A chance to refocus on what truly matters

DECODED: TECH, TRUTH, AND THREATS

If reports and discussions surrounding the possible leadership of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) point toward Edwin Lacierda taking on a key role, it may be an opportunity worth welcoming, particularly at a time when the country’s digital transformation agenda requires both credibility and focus.

Many Filipinos remember Lacierda primarily as the Presidential Spokesperson during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III. But reducing him to that role alone misses an important part of his background. Beyond government communications, Lacierda has deep exposure to technology, digital systems, startups, and fintech.

His involvement in the Philippine technology ecosystem, particularly in digital payments and innovation, gives him practical insight into how technology works beyond government rhetoric. That matters.

The challenge facing DICT today is not simply launching more apps, announcing more partnerships, or producing impressive presentations. The challenge is execution.

The Philippines does not suffer from a lack of digital ambitions. It suffers from fragmented systems, interoperability issues, uneven cybersecurity maturity, procurement bottlenecks, sustainability concerns, and, perhaps most importantly, continuity in implementation.

If Lacierda indeed joins or leads DICT, he would do well to focus not on headlines, but on the agency’s most vital deliverables.

First, cybersecurity must become non negotiable. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, government systems, citizen data, and critical infrastructure remain attractive targets. The country needs stronger cyber hygiene, accelerated implementation of defensive frameworks, regular audits, vulnerability disclosure mechanisms, and a culture where cybersecurity is treated as infrastructure, not an afterthought.

Second, e-government services must work reliably. Citizens do not care about technical jargon or digital transformation buzzwords. They care if services are accessible, stable, and useful. A digital government platform that crashes, fragments user data, or becomes inaccessible during peak demand defeats its own purpose. Reliability, interoperability, and long term sustainability must become priorities.

Third, DICT must address digital inclusion. Connectivity remains uneven across many provinces. For millions of Filipinos, digital transformation remains theoretical because reliable internet remains unavailable or unaffordable. Technology policy that excludes rural communities only deepens inequality.

Fourth, digital identity and trusted digital transactions require clarity, transparency, and accountability. Filipinos deserve confidence that their personal data is protected and that systems are designed with privacy and security at the core, not added later as compliance requirements.

Finally, DICT needs to rebuild trust with stakeholders, industry, cybersecurity experts, academe, civil society, and even critics. Government technology improves when agencies are willing to listen, engage openly, and welcome scrutiny rather than avoid it.

The next DICT leadership, whether Lacierda or anyone else, will inherit enormous expectations. The task is no longer simply digitization. It is digital governance that works.

Technology is not the goal. Better public service is.

And if Lacierda is indeed stepping into this role, many in the technology sector will hope he brings not just political experience, but the practical, innovation-oriented mindset that the department urgently needs.