Google holds digital connectivity seminar with PHL lawmakers

Philippine legislators recently received pointers on using online tools to better reach their constituents, especially those living and working abroad.

 

At a recent seminar for public servants, Google pointed out the advantage of using online tools in reaching some 33 million Filipinos connected to the Internet, and 11 million OFWs abroad.

 

“We want to help our public servants learn how to reach the Filipino people through the Internet by understanding the digital landscape in the Philippines and the online behavior of Filipinos. Filipinos are very technologically-savvy. They are constantly online. And the better way to engage with Pinoys about issues that concern them is to meet them where they are - online, whether on their laptops or mobile phones,” Google Philippines country manager Narciso Reyes said.

 

Several legislators attended the seminar by Google Philippines and the office of Sen. Pilar Juliana Cayetano, Google Philippines said.

 

The seminar focused on how Google Search, Google+ Hangouts, and YouTube can be used to engage with people and allow them to interact with government officials.

 

During the seminar, Google showed how other countries like the United States, Japan, Korea and Indonesia launched campaign strategies using Search, YouTube, and Google+ for electorate education in their recent elections.

 

"We hope Philippine legislators will be able to use the Internet to strengthen communication and engagement with their constituents. We also want to help Filipinos make informed decisions about issues that affect them, especially this election season,” said Deborah Nga, Country Lead for Public Policy and Government Affairs in the Philippines for Google Southeast Asia.

 

Google noted mobile penetration in the Philippines is at 111 percent and around two-thirds of mobile users possess Internet-enabled devices (ADMA 2012).

 

It cited a 2011 study by Decision Fuel and InMobi, where Filipinos spend 54 percent of their time online on their laptops and mobile phones.

 

Filipinos also spend 27 percent of their time watching TV, 13 percent listening to the radio, and six percent reading newspapers.

 

“As a public servant, I want to make sure that I am accessible to the people, and at the same time get feedback from them, especially those who spend a lot of time on social networks. I believe that creating a presence on the Internet will not only help us get closer to our constituencies and interact with them, it will also help them become educated about our programs,” said Cayetano, who maintains a website, blog, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and a Twitter account. — TJD, GMA News