public services, thanks to the collaborative efforts of several different organisations.
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At the third edition of ‘My Digital Bootcamp,’ 1,500 students from low-income families in the Central Singapore District will learn new digital skills. The districtwide programme will help to level the playing field for children from low-income families who may not have access to extracurricular activities.
This is part of the Central Singapore Community Development Council’s (CDC) SkillsFuture Junior programme, which seeks to support its young residents with digital and soft skills to prepare them for a better future.
Students will go through four modular skills-based workshops at each two-day Bootcamp held from March to December 2023 to learn advanced digital-making skills in a fun and engaging manner such as programming, robotics, mobile app development, and game design.
A time traveller visiting ancient civilisations or an Earth hero resolving a climate crisis are the two new immersive narratives that participants can select from. They will also be exposed to complementary soft skills such as logical reasoning, pattern recognition, algorithm design, relationship management, and communication skills, among others, during the Bootcamp.
‘My Digital Bootcamp’ will provide structured learning support to the young participants in order to encourage learning beyond the workshops. Each child will receive a special home-based learning (HBL) digital-making kit, which includes a micro: bit pocket-sized computer, a KittenBot expansion board, an ultrasonic sensor, and other resource materials, as well as a learning management system, to allow them to continue learning and practising what they have learned at the Bootcamp.
At the end of this season, a brand-new Hackathon component will be held in which young learners will be empowered to solve real-life scenario-based challenges in friendly competitions that will underpin holistic learning. There will be 300 people at the Hackathon. Some will be students from the Bootcamps, and some will be new students.
Participants in the two-day Hackathon challenge will participate in digital-making skill workshops or refreshers, preparatory workshops, competitions, and presentations. They will investigate skillsets and develop competencies in soft skills other than those taught in the Bootcamp, such as idea pitching, design thinking, and ideation, which will help them build a strong foundation for the future economy.
The long-standing partnership between Central Singapore CDC and a multinational banking corporation made ‘My Digital Bootcamp’ possible. Since its inception in September 2019, the programme has benefited over 2,000 children from 34 schools and community organisations in Central Singapore. Over 30 employee volunteers also befriended the students, distributed participation kits and meals, and assisted in guiding the students’ learning.
In addition, the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) Digital for Life (DfL) Movement has been named Champion Project at the prestigious World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Prize Ceremony 2023, which is organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
The DfL movement was named a WSIS Prizes 2023 Champion in the category “the role of governments and all stakeholders in promoting ICTs for development.” This award came after WSIS received nominations for 900 projects from around the world in 18 categories, reviewed them with experts, and received over 1.5 million online votes.
The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes recognise projects that use information and communication technologies (ICT) to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
To date, the DfL movement has more than 130 partners and 140 projects, benefiting over 270,000 Singaporeans from various segments such as youths, seniors, low-income families, women, and people with disabilities.
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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines and the University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao aim to educate the public about the benefits and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in a variety of fields.
The country has recognised that AI is one of the technologies that is starting to change the way businesses and organisations work. Because AI has so many uses, it is starting to be utilised in many different areas, and its full potential is being realised and used in many markets. Hence, businesses and organisations in the Philippines are starting to pay attention to the benefits of this.
During the recent “1st AI Pinas Research and Development (R&D) Conference and Workshop 2023,” over one hundred participants, including local and international speakers, discussed the benefits of machine learning, natural language processing, robotics, computer vision, and deep learning applied to health, education, mobility, the environment, disaster risk reduction (DRR), industries, and smart and sustainable cities and communities.
Renato Solidum Jr, DOST Secretary acknowledged that AI has the potential to increase human productivity by automating routine tasks, analysing massive amounts of data, learning new information, and making well-informed decisions.
He added that they focused on the four investment pillars, and as a result, DOST has pledged financial support for the Philippines’ rapid scientific development in this area so that the nation can fully benefit from AI technologies.
