Report on Digital Governance and Sustainable Development in the Philippines

Introduction: Aligning Digital Transformation with the Sustainable Development Goals

The Republic of the Philippines’ classification in the “Very High” tier of the United Nations E-Government Development Index signals a robust foundation for leveraging digital governance to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. A virtual workshop convened by the Tech for Good Institute, involving government, industry, and academic stakeholders, examined how digital platforms are being utilized to advance national policy and public service delivery. This report synthesizes the key findings, with a significant emphasis on how these digital initiatives contribute to specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Empowering Policy Implementation for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth

Enhancing Education and Economic Opportunity (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

Digital platforms are proving instrumental in advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by democratizing access to skills development and economic participation.

• Vocational Training: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Online Program overcomes geographical barriers to deliver professional certification courses. With high completion rates, it expands access to quality education and skills training, directly supporting SDG 4.
• MSME Empowerment: Strategic partnerships between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and e-commerce platforms like TikTok and Shopee provide Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with market access, digital training, and regulatory guidance. This fosters inclusive economic growth and decent work, aligning with SDG 8.

Streamlining Social Protection and Public Services (SDG 1 & SDG 16)

The integration of digital platforms into social services and administrative processes is critical for achieving SDG 1 (No Poverty) and building SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

• Efficient Aid Distribution: The use of GCash for government aid distribution has reduced delivery times from weeks to days, ensuring that assistance reaches vulnerable populations swiftly during crises. This directly contributes to poverty alleviation targets under SDG 1.
• Administrative Modernization: The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) has implemented electronic grants systems, eliminating cumbersome physical processes. This move towards streamlined, citizen-centric digital workflows enhances institutional effectiveness and accountability, a core tenet of SDG 16.
• Social Security Access: Grab’s collaboration with the SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG Fund extends social protection to workers in the gig economy, contributing to both SDG 1 and SDG 8.

Overcoming Digitalization Challenges to Advance the SDGs

Building Inclusive Infrastructure and Reducing Inequalities (SDG 9 & SDG 10)

Addressing foundational infrastructure gaps is essential for ensuring that digitalization promotes SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

1. Targeted Connectivity: The USD 287 million Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project, supported by the World Bank, specifically targets underserved communities. This approach ensures that the benefits of digital transformation are distributed equitably, reducing the digital divide as per SDG 10.
2. Local Government Digitalization: The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has connected over 838 Local Government Units (LGUs) via its eLGU platform, building resilient and inclusive digital infrastructure from the ground up, in line with SDG 9.

Fostering Trust and Institutional Accountability (SDG 16)

Building citizen trust is paramount for the success of e-governance and the realization of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Low initial uptake of government digital services highlighted a trust deficit, which is being addressed through:

• Demonstrating Value: Initiatives like GCash’s rapid aid distribution and the eGov Philippines super app build credibility by delivering tangible, efficient, and reliable services.
• Integrated Service Delivery: The eGov Philippines app consolidates over 1,000 government systems into a single interface. This consolidation simplifies citizen-government interactions and enhances transparency and accountability, strengthening public institutions as envisioned by SDG 16.

Investing in Human Capital for a Digital Future (SDG 4 & SDG 8)

Sustainable digital transformation requires a skilled populace capable of participating in the digital economy, a goal that supports both SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• National Digital Jobs Strategy: The “Trabahong Digital” policy roadmap aims to create 8 million digital jobs by 2028.
• Accessible ICT Training: This policy is supported by the TESDA Online Program’s free tech-voc courses and over 4,000 Tech4ED centers providing ICT training in rural areas, ensuring lifelong learning opportunities and readiness for the future of work.

Leveraging Strategic Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

The progress in the Philippines’ digital governance landscape is fundamentally driven by multi-stakeholder collaboration, embodying the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

Public-private partnerships are the cornerstone of the nation’s digital strategy. Bodies like the e-Commerce Promotion Council and the FinTech Alliance Philippines bring together government and industry to co-develop policies on digital payments, infrastructure, and consumer protection, demonstrating a mature collaborative approach to achieving shared development objectives.

Innovating Regulation for Sustainable Development

Regulatory innovation enables progress while managing risks, contributing to stable economic growth (SDG 8) and strong institutions (SDG 16).

• Regulatory Sandboxes: The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have established sandbox frameworks for financial and crypto-asset services. These allow for controlled innovation, enabling regulators to develop evidence-based policies that foster growth without compromising stability.

Enhancing Institutional Efficiency and Community Safety (SDG 16 & SDG 11)

Partnerships are yielding measurable improvements in government efficiency and public safety.

