Mapping ICT4D
Projects In The Philippines
Noriel Tiglao & Erwin A. Alampay

	DEFINING ICT4D
	What then is ICT4D ?
	METHODOLOGY FOR MAPPING ICT4D PROJECTS
	RESULTS
	ICT4D APPLICATIONS
	E-government / E-governance E-business E-learning E-health E-employment E-environment E-agriculture E-science
	LIMITATIONS
	CONCLUSIONS
	BIBLIOGRAPHY
	ANNEX A - WSIS definition of ICT4ED Applications
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This objective of this project is to inventory information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) projects in the Philippines. It serves as an initial step, prior to determining the criteria for choosing exemplary cases of ICT4D applications in the country. In so doing, it also helps achieve the World Summit on the Information Society's (WSIS) objective of promoting ICTs for Development (Section C1 of the WSIS Plan of Action 2003). This includes developing reliable information on successful experiences of mainstreaming ICTs and the development of a website where best practices and success stories can be compiled (Sec E28-e, WSIS Plan of Action 2003).

DEFINING ICT4D [ top ]

In this study, ICTs refer to technologies that facilitate by elect ron ic means the creation, storage, management and dissemination of information. Broadly defined, it includes the use of the radio, television, telephone and cell phone. One consideration was that the use of "old" or traditional ICTs should have a digital interface. However, excluding television, radio and the telephone from other digital devices may not necessarily be useful given how the development of technologies have converged, where radio can be played in computers and TV shows on cable are digitally delivered.

This definition was used by the Digital Opportunities Task Force (2002), and is consistent with recent research on ICT4D initiatives in India (MCIT 2004) and the Asia Pacific (Curtain 2004), which also included, among others, the use of community-radio. By considering both the old and new types of ICTs, ICTs can be seen as a vehicle for communication rather than simply a means for processing information (Curtain 2004).

Development projects, on the other hand, pertain to activities that relate to the socio-economic well-being of the country or the community. This involves activities related to health, education, commerce, the envi ron ment and governance. They are projects that are administered within a context of an organization, hence, applications by individuals are excluded.

The terms of reference for this research also called for classifying the projects according to four categories: 1) Political/ Governance/Empowerment 2) Economic/Livelihood; 3) Social/Education; and 4) Infrastructure/Access. However, given that these categories by themselves may be too broad to be useful, the project broke the categories further according to the ICT applications mentioned in WSIS section C7 (see Annex A). How the typology in the terms of references matches with the WSIS classification of ICT applications is shown in Table1.

What then is ICT4D ?

In the last ICT4D conference held in Cebu, it was explained that the definition of what ICT4D varies greatly, from the expansive view that all ICT project are ICT4D, to the restrictive, that focuses only on community-based projects that increase access and use of ICT by marginalized communities. A middle-ground that was proposed was to identify projects that directly lead to the empowerment of people (Lallana 2004b). Another consideration is whether a project serves the needs of the poor especially with respect to dimensions of poverty such as poor health, lack of voice and lack of information (Curtain 2004).

Given the above consideration of what ICT4D is, and the objectives of the ict4d.ph, the ICT4D.ph Steering Committee has agreed that the ICT projects that have a direct impact on empowering people in poor communities, help alleviating poverty, or address key millennium development goals should be highlighted. In this sense, over the course of the 'ICT4D road show,' the criteria for selecting ICT4D cases has slowly crystallized.

However, even though a stricter definition of what ICT4D has evolved over the course of this project, the information from the initial database has been kept intact, or unfiltered. This is because the information contained therein remains valuable in the overall context of what the ICT4D program intends to accomplish. Keeping the database intact, will also be useful for people who would subscribe a broader definition of ICT4D.

For this paper, a short summary of what the database contains will be presented first. It will then be followed a short sampling of projects that have been presented in the previous ICT4D conferences, as well as some projects in the database, that closely subscribe to the evolving criteria of ICT4D.ph.

METHODOLOGY FOR MAPPING ICT4D PROJECTS [ top ]

In mapping the ICT4D projects in the county, the researchers started with existing databases from different organizations involved in the field. Databases were obtained from the Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA), National Computer Center (NCC), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), National Mapping Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Congressional Oversight Committee on E-commerce (COCEC). Since the information provided by these organizations overlap and provide different data sets, the database was cleaned for double-entries, especially for projects conducted by multiple organizations.