Secretary Renato confirmed that the DOST has been collaborating with multiple stakeholders to make the AI R&D framework for 2019–2029 beneficial for its intended beneficiaries. The framework focuses on building a national infrastructure, which includes:
- AI R&D centres;
- Empowering more professionals through DOST-PCIEERD training and development; and
- Encouraging more mission-driven programmes with unique applications.
He has emphasised that the Philippines are also enhancing its workforce’s capabilities. In collaboration with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP), and an open online course provider, three (3) AI Pinas training have produced 143 graduates.
Through the Smarter Philippines and R&D, Training, and Adoption (SPARTA) project, he hopes to upskill and launch the data science careers of the nation’s workforce as they aim to have 50,000 Filipino data scientists by 2029 to meet the needs and demands of the industry as they undergo digital transformation.
Dr Lyre Anni Murao, Chancellor of UP Mindanao, on the other hand, urged the use of AI to help with daily tasks, stating that AI should be given more credit for improving the quality of life and strengthening the capacity to contribute to global development.
On the other hand, Dr Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), stated that the “AI for Better Normal” investments, made possible in June 2021, have put them at the forefront of using AI to advance innovation in the country, as they have supported impactful AI projects across the country.
DOST-PCIEERD, as a leader and partner in enabling innovations in the Philippines, ensures that it strengthens local capabilities in the region. Initiatives like this strengthen ties with more developed countries and foster new collaborations that can spur future socioeconomic growth.
The event themed “Artificial Intelligence Driving Transformation and Impact in the Digital Age,” provided a forum for experts, researchers, professionals, enthusiasts, and prospective beneficiaries to update the R&D roadmap and develop a national AI R&D programme.
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Thailand organised discussions to share ideas and insights among the various parties involved in the digital startup ecosystem in Thailand. Digital advancements were discussed at a meeting between Dr Chinawut Chinaprayoon, Executive Vice President of the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), and representatives from the Institute for Digital Startup Promotion and the Lower Northern Branch office in the northern Thai province of Chiang Mai and Province of Phitsanulok.
Dr Chinawut convened a meeting with senior executives and professors from the faculties of engineering and the lower northern science park at Naresuan University, the faculty of engineering and the lower north science park at Phibunsongkhram Rajabhat University, and a group of young businessmen from the Phitsanulok Chamber of Commerce (YEC Phitsanulok).
To that end, Depa is prepared to give full attention to boosting local businesses and bolstering local entrepreneurs. Dr Chinawut emphasised the need to work together to define problems and goals to move forward as a team towards increasing digital technology exports at the national level.
Depa provided resources, such as guidance, measure and financing, to help and promote digital startup firms. The seed money aims to help new business owners get their operations up and running so they can start selling their wares to customers. The agency also provides Depa with a digital service that helps advertise, expand into new markets, and test new products. To further boost the acquisition of clients and target groups at the spot, they also developed a depa mini-Transformation Voucher.
While to encourage digital entrepreneurship growth, depa created a digital entrepreneur competition, HACKaTHAILAND 2023. Depa managed the HACKaTHAILAND 2023 competition roadshow to showcase digital initiatives and innovation in the country’s lower northern region. About 13 digital startups are competing, representing various industries and technology. To the qualified judges, they exhibit prototypes of digital solutions that will be developed to fulfil the needs of the digital economy and society. The judges come from various backgrounds, including the academic setting, startup organisations, startup founders, and the corporate world.
The judges are Ratchawut Pichayaphan, Founder of Fixi Co., Ltd.; Thanawit Tonkanya, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Horganai Limited; Sarawut Sattayawee, Assistant to the President Department of International Relations and Technology Transfer Naresuan University; Thanapat Rakpaisate.
Five further iterations of the HACKaTHAILAND 2023 Roadshow are scheduled to take place. Three rising star teams from the lower north area are qualified for the August final round of ideas competition in Bangkok.
1. The ATTRA group Digital business card-style authentication and identification platform ATTRA CARD. It has infinite potential for its new positions as a Portfolio Storage and is helpful to centralise your contacts and activity logs.
2. The Experience is a Service Marketplace for jobs, events, and other services, and it also lets people exchange knowledge in their preferred roles. Assist in shaping how each student achieves their full academic potential by focusing on developing individualised intellectual abilities and competencies, allowing for more leeway in the classroom and using study results and their interpretation.
