DEVC 202

TMA No. 3

Faye Janica V. Cabiza

October 30, 2019

depends on the competence of its information communications technology (ICT) sector.

Earlier this year, We Are Social and Hootsuite released their annual global report

showing the number of online users, social media users, the amount of time people

spend online, and the most popular social apps in the Philippines. Turns out, Filipinos

spend a staggering average of 10 hours and 2 minutes online—the highest in the world.

In relation to online presence, the Philippines ranked first when it comes to social media

penetration with 99% of Filipinos using at least one type of social media platform.

Perhaps, the most famous application in the country is Facebook with 75 million active

users. This is ironic considering that the country has one of the slowest internet speeds.

In 2017, the Philippines placed 74th out of 77 countries in the world with only 8.24 Mbps;

a far cry from our neighboring Asian countries such as Singapore and South Korea who

topped the list with 46.64 Mbps and 45.85 Mbps respectively.

Filipinos are social media savvy, especially the younger generations. Our lives

constantly revolve around the internet since it is already becoming our main source of

information. However, the state of ICT education in the Philippines remains to be one of

the most problematic areas that need attention. According to UNESCO, the term

information and communication technologies is defined as forms of technology that are

used to transmit, store, create, share or exchange information. This broad definition of

ICT includes such technologies as: radio, television, video, DVD, telephone (both fixed

line and mobile phones), satellite systems, computer and network hardware and

software, as well as the equipment and services associated with these technologies,
such as video conferencing and electronic mail. Therefore, social media does not wholly

define ICT. However, the two are closely linked and intertwined.

In 2016, the government created the Department of Information and

Communications Technology (DICT) to be responsible for the planning, development,

and promotion of the country’s ICT agenda. Just recently, the national budget was

approved with DICT having P 5.2 billion for 2020 to speed up the implementation

process. Legislators already introduced new laws such as the national ID system, free

public WiFi, and Telecommuting Act. However, these laws will not come into fruition

should the internet remain monopolized by two large companies. With the possible entry

of Mislatel, the third telecommunications company with close ties to China, the situation

is about to be more complicated.

The current situation of the country’s ICT is totally different from the expectations

described by Dr. Alexander G. Flor in his article. The creation of a computer model

similar to the Maximum Utilization of Agricultural Resources (MUAR) will probably not

happen in this administration. Despite being known as an agricultural country with 47%

of its land being considered as agricultural land, the Philippine government refuses to

acknowledge the struggles of the farmers. Sadly, arable lands are being converted into

subdivisions, shopping malls, and private establishments. Farmers are growing old and

their children prefer to seek other career paths mainly because they witnessed how

difficult it is to survive through farming alone. Even graduates of agricultural schools are

more office-oriented rather than doing work at the field. The government already noticed

the declining contribution of agriculture to the country’s GDP. Yet, we have not done

anything to cultivate this sector. The farmers, along with other food producers, need
education, training, and moral support to continue bringing food to our tables. If

development communication is used to address the situation, then all sectors involved

will be mobilized to effectively respond to the agricultural crisis.

Since communication permeates every facet of a person’s behavior, the study of

communication is no less than one way to study policy making. Communication is a

useful concept precisely because it is one more handle whereby we can effectively

study policy making. Communication is one of those few variables through which any

policy decision is dependent (Allen, 1973). Unfortunately, the government does not put

importance on communication in paving the way for development. Perhaps, it is true

that the laws being passed by legislators aim to address poverty, health, and education

issues. In 2015, a paper written by Aurea Hernandez-Sempio revealed that several

important laws remain unimplemented due to the lack of funding. The Congressional

Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said 62 laws remained partially

funded, while 75 laws were not funded at all (de la Cruz, 2016). What lawmakers fail to

realize time and time again is that real work is in the implementation. The people that

need urgent assistance are not those who are sitting in their air conditioned offices but

those who are already breaking their backs yet still living from hand to mouth.

According to Quebral, development communication is defined as the art and

science of human communication applied to the speedy transformation of a country and

the mass of its people from poverty to a dynamic state of economic growth that makes

possible greater social equality and the larger fulfillment of human potential. Most of the

people living in poverty are located in far-flung areas where there is a lack of access to

basic social services. A vital part of practicing development communication is going to

development happens when community members and other stakeholders take

collective action to solve problems and pursue opportunities. Empowering local

communities is the first step in achieving a progressive nation because mass

participation always starts in the smallest unit of society.

Despite the need for development communication experts, Filipinos have not yet

recognized the importance of the field. Many students take up courses that are said to

be in demand. This only proves Dr. Alexander Flor’s statement that “graduates become

subject to the dictates of his environment and becomes privy to the maintenance of the

status quo.” The situation described in the article will not come true unless the

government, along with other fields, realize the significance of development

communication in achieving social change. Cultivating the interest in development

communication is important to encourage younger generations to be more responsive to

the ills of society and provide ways on how to address them.

Allen, T. (1973). New methods in social science research. New York: Praeger
Publishers.

De Jesus, D. (2019, February 1). Philippines’ ICT Status. Daily Tribune. Retrieved from
https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2019/02/01/philippines-ict-status/

de la Cruz, J. (2016, November 6). Too many laws to fund: Lack of budget support
stops implementation of key laws. Business Mirror. Retrieved from
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2016/11/06/too-many-laws-to-fund-lack-of-budget-
support-stops-implementation-of-key-laws/

Gonzales, G. (2019, February 18). Filipinos spend most time online, on social media
worldwide—report. Rappler. Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/technology/news/222407-philippines-online-use-2019-
hootsuite-we-are-social-report

Marcelo, V. (2018, May 10). Report: PH among lowest ranked countries in internet
speed availability. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/11/03/philippines-lowest-rank-internet-
speed-availability.html

Ogunji, J. (2013). Education and Information Communication Technology (ICT) in

Ongkiko, I., & Flor, A. (1998). Introduction to Development Communication. Philippines: