Since his appointment as Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in March 2025, Secretary Henry R. Aguda has set forth a bold vision for a digitally empowered Philippines. His “Digital Bayanihan” vision calls for a reality where no Filipino is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Driving Digital Growth with Four Pillars
Bayanihan or the Filipino tradition of communal unity places the importance of people at its core. Secretary Aguda’s “Digital Bayanihan” reflects his strategic vision for a comprehensive, inclusive, and people-centric approach to digital transformation in the Philippines.
Digital Bayanihan is grounded in four pillars—Digital-First Economy, Inclusive Tech for All, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, and Transparency in Governance. These four pillars serve as the guiding principles towards building a Philippines that fosters digital growth and development for all Filipinos.
Secretary Aguda believes that Filipinos are the driving force behind digital transformation. “A robust digital economy depends not just on technology but also on people,” Aguda explains. “Technology is an enabler, it is a tool—10% technology, 10% processes, but 80% of it is people.” By empowering the Filipino people, Aguda believes the Philippines can truly thrive in the digital age.
Ushering a Digital-First Economy
In a digital-first economy, Secretary Aguda seeks to create opportunities where every Filipino can experience the benefits of digital transformation. Recognizing the challenges faced by underserved communities, he has been collaborating with both government and industry partners to uplift Filipinos through financial inclusion. By increasing access to digital financial services including digital loans, and rolling out microloan programs tailored for micro, small, and medium enterprises, these strategic initiatives will empower individuals and small businesses towards effective financial management and active participation in growing the country’s digital economy.
Building an Inclusive Philippine Digital Ecosystem
Secretary Aguda’s vision recognizes that digital transformation begins with providing Filipinos with opportunities to be ready for a digital future. This entails equipping Filipinos with the proper resources and access to more meaningful learning opportunities. Recently, Secretary Aguda, in partnership with iAcademy and Republic Asia, distributed Starlink satellite internet units to schools in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs). Private-public partnerships such as this allows the DICT to further strengthen the country’s ICT infrastructure and provide connectivity solutions in remote areas.
Protecting Filipinos in the Digital Realm
Secretary Aguda emphasized DICT’s “commitment to the Filipino people [and] that the government will stand as a guardian of truth and transparency [in a time of digital deception].” This becomes even more important since the increase in Filipino internet users has inevitably led to fake news and disinformation. The DICT, in partnership with other government agencies, launched a 24/7 Threat Monitoring Center to combat disinformation in the upcoming midterm elections. The Center is designed to detect, disrupt, and dismantle the propagation of fake news in real-time to safeguard electoral integrity. As Filipinos continue to spend an average of eight hours and 52 minutes daily on the internet following a recent 2025 survey, it remains important for the DICT to ensure that the digital space is safe for all Filipinos.
Fostering Transparency and Trust in Government
The success of these initiatives requires fostering governance rooted in transparency and trust. Aguda asserts that transparency is key to building public trust in government institutions. “Trust matters,” Aguda underscores. “Transparency begins with us. We must lead by example.” Under Secretary Aguda’s leadership, the DICT took a significant step towards transparency by holding its first-ever live-streamed public bidding on Facebook. This unprecedented move allowed Filipinos to witness the procurement process in real-time. In collaboration with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA), the DICT aims to showcase that transparency in procurement is not only possible but also essential to provide faster, more efficient, and more reliable services.
Envisioning a Shared Digital Future
Secretary Aguda’s “Digital Bayanihan” and the DICT’s commitment to digital transformation envisions a shared digital future where no Filipino is left behind. While technology and processes remain integral, Filipinos are the main focus of a successful digital future. With Digital-First Economy, Inclusive Tech for All, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, and Transparency in Governance at the forefront, the Philippines is poised to build a future that empowers and ensures that digital opportunities are available and accessible to every Filipino.
