Senate OKs creation of Dept.

of
Information and Communications
Technology
February 28, 2012 10:58am

Tags: ict, informationandcommunicationstechnology, dict

By KIMBERLY JANE TAN, GMA News

The Senate on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill creating the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT).
Senate Bill No. 50 seeks to create the DICT, which shall carry out all the communications-related powers and
functions of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC).
It shall likewise be the "primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, regulating and administrative
entity" of the executive branch of the government that will plan, promote and help develop the country's ICT
sector.
This new department will not only provide meaningful policy support to these information-driven industries, but
also ensure that other government agencies get to utilize ICT for improved governance, said Sen. Edgardo
Angara, main author and sponsor of SB 50.
Like the other line agencies, the DICT shall be headed by a secretary who shall be appointed by the President
of the Philippines subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.
But in the creation of the DICT, the following agencies shall be abolished and their powers, functions, funds,
records, equipment, and properties shall be transferred to the department:

all operating units currently existing in the Commission on Information and Communications
Technology (CICT);
National Computer Center (NCC);
Telecommunications Office (TELOF); and
all operating units of the DOTC with functions and responsibilities dealing with communications.
On the other hand, the following agencies shall be attached to the DITC for policy and program coordination:

National Telecommunications Commission

Philippine Postal Corporation.
- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/249660/news/nation/senate-oks-creation-of-dept-of-information-and-communicationstechnology#sthash.aDB3qSiR.dpuf