The database was then supplemented by desk reviews of ICT4D related articles, dissertation and thesis from different universities in Metro Manila (UP, Ateneo, La Salle, AIM, UAP). E-mail surveys were also sent to ICT Foundations and organizations listed in the NCC directory. Survey forms were also distributed in various ICT conferences, including the Philippine Summit on the Information Society (PSIS). Response rates for the surveys, however, was low.

The initial results of the mapping was presented in a series of conferences in the Philippines, starting with Mindanao, then the Visayas, and finally culminating in two Luzon conferences. Cases and projects were collected from the regions through information gathered from regional partners (i.e. RITECC, NEDA, DOST, etc.), and the conference workshop participants.

fter noting the lack of cases from NGOs, a follow-up survey was sent via fax/email to the mailing list provided by the Non-profit Sector Project of the NCPAG. However, again, very few responses were generated from this.

RESULTS [ top ]

As of 10 February 2005, the research has 490 ICT projects in its database. Some projects were classified in multiple categories. A majority of the projects listed were government initiatives. Fifty six per cent (56.6%) of the projects in the database was classified as an e-government/governance project. The next most common were e-learning applications (26.4%) (Refer to Table 2).

ICT4D APPLICATIONS [ top ]

1. E-government / E-governance

Most of the projects listed in the database were classified as e-government (n=277). One explanation is that it is easier to access government information, and governance, in general encompasses many activities. Government is also the largest contributor to the local economy. This being the case, there's also diversity in e-governance projects. For one, the e-governance list would show at least one project that deals with other areas (i.e. health, learning, business, science, etc.). Second, there's a diversity in the technologies used. Some are web-based, others use SMS, and others pertain to management information systems and local area networks.

Websites

Notable websites that have won awards from the National Computer Center (NCC) are Naga City, Nueva Ecija Province, Zamboanga del Sur Province and the municipalities of Ge ron a, Tarlac and Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. Abra de Ilog and Nueva Ecija are websites that used the NCC's template. Among the features that can be seen in some of these websites are services for job-placement, e-mail, community consultation/polling and feedback mechanisms. Some agencies and LGUs also allow for downloading and online submission of forms.

Short Messaging Systems (SMS)

The use of Short Messaging Systems (SMS) has also become a popular medium. The Congressional Oversight Committee on e-Commerce study revealed that 50% of national government agencies surveyed used SMS based services, either for complaints, suggestions, and request for information (Lallana & Samanodi, 2004). Examples of these services include Patrol 117, the Department of Education's DETxt, TextSSS, Patrol 2920 and Text CSC among others.

Computerization and specialized databases

An example of a successful introduction of ICTs at the local level is Naga City. Naga City has been cited by the UNDP as an exemplar and their I-gov program is one of the more well-documented cases in the country today (Robredo 1999, Rodriguez & Min 2003, Alampay et. al. 2003) . The city's website, which updates and informs the citizens on city services, financial and bidding reports, city legislation, investments data, statistics and the procedures in the local bureaucracy. Among the tangible results from the program was improvement in local finances with revenues reaching Php 132M in 2002 from only Php 13M in 1988. Transparency in bidding procedures helped reduce procurement costs. Service delivery has become more efficient with determination of business taxes processing reduced from 4 hours to only 1 minute, birth certificate issuance, from 1 week to only 30 minutes, processing of mayor's permit from 4 hours to only 30 minutes; and obtaining a building permit from 15 days to only 5 days during Mayor Robredo's term (Rodriguez & Min 2003).

nother database system is the one NEDA uses for the Special Zone of Peace And Development (SZOPAD). They have an interactive web-based database system that allows the other government offices and the NEDA regional offices in Mindanao to directly post and update data and information on their respective programs and projects. The system is accessible through the NEDA website. Through the website, the public can also access and view information on SZOPAD programs and activities in Mindanao.

Geographic Information Systems

Two cases on the replication and use of geographic information systems (GIS) for local governance were presented in Cagayan de Oro and Cebu, respectively. The first pertained to an 'internally' developed Revenue Generation System by Cagayan de Oro City that in three years has been successfully replicated in 4 provinces, 8 cities, 125 municipalities and 1 corporation since 1998. The other case is a 'Backyard GIS' system that was introduced in Capiz using basic computers, and built on data generated from previous SRA-MBN Surveys. Given that the SRA is the most available and extensive making it a viable choice for pilot application development. Maps generated from the GIS system was then used in a Participatory Barangay Planning Budgeting Workshop. This was helpful in identifying the barangay's infrastructure and investment plans and projects, as well as helped developed a shopping list of priorities for funding .

