CICT rethinking ICT department strategy

Due to the lukewarm response of Congress to the creation of a Department of ICT (DICT), the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) is reconsidering its plan of action. According to De Rivera, CICT OIC, they are looking into the possibility of creating a "think-tank type" group (like NEDA) instead of a department. Read article

Think tank group or not, I think the ICT agenda would not be one of Congress' top priorities. First of all, most of the members of Congress know very little about ICT, more so its impact on society and government. Second, pushing for an ICT department will not further the personal interests of the Congressmen or Senators. It will not get them votes nor campaign funds. So unless the CICT is able to surmount these hurdles, the establishment of the DICT might remain a pipe dream.