3. DeliConn: A Reconciling Delivery Platform A method that speeds up the reconciliation process and saves accountants’ time. Thailand has been working to strengthen its internal manufacturing management and reduce waste and industrial production using digital technology solutions. DEPA and a national bank organised Digital Smart Manufacturing (DSM) training to help businesses learn the fundamentals of digital manufacturing.
The programme is meant to help Thailand achieve its goal of becoming a “Digital Thailand” by the year 2037. The country’s digital growth policy and plan were unveiled at a global conference held in Barcelona, Spain. The national programme is meant to propel the digitalisation of the economic and social strategy for 2018-2037.
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Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has launched a new initiative to boost its innovation capabilities and accelerate research commercialisation to support Singapore’s drive toward an economy based on innovation and knowledge.
The University will ramp up its educational programmes to nurture entrepreneurs and create a more conducive environment for mentoring and supporting students, faculty, and alumni looking to turn their ideas into market-ready products through its NTU Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NTU I&E) initiative.
“Our vision is to create a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem covering the entire spectrum of activity, from cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset through holistic education and experiential learning to starting a business,” says Professor Louis Phee, Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Dean of the College of Engineering.
Prof Louis, who leads the NTU I&E initiative, stated that they aspire to be a fertile breeding ground where innovative ideas, supported by a solid foundation in education and research, blossom into successful commercial entities that ultimately benefit Singapore’s economy. With digitalisation and sustainability at the forefront of new industries, NTU believes that the skills and knowledge students require to be successful are also evolving rapidly.
The North and South Spines of the University’s main campus will house the new NTU Innovation Port, a physical and digital one-stop shop for all things innovation-related. The centre will provide a forum for the NTU community and external partners to discuss start-up and innovation concepts, as well as assist industry partners seeking to collaborate or license technologies.
NTU I&E consists of both the revamped NTU Entrepreneurship Academy (NTUpreneur) and the University’s existing innovation and enterprise company NTUitive, which focuses on commercialising innovations and incubating start-ups.
The I&E initiative is part of the NTU 2025 Strategic Plan, an ambitious road map announced in 2021 that guides NTU toward becoming a global university founded on science and technology and that cultivates leaders capable of making a positive societal impact through interdisciplinary education and research.
The Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme is one of NTU’s most successful entrepreneurship plans. More than 320 students participated in the programme, travelling to the United States, Europe, China, Southeast Asia, and Australia to work with start-ups and accelerators. After graduating, 45 of these students have been inspired to start their own businesses or join a start-up.
The NTU I&E initiative aims to build on these achievements. Students from all disciplines will benefit from improved and easier access to mentorship, entrepreneurship modules and courses, and more internships through NTUpreneur.
Students will participate in experiential learning programmes such as innovation challenges, training boot camps, and workshops as part of their journey of exploration and discovery. In addition, the Overseas Entrepreneurship Programme will be expanded to include more countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Sweden, and Finland. The number of available placements will also be increased.
Recently, over 40 NTU innovations and start-ups were showcased at the exhibition area of the I&E launch event to inspire students and faculty. Deep tech software powered by blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to robotics, food technology, and health and biomedical devices were among them.
NTU’s I&E efforts align with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 Plan and will contribute to the city-upcoming state’s Jurong Innovation District. Many of NTU’s start-ups and spin-offs are currently housed at the NTU Innovation Centre on the NTU Smart Campus and the nearby CleanTech Park, putting them at the epicentre of Singapore’s Industry 4.0 transformation.
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The management and governance of data are crucial components of an organisation’s operations, ensuring the accuracy, reliability, security and accessibility of information when required. However, with the exponential increase in data generation daily, data management and governance have become more challenging.
Eliminating organisational data silos, sharing data securely and ensuring interoperability are primary objectives of data governance. These objectives are achieved by harmonising data across various systems through a collaborative process, including stakeholders from multiple domains.