Emergency Response

ICTs have also been very useful for LGU emergency services. Davao has a Central Communication and Emergency Response Center that uses a special computer software to help authorities respond to distress calls. It was developed to help fight crime and lawlessness in Davao City. Using the 911 system, Davao Light & Power Company, Inc. uses a modified Geographic and Information System-and called it the Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (ECAD) to help authorities locate the origin of emergency calls. The system also tracks how fast the police could respond to the emergency calls. It uses color-coded icons to monitor movement and location of police mobile units. Marikina and Cavite have similar programs , and in Marikina's case they guarantee a 5 minute response rate to any emergency in the city (Alampay 2001).

Forty-four (44) e-business applications were included in the database. However, most of the projects listed fail the strict ICT4D criteria.

Most of the applications, were meant to improve services solely to its customers, or to tap a new market. For instance, Aboitiz has an e-ticketing/SMS ticketing service that provides a channel for passengers to directly book and pay for their own tickets and allows ticketing agents to issue any accommodation for any Super Ferry voyage online. It also provides Easy Cards which is a pre-paid, re-loadable and refundable card for passengers that provides the safety and security of not having to carry around cash while on its vessels. The web is also being used for information on tourist sites; commodities price watch, and as elect ron ic yellow pages (e.g. EYP.ph)

There are also different B2B models, with b2bpricenow, bayantrade and sourecphilipines.com. There are also virtual malls that cater to selling local product abroad especially OFWs (e.g. Divisoria.com; turoturo.com), or getting Filipinos abroad to buy local products for relatives in the Philippines (e.g. myAyala.com; PadalaKo.com).

Some projects are geared specifically for small and medium sized enterprises. For instance, eastASEANbiz.net project involves capability-building for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Another project is by the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC) called the APEC Centre for Technology Exchange for Small and Medium Enterprise (ACTETSME). The program intends to accelerate the development of SMEs in the region through information, technology and training exchange and make them more competitive both in local & foreign markets. The Center operates as a resources hub with capability for information networking, organizing special activities to facilitate technology transfer projects and HRD development through training.

3. E-learning

E-learning is the second most common application (n=129) of ICTs, after e-government. Among the education related projects were: (a) distance learning; (b) ICT skills development; (c) networking knowledge institutions; (d) providing access and exposure to new technologies and (e) content development.

Distance learning is delivered through various technologies. For instance, Fr. Francis Lucas (1999) has documented a radio broadcasting model for teaching rural women and household in Quezon about farming technologies. On the other hand, the National Broadcasting Network and the National Institute for Science and Math Education use the television in its Continuing Science Education for Teachers via Television (CONSTEL) project. It made use of the latest broadcast satellite technology combined with well-researched and carefully produced tele-lessons. This could then be used to train elementary and secondary school teachers in teaching English, Science and Mathematics. Also, the United Nations Development Pogramme has the Text2Teach program that has been piloted in 40 elementary public schools in poorer areas in the Philippines. It enables schools to order science videos from elect ron ic libraries using SMS technology. Other courses and topics delivered on a distance learning mode are courses on journalism (Konrad Adenauer Center for Journalism), on social health insurance (IPHM).

Children and Youth Foundation of the Philippines and the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise run the e-Skills Learning Project . The eSkills is an innovative approach in training students in trade and livelihood skills. The goal of the project is to improve the quality, delivery system, and widen the reach of skills and technical training and education. Selected courses demanded by the market and successfully run by training institutions are converted into web-based formats and interactive modules. A portal hosts the developed curricula, which are accessible through the Internet. Compact discs (CDs) are made available to those with no Internet connections. Interested training institutions and organizations link with CYFP to access the developed modules. They can be used to run new training programs/courses, as replacements to current programs or as supplements to existing ones. The project provides web-based educational content, online testing, instructor training and technical support.

ICTs are also being used to enhance teaching skills and techniques. For instance, the Diliman Interactive Learning Center provides technical support and facilities for faculty members to develop digital instructional resources. De La Salle University, on the other hand, uses the Virtual Classroom which was licensed by the National University of Singapore to use its online learning system, called: Integrated Virtual Learning Envi ron ment (IVLE). Through the IVLE, teachers are able to enhance or complement their teaching by making courses available in cyberspace.

