House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has underscored the need to accelerate the Philippines’ digital transformation, saying initiatives such as GovNet will help the government provide faster, more transparent and more accessible public services.
The Speaker’s message was delivered on his behalf by Isabela Board Member Manuel Faustino “King” Dy during the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-led launch of GovNet Ilagan in Ilagan, Isabela.
Addressing national and local officials, Dy described GovNet as a pathway toward better governance and as part of the Marcos administration’s efforts to modernize the country’s physical and digital infrastructure.
“Ang paglulunsad ng GovNet Ilagan ay hindi lamang po tungkol sa pagkakaroon ng internet o fiber-optic cables. Ito po ay daan tungo sa mas mahusay na pamamahala—dahil kapag konektado ang ating mga ahensya, mas mabilis ang koordinasyon, mas epektibo ang serbisyo, at mas gumagaan ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Ito po ang tunay na layunin ng digital transformation,” the Speaker said in his message.
“Malinaw po na ang hangarin ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ay hindi lamang ang pagtatayo ng mga kalsada at tulay. Naglalatag din po tayo ng digital infrastructure upang makapaghatid ng mga serbisyong kapaki-pakinabang at mas maginhawang buhay para sa bawat Pilipino,” he added.
He said that while the Build Better More program connects communities through physical infrastructure, the National Broadband Program, eGovPH App, and GovNet link citizens directly to government services through technology.
“Ito po ang isa sa pinakamahalagang pamana ng administrasyong ito—ang pagbuo ng pundasyon para sa isang tunay na Digital Pilipinas. We are laying the groundwork for a digitally empowered nation,” the House Speaker said.
He also highlighted the House of Representatives’ role in advancing digital transformation through landmark legislation, including the approval of the eBayad Bill, a priority measure of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
He said the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize digital payments across government, speed up transactions, reduce red tape and improve transparency.
“Our goal is to help build the foundations of a truly modern government—one where Bagong Pilipinas evolves into a Digital Pilipinas, where government services are faster, more transparent, and more accessible to every Filipino,” he stressed.
The House Speaker also noted that the House had approved the Right to Information Act to strengthen government transparency and the Child Online Safety and Protection Act to protect Filipino children from online exploitation, cyberbullying, and other digital threats.
“Sapagkat ang digital transformation ay hindi lamang nagdadala ng innovation. Ito rin po ay mahalagang instrumento para sa accountability, responsibility, at public trust,” he said.
Under the GovNet Ilagan project, more than 50 government offices across Isabela will gain access to faster, more secure, and more reliable internet connectivity.
The project is expected to improve the delivery of services by local governments, schools, and other public institutions.
He also congratulated the DICT, the Provincial Government of Isabela, the City Government of Ilagan and other stakeholders involved in the project’s implementation.