DICT to launch app

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will spearhead an effort at open and transparent governance with an app to provide all the information regarding the country's ICT infrastructure, especially free internet hotspot areas.

- By RAINIER ALLAN RONDA

Newly installed DICT Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda, at his first press conference as head of the department last April 3, expressed hope that the effort would encourage other government agencies to institutionalize open governance and full transparency via their websites and by tapping technology.

"Everything that DICT does has to be on an app where the citizen can see it. That's what we are aiming for," Aguda said in a joint press conference with the Department of Education (DepEd), digital media and communications startup Republic Asia and iAcademy for the "Pay IT Forward" digital learning initiative at the ECJ Building in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday.

Included in the meeting were DepEd Assistant Secretary Aurelio Paulo Bartolome, Republic Asia chief executive officer Bran Reluao, and iACADEMY president Raquel Wong.