As organisations increasingly rely on a range of data sources and data analytics, robust safety and protection frameworks are being put in place. They need to optimise their data governance and management processes to ensure they access clean data and use their data assets safely, effectively, and efficiently in line with these standards.
As governments require compliance with such standards, data governance becomes even more of a priority. In this context, a sound data governance strategy ensures data consistency, reliability, and ethical usage.
In the digital era, data has emerged as a vital national strategic resource and is increasingly crucial in nation-building. However, every day, new data security challenges arise, with cyberattacks and data breaches posing significant threats to countries and businesses worldwide. Consequently, both the public and private sectors are working continuously to find effective ways of addressing these mounting security concerns.
To fully leverage their data assets, organisations must prioritise the optimisation of their data governance and management processes. This includes defining data governance policies and standards, establishing data quality metrics, implementing data governance tools, promoting a data-driven culture, and monitoring and measuring data governance performance. These steps ensure that their data is accurate, reliable, secure, and readily available whenever required.
The OpenGov Breakfast Insight on 14 March 2023 held at Shangri-La The Fort Manila delivered the most effective information and data governance policies, regulations, and frameworks to drive the quality, accuracy, and availability of insights for Philippine public sector organisations.
Opening Remarks


“Data is the new oil,” according to Mohit Sagar, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, OpenGov Asia. “It must be extracted, refined and processed like oil before it can be used.”
If handled appropriately, data possesses the ability to provide remarkable and practical insights, facilitating quick and precise decision-making, which in turn can lead to gaining a competitive edge.
“When data is handled and used correctly, it allows governments to be more effective and efficient in their work. Service delivery and citizen satisfaction reflect such effectiveness and efficiency,” Mohit opines.
Data effectiveness ensures that data is fit for purpose and provides valuable insights. On the other hand, data efficiency is concerned with optimising data processing and use to maximise its value while minimising the resources needed to work with it.
In essence, they are two sides of the same coin. Both the effectiveness and efficiency of data are crucial factors for organisations that rely on data to gain business insights for making informed decisions.
However, the growing volume of data automatically collected by systems introduces a new set of risks, responsibilities and challenges. This current surge in data flow and the prevalence of cybercrime highlights the need for a comprehensive governance framework. It is imperative to implement a rigorous approach to ensure that systems and technology have a solid foundation on which to operate.
The Philippines government enacted Republic Act 10173, or the Data Privacy Act, to establish a legal framework for safeguarding citizens’ data. This law serves as a cornerstone for establishing cybersecurity standards.
Building a well-planned and strengthened foundation enables organisations to fully utilize the benefits of integrated and automated systems. Such an environment creates a seamless platform that further enhances effective and efficient citizen service delivery. It promotes alignment, making interconnectivity, integration and collaboration seamless.
A governance framework has a significant impact on data security. Although collaboration among government agencies is desirable, it comes with increased risk, particularly when data is shared. Cybercriminals can exploit the weakest link at each point where two or more organisations connect.
Nevertheless, with the right planning, the deployment of robust cybersecurity systems and the right monitoring measures could be put in place and serve as a shield against such threats. Proper planning can help establish appropriate security policies, protocols, frameworks and tech solutions. This proactive approach can help prevent security breaches, minimise vulnerabilities, and ensure the protection of sensitive data.
Mohit feels, “One of the most common solutions employed is access control. Once access and permission protocols are set in the governance policies, people across agencies work faster.”
Through such safe collaboration among agencies, data can be more effectively managed, leading to greater accuracy, security and ethical and responsible use of data. Citizens are more likely to trust a government that operates this way, promoting better relationships between governments and citizens.
“Protecting citizens’ data increases the public’s confidence in the government. Public trust is a vital component of economic security and national well-being,” Mohit says.
In the end, the establishment of secure and reliable systems builds confidence, resulting in increased uptake of government services and the best possible citizen experience. By prioritising data governance and security, agencies can foster trust, promote collaboration and enhance service delivery, ultimately leading to better outcomes for citizens.
Welcome Address


In her welcome address, Aileen Judan Jiao, President and Country General Manager of IBM Philippines, welcomed participants and highlighted their role in promoting understanding of data governance concepts, including privacy and security.
“We remain dedicated to re-engaging with the government and our goal is to clarify concepts related to data governance, including privacy and security,” Aileen confirms.
IBM has had a presence in the Philippines for 87 years and has made significant contributions to the government sector by providing technological solutions and services that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
The company has provided technical solutions and services to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations in the Philippines. They have collaborated with various government agencies to deliver technical solutions and services in industries like healthcare, education and transportation.
Their contributions to the government sector in the Philippines are demonstrated through successful projects such as the Tax Administration System, Disaster Response System, National ID System, and Electronic Passport System. These technological solutions have modernised and streamlined government operations, improving citizen services and promoting national development objectives.
“We know that public-private sector partnerships have the potential to improve the delivery of public goods and services,” Aileen is convinced. “We remained committed to and capable of assisting the government in its digital transformation efforts.”
Technology Insight


Kieran Hagan, Data, AI and Automation Principle Technical Sales Manager (ASEANZK), IBM recognizes that while the world has been disrupted by various events, digital transformation remains a significant driving force for change.
This is especially true in how businesses engage with their customers, as the pandemic accelerated the need for digital solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers.
The trend towards digital transformation is expected to continue as technology advances and consumers rely more heavily on digital channels, leading to a greater need for easily accessible and understandable data.
As a result, there is now a greater need for consumable data – data that is easily accessible and understandable – on which people can make informed decisions.
Kieran emphasises the importance of engaging citizens and providing them with personalised, seamless experiences across government services to improve service delivery. This is crucial for any government looking to make it easier for citizens to access and benefit from the services they require and improve their citizens’ trust, satisfaction and overall experience.
Sonoma County is a great example of a government that prioritised strengthening its safety net and transformed how it addressed the needs of its most vulnerable individuals and families.
Kieran highlighted the need to digitally modernise workflows and operations and maintain regulatory compliance while cutting costs and fostering innovation. DataOps is emerging as the ideal approach to managing data to improve organisations’ agility and efficiency.
DataOps, like its precursor DevOps, emphasises collaboration, automation and continuous delivery in software development. It also seeks to break down the silos between teams involved in managing data, such as data engineers, data scientists, and business analysts.
“The advent of DataOps represents a significant shift in the way that organisations manage and leverage data,” Kieran points out. “By adopting a more agile and collaborative approach to data management, organisations can make better use of their data, respond more quickly to changing business needs, and gain a competitive advantage in their respective markets.”
An essential feature of DataOps is its emphasis on data quality. DataOps focuses on ensuring data accuracy, comprehensiveness, and consistency which are crucial for making sound business decisions. Automated testing and validation technologies are used to identify data quality issues before they affect company operations.
Another example provided by Kieran was the Government of Odisha (India), which sought to address the issue of welfare fraud and ensure that the most vulnerable members of the population received the necessary assistance.
The Government of Odisha (India) utilised IBM Analytics tools to crack down on welfare fraud and identified around 500,000 false beneficiaries. By leveraging the available insights on citizens, the government was able to ensure that resources were delivered equitably and tax rupees were employed more efficiently. This effort helped the government to provide the right assistance to those who need it most and eliminate fraudulent activities that siphoned off valuable resources.
In today’s digital age, securing and protecting people, the nation and infrastructure while mitigating data collaboration risks across hybrid cloud environments are of utmost importance. The rise of cloud computing and hybrid cloud environments and the accompanying cyber security challenges now require governments to balance the need to secure their data and infrastructure while ensuring that critical information is available to those who need it.
To mitigate data collaboration risks across hybrid cloud environments, organisations should implement a comprehensive security strategy that includes a combination of technologies, processes and policies. A potent tool is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“AI is being integrated into daily life, business, government and other fields. IBM assists individuals and organisations in adopting AI safely. Only by incorporating ethical standards into AI applications and processes can we construct trustworthy systems,” Kieran believes.
