(Aprub sa World Bank) $600-M LOAN PARA SA PH DIGITAL TECH

APRUBADO na sa World Bank ang $600-million loan para sa pinaigting na paggamit ng digital technology sa Pilipinas.

Ang unang “Digital Transformation Development Policy Loan (DPL)” sa bansa ay inaprubahan ng board of executive directors ng World Bank upang tulungan ang pamahalaan na i-digitize ang mga operasyon at pag­hahatid ng serbisyo at maisulong ang paggamit ng digital payments at financial services.

Makatutulong din ito sa pagpapatupad ng mga reporma para itaguyod ang e commerce, mapalakas ang kumpetisyon at value-added activities sa digital services markets, at mapalakas ang skills development sa industriya.

“Greater adoption of digital technology can improve the efficiency and transparency of government services, empowering individuals who were previously far away from decision-making centers,” wika ni Ndiamé Diop, World Bank Country Director for Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand.

“Digitalizatione can also drive productivity growth, by reducing operating costs for firms and enhancing their resilience and preparedness for future crises.”

Sinabi pa ng World Bank na ang malawakang pagpapatupad ng digital payments sa Pilipinas ay mahalaga para sa pag-unlad ng isang digital economy, na magbibigay benepisyo sa milyon-milyong mamamayan at maliliit na negosyo.

Sa kasalukuyan ay marami pa rin ang gumagamit ng cash sa pagbabayad sa pagbili sa grocery stores (95 percent), government service payments tulad ng driver’s licenses o birth certificate issuance (97 percent), at government fees at penalties tulad ng traffic violation tickets (88 percent).

“Transitioning to a cashless economy would provide various benefits, especially during climate-related and natural disasters, enabling the government and the private sector to respond swiftly and efficiently,” sabi ni Smita Kuriakose, Lead Economist in the World Bank’s Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice.

“With digital transactions, affected individuals can receive government assistance or insurance payouts promptly, facilitating their recovery and rebuilding efforts.”