In Region 8, Information Technology Training and Development Centers has been institutionalized in seven (7) partner state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the region. It has effectively empowered the host SUCs with the capability to provide the countryside with relevant and efficient ICT education and services needed to improve the quality of life of its people.

Another e-learning application is the linking together of various research and educational institutions, through a common infrastructure. For instance, the Philippine Research, Education & Government Information Network (PREGINET) involved the establishment of a nationwide broadband network for research and education institutions involved in the development and demonstration of new technologies, services and applications w/ connectivity to international research and education networks. The E-library project, on the other hand, integrates the current libraries and information sources into a single network, with focus on Philippine materials to serve a wide range of clients. Other materials & links such as online library database systems are also made available and accessible by subscription.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) in partnership with Science Education Institute and Intel Philippines, on the other hand, provides Mobile Information Technology Classrooms (MITCs) that use an air-conditioned 32-seat bus equipped w/ 17 laptops, television sets, 2 VHS players, 2 LCD projectors, 2 projector screens, public address system, printer and generator set. They are equipped w/ the latest in education technology facilities, computers & audio-visuals and instructional materials in science and technology. They provide science and mathematics coursewares in CD & VHS formats. There are similar projects in Bulacan province and by the DOST.

As for content development, one example is the the creation of a Kankaney Encyclopedia-Dictionary. This project highlights the importance of local language and culture.

4. E-health

As of now, there are only 23 health projects listed in our database. E-heath initiatives can be classified into two main categories. One is for health information and education which can be transmitted through the internet, SMS and dedicated hotlines. Second is for specialized databases and information systems.

Examples of health information projects include the Department of Health's SARS Hotlines and Textlines. Med Info. Inc. on the other hand provides an SMS service that allows users to ask about disease symptoms and medication information (such as dosage). Another project is the Information and Communication Technology Capacity Building for Asia Network (ITCAN) project which is an Internet-based communication service (i.e. mailing lists and a central portal with all training materials an online resource database of best ICT practices). ITCAN's objective is to transfer knowledge and create skills on best Internet practices for providing quality HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health services and information as well as ICT-enhanced management information systems.

The Institute for Popular Culture (IPC), based in Ateneo de Manila, on the other hand, has been conducting a series of e-conferences on health issues called Qu4Rad (www.qu4rad.net). The QU4RAD network is an international collaboration that aims to assist people (providers, users, citizens) improve their management of medicines for health care by facilitating communication, learning and experimentation and combining scientific, cultural and moral-ethical reasoning in a glocal (global and local) context. Among the e-conferences that they have hosted are on social health insurance, quantifying medical requirement of community health programs and the next is on the role of social insurance in pricing essential medicines. Similarly, the Institute for Public Health Management (IPHM) (www.iphm.org) offers distance education services for local public health managers. Among the topics they offer are courses on health micro insurance, strategic management, and health leadership. Health education and providing social health insurance was actually pioneered by Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, which used the TV as media for reaching people (Alampay & Ong 2003).

As far as database are concerned, a notable project is the Infectious Disease Data Management System which captures, analyzes and shows health data, specifically on Tuberculosis & Rabies, through the use of maps through its GIS modules.

lthough not included in our database, a previous Galing Pook entry from Pangasinan Province reported how linking information about hospital medical needs of all government hospitals in the province helped reduce the cost of medicine purchases by 50%. This is especially important ever since devolution eliminated the economies of scale provided by a centralized purchasing performed by the Department of Health (Alampay, 2001).

5. E-employment

There are fifteen (15) e-employment projects listed in the database. Most of them deal with employment opportunities both local and abroad, money remittance and workers' safety.

The use of the web for job-matching is being done at the national local, and even by non-governmental organizations. For instance, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has a web-based job matching service (http://phil-jobnet2.dole.gov.ph) for individual job applicants and interested establishments. It matches skills needed and location (or area of operation) of the establishment. They also provide an online service for OFW applicants to check the status of the recruitment agency facilitating their employment.

Similarly, come local government units provide local job postings on their websites. Among them are Naga City, Bulacan Province and Bohol Province. Non-profit organizations also make use of the Internet to find volunteers to field for local non-governmental organizations. I-volunteer.ph for instance claims to be the Philippines' first volunteer portal where NGOs can post their volunteer requirements.

These online job-matching services can be investigated on whether it really expands opportunities for people, or whether it simply mirrors real life preferences by establishments and employers (Niles & Hanson 2003).

iven the huge numbers of Filipinos working abroad, another common use of ICTs is to provide the needed social support for their families. For instance, ATIKHA's BaliKabayani has a multi-service center in San Pablo City that brings the latest communication technologies to the OFW and their families to help bridge the communication gap and address family relation problems brought by prolonged separation. They also offer free tutorials to children and relatives of OFW on the use of internet, e-mail, net meeting, cyber photos and cyber greeting cards which they can use in communicating to their parents or brothers/sisters abroad. Similarly, the OWWA, during the Iraq war, provided "Tele-Ugnayan Centers" around the country, which served as pseudo-calling centers to link OFWs in the Middle East with their families at home. In Cebu, the "Friends of Pedro Foundation" provides psycho-spiritual services for OFW families through the Internet.

6. E-environment

Thirty-two (32) envi ron mental programs were listed in the database. Most of the projects listed involved Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. Geographic information systems applications have also been used to map out, contour, hydrology, land use, soil type, erosion, land cover, population, among others.

Use of ICTs for the envi ron ment also involved empowering people to report cases of envi ron mental pollution or degradation. Notable is the use of SMS to link up citizen with government in monitoring the envi ron ment. Among them are Bantay Usok , Bantay Dagat and Bantay Kalikasan .

Radio and television, on the other hand, has been very useful in raising awareness and pushing for envi ron mental causes. An example of this was Miriam's local radio program called "Radio Kalikasan" as early as 1991.

lthough it was not included in the database, the National Disaster Coordinating Center and the PAG-ASA use satellite technology to monitor the weather and envi ron mental disturbances. The Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (bas.gov.ph) has a link to updated Pag-asa weather forecasts that also show predicted mean sea level pressure and wind and updated satellite photos of the country.

7. E-agriculture

There were twenty-four (24) e-agriculture projects in the database. Among the ICT applications used for agriculture were the use of database of research applications such as the Agriculture and Fisheries Research and Development Information System (AFRDIS) project of the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) . It interconnects 56 research and development agencies nationwide into 11 clusters. It provides a virtual data backbone for the government R&D sector that will be linked to the National Information Network (NIN) of the Department of Agriculture, as specified in RA 8457 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997. It enables the general public and media to access research and technology information from all these agencies. A similar program is being implemented by the DOST called the Agriculture and Natural Resources Information Network (AGRINET). PCCARD also has the Farmers' Information and Technology Services (FITS)/TechnoPinoy Databases. It is used to facilitate faster access to information and fast track the delivery of services at the provincial and municipal level related to the clients' information and technology needs in agriculture, forestry and natural resources. Connected to this is the "Open Academy for Philippine Agriculture" project. Also called the "Internet ng Magsasaka," it aims to provide information on new technologies to farmers and extension workers through the Internet and will initially contain information on rice.

PH Domain Foundation, on the other hand, has a different approach towards agricultural and rural development technology knowledge-sharing, and this is thru the formation of its own e-groups and mail lists. They also provide an online consultancy program that gives users access to agriculturists, lawyers, bankers and women's rights advocates, among others.

Another important agricultural application of ICTs is with respect to the dissemination of farm prices, via the Internet and through fax and radio that is done by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics . Their website (www.bas.gov.ph) has a daily updated price watch and a link with Pag-asa regarding the weather situation. Land Bank also has a marketing program called " Palengke sa ere " that is also radio-based and airs from 5-7 am and 6-8 pm.

ast, geographic information systems are also being used in agriculture to identify soil patterns and topographies and mapping properties disposed of in agrarian reform communities.

8. E-science

According to Hamelink (2003), one dimension of the interaction of informational developments and society pertains to technology. Among the basic human rights that people have is to benefit equally from technological developments. Hence, projects that pertain to the access of the ICT infrastructure was included under e-science. Included among the projects that provide access are the Multipurpose Community Telecenter project (www.barangayconnect.ph); ATIKHA's use of video phones for OFW families (Diamond, 1993; Doyo, 2002); OWWA's Tele Ugnayan project during the Iraq war (Alampay, 2003) ; broadband access, such as in PREGINET and CATNet and IFDCI's use of satellite and omni directional antennas (Hocson, 2002). In addition to this, the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of DOST, has been at the foref ron t of developing open source software through such programs as Open Source Systems for Workstations and Servers and Linux Terminal Server Project and the Bayanihan linux (http://bayanihan.gov.ph). These projects will optimize the use of open-source and freeware software without sacrificing the integrity of hardware specification of the system at a lower cost.

An interesting program for providing access to the disabled is called "Computer Eyes". This program is implemented by IBM Philippines together with Resources for the Blind. More than 80 blind students coming from special education centers from Metro Manila and various provinces participate in a camp. Participants are taught new skills and access to information through the Internet. Over a span of two weeks, they are taught how the computer works, learn word processing, build and upload their personal websites. Students are aided by a screen reader program that speaks, through a sound card, the text displayed on the screen.

E-science projects also include linking together research and educational institutions and knowledge which was also previously mentioned under e-learning. Among these are the e-library project; research database on agriculture and fisheries.

LIMITATIONS [ top ]

By being more inclusive in the database, we are saying that we would rather err on the side of including a project that is in the end classified as Not ICT4D (Type I error), rather than start with a restrictive definition and make the mistake of excluding a worthwhile project that is actually ICT4D (Type II error). We, did , however, make minor exclusions. For example, we excluded purchasing of computers, although we included computer donation. We also excluded the creation of techno-parks for investments.

The database is also far from being exhaustive. For one, we realized that there are "common" projects that have been replicated many times over, such that putting them in the database will be an endless undertaking. For instance, we did not put down all the local government units (LGUs) with websites, considering that the NCC estimates that 99% of all LGUs already have websites. Instead, we only included some websites that have been cited for awards and in publications. Likewise, the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and computerization of tax mapping has also become a pervasive application, hence, only the use and examples of LGUs using them were placed in the database. The use SMS, for feedback and basic information has also been common, and the list provided is not exhaustive.

Mapping ICT4D projects will always be a work in progress. Given that the definition of ICT4D, and the criteria for selecting cases that fit that definition is also evolving, the database has kept its initial mapping intact until a definitive criteria is agreed upon.

CONCLUSIONS [ top ]

By the end of ICT4D conference series, the criteria for selecting the best ICT4D cases eventually took shape. Among the criteria considered by the committee were the following:

1. The contribution and relevance of the project in people's lives.
2. The innovativeness, creativity and appropriateness in the use of ICT infrastructure to deliver services to the disadvantaged.
3. How the project is able to build the capacity of the community/organization, and evidence that it can be sustained and replicated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY [ top ]

Alampay, Erwin; Richard Heeks and Peter Soliva (2003). Bridging the Information Divide: A Philippine Guidebook on ICTs. The National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines and the Institute of Development Policy and Management, University of Manchester.

Alampay, Erwin Gaspar A. and Ronald Ong (2003). "Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko" Occasional Paper No. 2003-02. July 2003. Philippine Nonprofit Sector Project. University of the Philippines.

Alampay, Erwin (2001-unpublished). "Elect ron ic Governance: The Philippine Situation." Case materials written for the Asian Institute of Management.

Alampay, Erwin A. (2002). "People's Participation, Consensus-Building and Transparency through ICTs: Issues and Challenges for Governance in the Philippines." Kasarinlan Vol. 17, No. 2 pp. 273-292. University of the Philippines.

Andam, Zorayda Ruth. (2003) e-Commerce and e-Business . e-ASEAN Task Force and UNDP-APDIP.

Curtain, Richard (2004). "Information and Communications Technologies and Development: Help or Hindrance? Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) - Virtual Colombo Plan.

De los Reyes, Charita. (2003). "Ang Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at ang Neokolonyal na Edukasyon sa Pilipinas (1945 - Kasalukuyan)." Kasarinlan Vol. 17, No. 2 pp. 139-166. University of the Philippines.

Diamond, David (1993). "One Nation, Overseas" Wired Magazine. January 1993.

Doyo, Ma. Ceres (2002). "The men the OFWs left behind." Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 14, 2002 p. 1.

Estopace, Dennis (2004). "SMART Rides on Money Sent by Pinoys Abroad." Personal Investing, Business Today. TODAY Augist 6, 2004:15.

Hamelink, Cees (2003). Human Rights for the Information Society.

Hocson, Tess (2002-unpublished). The Ivatan Foundation for Development Communications, Inc. (IFDCI). Case Report.

Lallana, E. C. and Suharni Samanodi. (2004). "State of e-Government in the Philippines, 2003-2004: Part 1 - Executive Offices and Independent Commissions." Congressional Oversight Committee on e-Commerce, Republic of the Philippines.