A holistic approach with robust security measures, transparency, accountability, and secure technology design is highly recommended. The approach becomes more potent when combined with a continuous drive for information and education.
In Conversation With: Enhanced Data Governance that Empowers Stakeholders


Complex information sets are often the norm in today’s government data systems, necessitating the involvement and input of a wide range of stakeholders. The development of meaningful data necessary for efficient and effective decision-making requires extensive cooperation between numerous stakeholders from various government departments and sectors. Hence, the importance of data accessibility and sharing in realising the full cross-sector potential of all data types has grown in recent years.
Hector Melencio, Assistant Vice President and Head of Information Technology, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) revealed that they have open communication and every employee is involved in the whole process.
“We have the training and a customer feedback monitoring system in place, and we welcome all suggestions and input from various employees to assist us in making the data protection process better and simpler for everyone,” Hector said.
During the discussion, it was noted that allowing employees to use their personal devices or computers for official work can lead to such situations, making it challenging for organisations to maintain data privacy and security.
Hector’s agency faces challenges in ensuring data privacy because employees use their personal email addresses, making it difficult to track and secure data. While he understands the convenience of using personal email addresses, he acknowledges the need to persuade employees to use company email addresses to prevent security breaches.
Danilo N. Javier, Chief, Information and Data Management, Department of Energy (DoE) shared that his agency promotes inclusive representation and engaged relevant stakeholders in the data ecosystem through its community engagements, data-sharing policy and an open source platform.


Danilo’s department has implemented a data-sharing policy to improve operational efficiency and increase the trustworthiness of its data ecosystem. This policy empowers and proactively engages all relevant stakeholders, including government agencies and private sector partners. The Department of Energy works with various organisations to ensure the energy needs of the Philippines are met securely and sustainably.
“The policy ensures that data is shared transparently and securely, while also respecting individuals’ privacy and encouraging researchers to share their findings with a broader scientific community,” Danilo explains.
Danilo confirmed that the Department of Energy has a strong commitment to securing data sharing, with a focus on ensuring that data is stored and shared securely through robust data infrastructure.
“We are planning to have a zero trust architecture to further enhance their security measures. Right now, we have standard security measures to protect data, encryption, access control and secure data storage.”
The aim is to ensure that their data ecosystem is trustworthy and reliable, and stakeholders can have confidence in the accuracy and confidentiality of the data being shared.
PAGCOR has similar data privacy and data sharing policies to DoE. To improve the system’s trustworthiness, the agency has data safety and privacy, data encryption, access controls, regular security audits and feedback from various stakeholders, Hector confirms. As an added security measure, they conduct numerous audits and risk assessments regularly.
PAGCOR’s main data storage strategy involves the use of hybrid systems. They combine old and new systems to ensure robust security with continuity. They have been involved in improvements over the past two years, and are in the process of procuring the ERP, HRIS, casino management system and different initiatives that would make them competitive and more secure.
Closing Remarks
In closing, Aileen emphasised two areas in data governance. First is the true value of data and second skills. As organisations seek to leverage data to gain insights, make informed decisions, and achieve strategic goals, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals in data management.
“By addressing the data management skills gap, organisations can help individuals advance in their careers and organisations realise the full potential of their data,” says Aileen. “Rectifying the mismatch requires a collaborative effort from individuals, organisations and communities. We are trying to do our part in terms of the skills problems.”
She encourages participants to approach them to avail themselves of their free data governance co-creation workshop for all organisations.
“Transforming the culture of an organisation is a challenging and prolonged undertaking that necessitates consistent endeavours over time,” says Mohit. “You cannot change the culture of your organisation overnight, but you can make one small change.”
Although it is impossible to instantly transform the culture of an organisation, making minor adjustments can result in substantial long-term outcomes. Even small modifications have the power to spark substantial transformations within a company’s culture and serve as positive catalysts for broader change.
“The success of data governance developments hinges on the power of collaboration. Uniting various stakeholders, each with unique insights and proficiencies, is integral to guaranteeing that organisations’ procedures and policies concerning their information management are productive, streamlined, and embraced throughout the company,” Mohit concludes.