THE Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is committed to equipping Filipinos with information, communication and technology (ICT) skills as part of the country’s effort to transition to a digital economy.

“Our mission [is] to be enabler in pushing the country’s development and transition toward a world-class digital economy,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said during the Saascon PH: Bridging Saas

Founders, Enterprises and Investors event organized by Sprout Solutions at the Marriot Hotel on Tuesday.

“We provide support and guidance in the form of capacity and capability development activities” such as “upskill and rescale the Filipino workforce following the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 [of the government],” he added.

Also, the full utilization of technologies will help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand and proliferate more startups, which can give an advantage to the Philippines as a startup ecosystem.

“ICT as well as the lead agency to strengthen and develop the country’s startup economy [and] is in coordination with other departments such as [the] Department of Trade and Industry,” Uy added.

Moreover, part of digital transformation is focusing on young entrepreneurs, startups and MSMEs to be globally competitive. The PDP 2023-2028 provides for deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path.

It also aims to advance research and development, technology and innovation; develop entrepreneurial skills by mentoring; promote innovation hubs; and increase financing opportunities, among others.