Lallana, E. C. (2004b) 'ICT4D Global Views' presented at the Cebu ICT4D Conference, 2004.

Lallana, E. C., P. J. Pascual and E. S. Soriano. (2002). "E-Government in the Philippines: Benchmarking Against Global Best Practices." Kasarinlan Vol. 17, No. 2 pp. 235-272. University of the Philippines.

Lucas, Francis B. (1999). "A radio broadcasting model for rural women and farm households." Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). can be downloaded at http://www.fao.org/WAICENT/FAOINFO/SUSTDEV/Cddirect/Cdan0026.htm

National Information and Technology Council. (1997). IT 21: Philippines: Asia's Knowledge Center, IT Action Agenda for the 21 st Century . Manila, Philippines.

Niles, Sarah and Susan Hanson (2003). "A New era of accessibility." URISA Journal. Vol. 15, APA I.

Robredo, Jesse (1999). "Creating Customer Focus in City Government" in Leadership and Change in City Management. Asian Cities in the 21 st Century. Contemporary Approaches to Municipal Management. Asian Development Bank. ADB Institute. pp. 74-90.

Rodriguez, Luz L. and Brian Min. (2003). i-Governance Program, Naga City, Philippines : and innovations in Technology and Governance Case Study. The Ash Institute of Democratic Governance and Education, Harvard University.

Rye, Ranjit Singh. (2002). "E-Governance in the Philippines: Insights for Policy-Making." Kasarinlan Vol. 17, No. 2 pp. 101-138. University of the Philippines.

Trinidad, Arnie C. (2002). "An Initial Assessment of the Philippines' Preparedness for E-Learning." Kasarinlan Vol. 17, No. 2 pp. 167-192. University of the Philippines.

World Summit on the Information Society (2003). Plan of Action .

ANNEX A - WSIS definition of ICT4ED Applications [ top ]

ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life

ICT applications can support sustainable development, in the fields of public administration, business, education and training, health, employment, environment, agriculture and science within the framework of national e-strategies. This would include actions within the following sectors:

E-government

• Implement e-government strategies focusing on applications aimed at innovating and promoting transparency in public administrations and democratic processes, improving efficiency and strengthening relations with citizens.
• Develop national e-government initiatives and services, at all levels, adapted to the needs of citizens and business, to achieve a more efficient allocation of resources and public goods .
• Support international cooperation initiatives in the field of e-government, in order to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency at all levels of government.

E-business

• Governments, international organizations and the private sector, are encouraged to promote the benefits of international trade and the use of e-business, and promote the use of e-business models in developing countries and countries with economies in transition .
• Through the adoption of an enabling environment, and based on widely available Internet access, governments should seek to stimulate private sector investment, foster new applications, content development and public/private partnerships.
• Government policies should favor assistance to, and growth of SMMEs, in the ICT industry, as well as their entry into e-business, to stimulate economic growth and job creation as an element of a strategy for poverty reduction through wealth creation.

E-learning

• Develop domestic policies to ensure that ICTs are fully integrated in education and training at all levels, including in curriculum development, teacher training, institutional administration and management, and in support of the concept of lifelong learning.
• Develop and promote programmes to eradicate illiteracy using ICTs at national, regional and international levels.
• Promote e-literacy skills for all, for example by designing and offering courses for public administration, taking advantage of existing facilities such as libraries, multipurpose community centres, public access points and by establishing local ICT training centres with the cooperation of all stakeholders. Special attention should be paid to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.
• In the context of national educational policies, and taking into account the need to eradicate adult illiteracy, ensure that young people are equipped with knowledge and skills to use ICTs, including the capacity to analyse and treat information in creative and innovative ways, share their expertise and participate fully in the Information Society.
• Governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders, should create programmes for capacity building with an emphasis on creating a critical mass of qualified and skilled ICT professionals and experts.
• Develop pilot projects to demonstrate the impact of ICT-based alternative educational delivery systems, notably for achieving Education for All targets, including basic literacy targets.
• Work on removing the gender barriers to ICT education and training and promoting equal training opportunities in ICT-related fields for women and girls. Early intervention programmes in science and technology should target young girls with the aim of increasing the number of women in ICT careers. Promote the exchange of best practices on the integration of gender perspectives in ICT education.
• Empower local communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas, in ICT use and promote the production of useful and socially meaningful content for the benefit of all.
• Launch education and training programmes, where possible using information networks of traditional nomadic and indigenous peoples, which provide opportunities to fully participate in the Information Society.
• Design and implement regional and international cooperation activities to enhance the capacity, notably, of leaders and operational staff in developing countries and LDCs, to apply ICTs effectively in the whole range of educational activities. This should include delivery of education outside the educational structure, such as the workplace and at home.
• Design specific training programmes in the use of ICTs in order to meet the educational needs of information professionals, such as archivists, librarians, museum professionals, scientists, teachers, journalists, postal workers and other relevant professional groups. Training of information professionals should focus not only on new methods and techniques for the development and provision of information and communication services, but also on relevant management skills to ensure the best use of technologies. Training of teachers should focus on the technical aspects of ICTs, on development of content, and on the potential possibilities and challenges of ICTs.
• Develop distance learning, training and other forms of education and training as part of capacity building programmes. Give special attention to developing countries and especially LDCs in different levels of human resources development.
• Promote international and regional cooperation in the field of capacity building, including country programmes developed by the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies
• Launch pilot projects to design new forms of ICT-based networking, linking education, training and research institutions between and among developed and developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
• Volunteering, if conducted in harmony with national policies and local cultures, can be a valuable asset for raising human capacity to make productive use of ICT tools and build a more inclusive Information Society. Activate volunteer programmes to provide capacity building on ICT for development, particularly in developing countries .
• Design programmes to train users to develop self-learning and self-development capacities.

