Why eGovPH services temporarily bogged down amid high demand

Insufficient funding for cloud server space appears to have played kryptonite to the government’s eGovPH super app, causing temporary disruptions in digital transactions recently, as the platform struggles to keep up with surging demand.

According to Bernadette Reyes’ report in “24 Oras” on Monday, Ann Valdez is one of the users of the online platform wherein she can access her digital government IDs as well as for payment of government services.

“It’s very convenient for someone like me who is working, especially since I cannot take a leave easily,” she said.

But the supposed “super” app experienced temporary interruptions in some of its services for two days last April. The issue was discussed during a Senate hearing on April 29.

Following the rollout of several features on the app, the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) said the usage surged and exceeded the system's capacity. This includes the verification of beneficiaries for government aid amid high fuel prices.

“Our digital National ID e-verify platform engine is integrated with 28 other platforms managed by the DICT. They are all hosted on the same cloud services. Sad to say, we had no choice but to disable 12 government systems,” said DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr.

When Senator Bam Aquino asked if it was because of a lack of funding for cloud server space, Almirol replied: “Yes, that’s the reality, Mr. Chair.”

Digital advocacy group Digital Pinoys explained that a cloud service is an infrastructure wherein data is stored at a cost.

“The government opts for this approach to minimize the costs of building physical data bank infrastructure. It operates on a subscription basis, so like any other subscription service, if you fail to pay, the provision of the service to you will be interrupted,” said Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo.

The DICT said that around 3,000 servers are being supported by its infrastructure, and 95% of it are hosting systems of other agencies. The department believes that it would be better if the subscriptions of the government agencies were decentralized.

The DICT has also requested a budget from the DBM.

“Currently, we have a pending request with the Department of Budget and Management. There are two requests: one for P500 million and another for P700 million,” said DICT Undersecretary Leonido Pulido III.

The DICT understands the inconvenience caused by the disruption in the services within the eGovPH Super app.

“The people are slowly building their trust in digital governance. This is not just a mere technical problem; it could also cost the government the people's trust,” said Gustilo. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA News