Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Separate issue of alleged corruption from viability of NBN project

Much as I want to stay and remain quiet and detached from the on-going investigations on the national broadband network (NBN) botched project, I feel oblige to express my opinion and views which unfortunately not in tune with the seemingly popular sentiment of the public.

I had the opportunity to study about global information and telecommunication studies in Japan under a government scholarship, and for more than two years I was exposed to seminars, conferences and doing research and surveys on the status, background, and undertakings of countries around the world on the utilization of information and communications technology (ICT) for the and by the public sector. In the Philippines, we understand this better as e-government or the use of computers, programs and systems, and network to our government agencies in the hope of improving public service. The face of technology is changing rapidly, as fast as the new model of cellphones that keep on flooding the market, our e-government efforts in the country is hardly comparable to our neighboring countries in south east asia now , I am afraid we will soon find Vietnam leaving us behind at the tail end of the race.

But at the same time, I believe that corruption still tops our problem, and not even the most comprehensive or grand project such as the NBN can ever bring us to our dream of becoming a First World country. It is embedded in our culture and each one of us is guilty of this sin, both knowingly and unknowingly. I just wish that the public clamor against corruption especially in the government will not end after someone is booted from his or her position, because the issue and the problem is not just against one person or personalities. It is in the system and our culture, and I could only hope that time will come that as a race and nation, Filipinos will have a natural and instinctive disgust against any form of corruption or act of corruption by anyone, even our loved ones and families, including ourselves.

On the ongoing investigations on the alleged corruption, bribery and overpricing of the NBN contract, I just wish that the viability of the project be separated and given attention as to its merits. We don’t have the time to be idle and not aggressively undertake these, or else, we will not be able to maximize the advantages and benefits of having a networked government – from national down to the lowest unit of administration, the barangays - on broadband where communication and fast exchange of information such as data, voice and videos are possible from the both ends of our archipelagic country. Just like how telephones changed the way of communication and transaction in the older days, broadband will make possible the delivery of government services and transactions from central, manila or provinces to become accessible and available to every barangay units, and eventually, our own homes and personal computers.

This may sound odd, unfamiliar and unknown of to many older people, but I dare challenge our youth who must have better understanding of these technicalities and to explain them to the more mature generation. This is your future. Take the lead and don’t let our country be left behind. If we can always catch up with the latest video games and gadgets, shouldn’t we be updated and at par when it comes to availing fast, efficient and effective online government services?

The public has been intently following the development of NBN-ZTE investigation, in all of its many facets – technical, bidding, abduction and so on. Maybe by now, it is possible that we can come up with partial assessment, analysis or recommendation of the project per se, and then, move on. The issue of corruption will not end, even if the NBN-ZTE will find its way down the grave, but with it, our chances of improving our country with the benefits and advantages of having a networked government using broadband, will lay to rest as well.