E-health

• Promote collaborative efforts of governments, planners, health professionals, and other agencies along with the participation of international organizations for creating a reliable, timely, high quality and affordable health care and health information systems and for promoting continuous medical training, education, and research through the use of ICTs, while respecting and protecting citizens' right to privacy.
• Facilitate access to the world's medical knowledge and locally-relevant content resources for strengthening public health research and prevention programmes and promoting women's and men's health, such as content on sexual and reproductive health and sexually transmitted infections, and for diseases that attract full attention of the world including HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
• Alert, monitor and control the spread of communicable diseases, through the improvement of common information systems.
• Promote the development of international standards for the exchange of health data, taking due account of privacy concerns.
• Encourage the adoption of ICTs to improve and extend health care and health information systems to remote and underserved areas and vulnerable populations, recognising women's roles as health providers in their families and communities.
• Strengthen and expand ICT-based initiatives for providing medical and humanitarian assistance in disasters and emergencies.

E-employment

• Encourage the development of best practices for e-workers and e-employers built, at the national level, on principles of fairness and gender equality, respecting all relevant international norms .
• Promote new ways of organizing work and business with the aim of raising productivity, growth and well-being through investment in ICTs and human resources.
• Promote teleworking to allow citizens, particularly in the developing countries, LDCs, and small economies, to live in their societies and work anywhere, and to increase employment opportunities for women, and for those with disabilities. In promoting teleworking, special attention should be given to strategies promoting job creation and the retention of the skilled working force.
• Promote early intervention programmes in science and technology that should target young girls to increase the number of women in ICT carriers.

  E-environment

• Governments, in cooperation with other stakeholders are encouraged to use and promote ICTs as an instrument for environmental protection and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• Government, civil society and the private sector are encouraged to initiate actions and implement projects and programmes for sustainable production and consumption and the environmentally safe disposal and recycling of discarded hardware and components used in ICTs.
• Establish monitoring systems, using ICTs, to forecast and monitor the impact of natural and man-made disasters, particularly in developing countries, LDCs and small economies.

E-agriculture

• Ensure the systematic dissemination of information using ICTs on agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, forestry and food, in order to provide ready access to comprehensive, up-to-date and detailed knowledge and information, particularly in rural areas.
• Public-private partnerships should seek to maximize the use of ICTs as an instrument to improve production (quantity and quality).

E-science

• Promote affordable and reliable high-speed Internet connection for all universities and research institutions to support their critical role in information and knowledge production, education and training, and to support the establishment of partnerships, cooperation and networking between these institutions.
• Promote electronic publishing, differential pricing and open access initiatives to make scientific information affordable and accessible in all countries on an equitable basis.
• Promote the use of peer-to-peer technology to share scientific knowledge and pre-prints and reprints written by scientific authors who have waived their right to payment.
• Promote the long-term systematic and efficient collection, dissemination and preservation of essential scientific digital data, for example, population and meteorological data in all countries.
• Promote principles and metadata standards to facilitate cooperation and effective use of collected scientific information and data as appropriate to conduct scientific research.