Download the full version of the ICT Manifesto here.
From L-R: George Barcelon, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chair for Services; John Forbes, American Chamber of Commerce, Senior Adviser; Guillermo Luz, National Competitiveness Council, Co-Chairman; Eddie Dorotan, Galing Pook Foundation, Executive Director; Czarina Medina-Guce, Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines, Executive Director; Karrie Ilagan, Microsoft Philippines, General Manager; Jean-Philippe Courtois, Microsoft International, President; Ed Araral, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Vice-Dean of Research; Issa Cuevas-Santos, Gawad Kalinga, Founder; Jersey Miranda, Gawad Kalinga, IT Director; Roxanne Yu, Makati Business Club, Programs Director; Dondi Mapa, Microsoft Philippines, National Technology Officer
MANILA, 25 November 2015 – Microsoft Philippines today launches ‘ICT for Shared Prosperity: A Technology Manifesto for the Philippines, 2016 and Beyond’, which identifies national challenges and issues that need to be addressed, and key technology pillars that can help in championing and driving economic progress in the Philippines.
The Manifesto identified three economic growth drivers that rely heavily on technology for their operations: Business Process Outsourcing, now a USD 20-billion industry in the country; Online Filipino Workers or freelancers, now estimated at over 1 million strong; and Small and Medium Businesses, which comprises of 99% of the total business landscape in the Philippines and contributes 35% to the national GDP.
Leveraging these growth drivers, Microsoft has identified challenges and key pillars that will help the country ultimately leapfrog technological development:
- Preparing people for the future through 21st century education
- Building a more equitable society by ensuring connectivity for all
- Leveraging ICT to enhance competitiveness in a mobile-first, cloud-first world
- Moving towards a 21st century government that uses technology to become more trusted, more efficient, and more responsive.
- Providing a safe and secure online environment for citizens, especially children, who represent the country’s future
Microsoft Philippines, who collaborated with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and the Asian Institute of Management, share the vision of how the Philippines can take the next step in its development process that is powered by the right technology.
The significance of this Manifesto is underscored by the visit of Jean Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International, to the Philippines. Courtois has previously expressed his support for similar efforts in UK and Mexico, and his attendance at the launch of the ICT Manifesto in the Philippines signifies Microsoft’s the commitment to an ICT-enabled world on both on a global scale and locally in emerging economies such as the Philippines.
“I have been in Microsoft for 30 years and over that time, I have been struck by the magnitude of change driven, or enabled by, technology and the way the world is thinking differently about reshaping our future through mobility, social, big data and cloud, embracing digital in everything we do,” said Courtois in his opening statement. “In fact, this is also driving Microsoft’s transformation that is rooted on the company’s enduring mission: to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.”
This milestone punctuates Microsoft Philippines’ own celebration of its 20th Anniversary, giving the local subsidiary front row seats to the evolution of technology not only in the country but across the world. Microsoft in the Philippines has witnessed first-hand how technology has transformed and enabled many businesses, and saw the need to further this agenda that would help equip stakeholders with the right tools and skills to meet the ever changing needs of the business, economic and digital landscape.
Karrie Ilagan, General Manager of Microsoft Philippines, welcomed the audience of government officials, legislators, civil society organizations, and industry leader. She reiterated that technology has really become a crucial foundation for society. “We now continue to fulfill our role of harmonizing the thinking behind how ICT plays a part in this big task, and provide the necessary resources to make it happen, be it about solutions, expertise in the ICT sector, consulting, products, and services.”
Ilagan added that this manifesto is also a call-to-action for various industries and government entities who can help mobilize this manifesto and turn it into reality. “We cannot do this alone; we need the help of everyone in society to ultimately champion this Manifesto and empower the nation to maximize technology to their advantage.”
The ICT for Shared Prosperity: A Technology Manifesto for the Philippines, 2016 and Beyond, was presented during the launch by Professor Eduardo Lee Araral, Vice Dean and Associate Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
“This manifesto is aimed at framing and advancing the discussions around a national ICT agenda, and we are keen on forming strong partnerships with civil society and industry stakeholders such as those present today to make this a reality. On the part of Microsoft, we will continue to develop secure platforms and infrastructure that enable industries to thrive and new companies to be born. And we will make tools that empower people and organizations to be more productive and respond quickly and effectively to the challenges they face.,” concluded Courtois.