PH needs to compete with digitalized neighboring countries - Marcos

The Philippines has to compete with its neighboring countries when it comes to digitalization so that the country can easily do business with them, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr said. 

''Because that's the only way to do it. You cannot operate in 2025 na kinakamay-kamay mo ang forms, pupunta-punta ka sa opisina, take three days, tatlong araw, kasi akala mo tapos na yung dokumento mo, ah hindi, may kulang pa ito, pumunta ka doon, tapos lalapit na 'yung fixer sa'yo, the whole experience, the whole bad experience,'' Marcos told GMA Integrated News when asked why he has since pushed for using the eGov PH Super app.

(You cannot operate in 2025 that you're just using forms, you will go to offices and it will take three days, you'll think your document is finished but it's not. Then a fixer will approach you, the whole experience, the whole bad experience.) 

''So that doesn't work anymore. And if we are to compete as a country, as an economy, kailangan natin makipagsabayan (we need to compete). And look at China, how digitalized China is. We have to be at that level. Look at Singapore. Look at Korea. Ito 'yung mga karatig bansa natin (these are our neighboring countries). These are the people we do business with. So to be able to do business with them properly, we need to digitalize,'' Marcos added. 

Marcos said digitalization is not only for business or for education. 

''It's absolutely imperative now that children know how to use a computer, they know how to use the internet, and they know how to do work on the internet,'' Marcos said. 

To achieve digitalization, Marcos said the public should be informed and educated as well, especially those living in far-flung areas.

''We will have to educate our people but again, 89 million, that's a good majority already of Filipinos who can,'' Marcos said.

Marcos wants to increase awareness of the use of eGov PH Super app to provide easier access to national and local government services. 

The eGov PH Super App, which has more than 13 million users and offers 47 integrated service modules with over 150 million transactions.—LDF, GMA Integrated News