The National Computer Center (NCC) traces its roots to the former Presidential Economic Staff (PES) - Department of National Defense (DND) Computer Center, which was created through a Memorandum of Understanding between the PES and DND on June 30, 1968.

However, it was Executive Order 322 that formally established NCC on June 12, 1971. As a joint project of the PES, the DND and the National Science Development Board, NCC was created and placed under the Office of the President. Its fundamental functions were to provide information bases for integrated planning and implementation of development programs and operational activities in the government. It was also tasked to provide computer service support, integrate electronic data processing (EDP) operations in government, and establish an EDP Educational Center.

Presidential Decree 1480, titled “Providing for the Restructuring of the National Computer Center”, and issued on June 11, 1978, further strengthened and enhanced the powers and functions of NCC.

The first 10 years of NCC’s existence were devoted to introducing the use of computers to the government. What NCC did then was to knock on doors – educating, directing and guiding national agencies on the fundamental uses and benefits of computers. NCC’s role was direct and total − from systems conceptualization, design and development, down to system implementation.

The rationalization of government computerization gained strength from the passage of PD 1408, and the issuance of Letter of Instruction Nos. 1380 and 1381. These mandates empowered NCC as a regulatory body particularly in the areas of developing technical manpower, and in the acquisition of computers and peripherals.

The 1990s marked the end of NCC’s direct services to government agencies, and ushered in the priming of the country’s ICT environment for the strategic applications of ICT in government. Likewise, NCC became involved in the aggressive promotion for the use of ICT in large-scale, strategic, mission-critical, public service delivery-oriented, and revenue-generating information systems in government.

Executive Order 125, issued in July 19, 1999, provided for the revitalization of the NCC. The order tasked NCC to facilitate the development and implementation of a Government Information Systems Plan (GISP), in order to accelerate electronic governance in the country for greater productivity, give wider access to public information and provide for the faster delivery of basic services.

Until March 2000 when E.O. 222 was issued, the NCC was an agency under the Office of the President. This order transferred NCC to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), to effectively mobilize and coordinate the collective resources and talents. The move also ensures a more effective administrative supervision and ICT policy and program coordination.

Today, NCC lends its full support to the administration’s ICT thrust by forging strategic alliances with the private sector, coordinating ICT activities, developing human capital, promoting ICT utilization in all sectors of the society, and advocating Philippine ICT services worldwide.