• Reducing Bureaucracy: The NEHEMIA program, under the Ease of Doing Business Act, has achieved a 52% reduction in processing time across key sectors, directly advancing the goal of effective and accountable institutions under SDG 16. Manila’s Business One-Stop Shop is a prime example of this success.
• Promoting Public Safety: Grab’s partnership with the Philippine National Police, which includes an in-app SOS button connecting users to emergency services, contributes to making cities and communities safer and more resilient, in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Strategic Recommendations for Sustained Digital Governance

To ensure the long-term success and sustainability of digital governance initiatives, the following strategic approaches are recommended:

1. Maintain Clear Roles: Effective co-creation requires clear boundaries, with the government focusing on policy and oversight and private platforms providing technical and operational expertise. This ensures accountability and alignment with public welfare objectives.
2. Build on Existing Behaviors: Digital governance is most effective when it integrates with existing citizen behaviors and platforms, rather than requiring the adoption of entirely new systems.
3. Institutionalize Collaboration: Progress from ad-hoc partnerships to institutionalized collaboration to build lasting trust and create comprehensive policy frameworks that consistently advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article discusses online technical and vocational training to improve skills for employment.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The focus is on creating digital jobs, supporting MSMEs through e-commerce, and improving the ease of doing business.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – A central theme is the development of digital infrastructure, increasing internet connectivity, and promoting innovation in public services.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights efforts to provide digital services and infrastructure to underserved communities and deliver social assistance more efficiently.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The core of the article is about improving digital governance, making institutions more effective, accountable, and transparent through technology.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article repeatedly emphasizes the importance and success of public-private partnerships in achieving digital transformation goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • The article points to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) online programme, which provides professional certification and overcomes geographic barriers. It also mentions the “Trabahong Digital policy roadmap” supported by TESDA’s free tech-voc courses to equip citizens with digital competencies.
2. Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
   • This is addressed through partnerships between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and e-commerce platforms like TikTok and Shopee, which provide MSMEs with access to digital marketplaces, training, and regulatory guidance. The reduction in business permit processing time also supports entrepreneurship.
3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • The article details the “USD 287 million Digital Infrastructure Project” supported by the World Bank, which specifically targets underserved communities to improve broadband internet connectivity.
4. Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet.
   • This is shown by the systematic connection of “over 838 Local Government Units (LGUs) through DICT’s eLGU platform” and the establishment of “over 4,000 Tech4ED centres” to deliver ICT training in rural areas.
5. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of…economic or other status.
   • The article discusses how GCash-enabled aid distribution allows for direct and immediate assistance, bypassing intermediaries. It also mentions that infrastructure projects are designed based on lessons learned to avoid limiting platform effectiveness in areas with connectivity gaps, thus promoting inclusion.
6. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • This is a central theme, exemplified by the “eGov Philippines super app” which consolidates over 1,000 government systems into a single interface. The NEHEMIA programme, which reduced processing time and requirements, and Manila’s Business One-Stop Shop, which cut permit processing to one day, are direct examples of making institutions more effective and transparent.
7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article is built on examples of such partnerships, including the “e-Commerce Promotion Council,” the “FinTech Alliance Philippines,” collaborations between GCash and the DSWD, and Grab’s work with the Philippine National Police. These collaborations are presented as essential for successful digital governance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 4.4: Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills.
   • The article provides specific metrics for the TESDA online programme, including “high completion rates (90% annually)” and the provision of “187 free tech-voc courses.” The existence of “over 4,000 Tech4ED centres” also serves as a measurable indicator of access to ICT training.
2. Indicator for Target 8.3: Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex.
   • While not a direct measure, the “Trabahong Digital policy roadmap” aiming to create “8 million digital jobs by 2028” is a clear quantitative goal to increase formal, digitally-enabled employment.
3. Indicator for Target 9.1 & 9.c: Proportion of the rural population covered by a mobile network; Fixed-internet subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
   • The article provides the value of the “USD 287 million Digital Infrastructure Project” and the number of “over 838 Local Government Units (LGUs)” connected through the eLGU platform, which are direct measures of infrastructure expansion.
4. Indicator for Target 10.2: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income.
   • The article implies progress by citing the increased efficiency of aid delivery. The reduction in government response time for aid distribution via GCash from “weeks to 1-2 days” is a performance indicator for reaching vulnerable populations more effectively.
5. Indicator for Target 16.6: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget; Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
   • The article references the Philippines’ ranking in the “UN E-Government Development Index” as a high-level indicator. More specific metrics include the “52% reduction in processing time, requirements, and procedures” under the NEHEMIA programme and the reduction of business permit processing in Manila “from eight days to just one day.” The fact that only “13% of internet users accessed government services” is cited as a baseline indicator for trust and satisfaction that needs improvement.
6. Indicator for Target 17.17: Dollar value of financial and technical assistance committed to developing countries.
   • The article provides qualitative and quantitative indicators of partnerships, such as the “FinTech Alliance Philippines’ industry-wide representation of over 130 member firms” and the existence of multi-sector bodies like the “e-Commerce Promotion Council.” These represent the scale and formalization of public-private collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: techforgoodinstitute.org