Philippines rises 31 spots in 2024 UN e-Participation Index
The Philippines climbed 31 spots in the 2024 United Nations (UN) e-Participation Index (EPI), securing 49th place.
This increase marks a significant improvement from its 80th rank in 2022. The EPI checks how effectively countries use online tools to encourage citizen participation in government processes.
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Article continues after this advertisementDepartment of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy lauded the achievement as it aligns with the government’s commitment to digital transformation.
The PH rises in the UN e-Participation Index and beyond
“This milestone underscores our dedication to making government services more accessible, transparent, and participatory for every Filipino,” said Uy.
The DICT attributes this milestone to its flagship eGov Super App. It integrates national and local government services, ranging from business registration to tourism information.
Article continues after this advertisement“The eGov Super app aggregates existing systems using Single Sign-On (SSO) and API integration…,” DICT Undersecretary David Almirol stated.
“…allowing seamless access to government services while maintaining compatibility with current agency systems.”
The Philippines’ rise in the e-Participation Index manifests in the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI).
The EGDI measures online service provision, telecommunication connectivity, and human capacity.
Nowadays, the nation ranks 73rd, up from 89th in 2022 and overtaking 16 countries. Also, it achieved an EGDI score of 0.7621, exceeding the 0.6382 global average.
The Philippines pursues further digital transformation
The Philippines’ rise in the UN e-Participation Index is only the beginning.
The DICT is working with the following government agencies to integrate the Philippine eVisa Portal into the eGov Super App:
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
- Department of Tourism (DOT)
- Bureau of Immigration
This initiative will simplify the visa application process for tourists. Consequently, they can visit the country more easily, boosting its tourism sector.
Beyond the rankings, the eGov Super App is a one-stop shop for local government services like permit applications. The following agencies helped expand its features:
- Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
- Department of Health (DOH)
- Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
The new functions include health benefits from eKonsulta, resume-building tools for job seekers, and a unified travel declaration system.
Almirol noted that the DICT plans to collaborate with more agencies to add more features.
For example, it may gain citizen-reporting modules, job matching systems, artificial intelligence (AI) bots, and start-up empowerment.
The DICT signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with more than 50 government agencies to further its digital shift.
As a result, it solidifies its role in improving the nation’s global standing in digital governance.
“Our vision is to empower Filipinos with a citizen-centric solution that simplifies their interactions with the government,” the DICT Undersecretary stated.
