DICT Secretary Ivan Uy’s legacy: A stronger PH cyber backbone

Outgoing Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy has led key developments for the Philippines’ digital infrastructure. 

Since his appointment in 2022, he has been launching monumental changes in digital identity, e-governance, and cybersecurity.

READ: DepEd, IT-BPM leaders discuss Philippine education

As a result, he will leave a lasting legacy impact on the Philippines’ ICT landscape.

Pioneering digital transformation

The Digital National ID is one of Secretary Uy’s landmark achievements. Under his leadership, the DICT has generated 85 million digital IDs.

This initiative allowed Filipinos to access essential services without relying on physical documents or cards. 

Moreover, the Digital National ID has facilitated transactions across the private and public sectors, making government services more efficient and paperless. 

As of February 2025, over 100 million transactions have used the National ID, reinforcing digital trust in governance. 

DICT Undersecretary for eGovernment David Almirol Jr. said that “the Digital National ID is more than just an ID.”

“It’s the foundation of a truly digital government,” he added.

eGovPH Super App: A Unified Digital Gateway

DICT Secretary Uy oversaw the development and expansion of the eGovPH Super App. It’s a digital platform that consolidates multiple governments into a user-friendly interface. 

It integrates the following government agencies for its 11 million users and 120 million recorded use cases: 

• Department of Health (DOH)
• Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
• Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) 
• Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)
• Philippine National Police (PNP)
• Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
• Land Transportation Office (LTO)
• Overseas Workers Administration (OWWA)
• other organizations

Also, eGovPH incorporates hundreds of Local Government Units (LGUs) like Quezon City’s Business One-Stop-Shop and Parañaque’s Online Services.

Under Secretary Uy’s leadership, the app has gained new features, such as:

• eJobs
• eHealth
• Start-Up Empowerment
• eTravel
• Citizens eReport
• OFW Services
• Artificial Intelligence capabilities

Almirol says the Super App makes accessing government services easier for every Filipino, but “this is just the beginning.” 

READ: How to use the eGov app for easy Pinoy government services

Before Secretary Uy’s resignation, the DICT has planned phases two and three of the National Fiber Backbone in mid-2025.

This development will significantly improve nationwide internet speed and reliability, which Almirol said is crucial for a strong digital government. 

Revolutionizing government data exchange

Another cornerstone of Uy’s digital governance was the implementation of the E-Government Data Exchange Platform (eGovDX) in May 2023.

The DICT modeled it after Estonia’s X-Road Platform, enabling seamless government agency integration without direct data sharing. 

As a result, eGovDX simplifies document submission processes while removing costly system duplication.

In other words, DICT Undersecretary for eGovernment David Almirol Jr. says it ensures “citizens don’t have to submit the same documents over and over again to different agencies.”

It also helps reduce government spending on system maintenance, cloud services, and data centers for a more cost-efficient digital transformation.

A lasting legacy in the ICT sector

DICT Secretary Uy’s projects have significantly improved the Philippines’ position in global digital governance rankings. 

In 2024, the country climbed from 80th to 49th place out of 193 countries in the United Nations (UN) E-Participation Index. 

READ: Philippines rises 31 spots in 2024 UN e-Participation Index

This milestone is an impressive leap in less than two years, highlighting the success of DICT’s whole-of-government approach to digital transformation.

Following Uy’s departure from the DICT, the agency expressed its deep appreciation for his leadership and vision. 

“Secretary Uy’s leadership has been instrumental in modernizing government services and making digital transformation a reality for the Philippines,” Almirol stated.” 

“His vision has paved the way for the future of e-governance, and we at DICT will continue to build on this momentum.” 

“The work is far from over. We are committed to pushing the boundaries of digital transformation and ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in the digital age.” 

Secretary Uy will leave a legacy that will pave the way for a digitally empowered Philippines.