Click on the National Information Technology Plan 2000 to view full content

President Fidel V. Ramos is the first President who has made direct endorsement of Information Technology (IT) as a strategic resource and vital tool for national development. This was indicated in his Memorandum to the NEDA Secretariat where the incorporation of IT with the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) was instructed. The use of IT, as a strategic resource, has been carefully planned as embodied in the National Information Technology Plan 2000 (NITP2000). The NITP2000 directs IT strategies, programs, applications and activities both in the government and private sector towards national development.

Our neighbouring countries have already put in place some years back such national plans on IT whose benefits they are now reaping in their national development. They are presently enjoying the growth experience towards NIChood. Our wealthy and prosperous Asian neighbours have shown how increased IT investments and IT use based on a national IT plan changed their economy, "informatized" their societies and revolutionized their lifestyle. Studies have actually shown correlation of IT with national development.

Our plan is similar in framework with our Asian neighbours, however, while they focus on IT empowerment of Industries to come up with Smart Products, we are focusing on the IT empowerment of our people to come up with Smart People. NITP2000 is not focused on the development of the IT industry alone but on the broader perspective of national development as embodied in the Philippines 2000.

The NITP2000 is focused on the twin themes of Philippines 2000 which are people empowerment and global competitiveness. Furthermore, it is consistent with the Philippines 2000 strategy whereby

1. an informal but close cooperation between government, business and labor/NGOs-Pos is established,
2. the adoption of a corporate approach to development where we set ourselves clear and achievable targets and select potential "export winners" and
3. the maximum use of information as the great strategic resource of the 21st century to threats and opportunities in the world marketplace is considered.
4. Lastly, democratization, devolution, decentralization and deregulation are the guideposts in the creation of a policy environment conducive to growth.