Senator Joel Villanueva called for the passage of the proposed Magna Carta for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Professionals in Government to protect workers’ rights and ensure career development in a fast-growing sector.

Filed as Senate Bill No. 1914, the proposal seeks to establish a competitive compensation framework for government ICT personnel.

This includes setting minimum pay standards and exempting critical ICT positions from the standard salary grade system.

Villanueva underscored the need to curb the persistent “brain drain” in government, as skilled ICT professionals are increasingly drawn to higher-paying opportunities in the private sector and overseas.

“This measure is not just about improving salaries, it is about institutionalizing long-term support systems that will build a resilient, highly-skilled, and motivated workforce within government,” he said.

“Quality ICT professionals in government will drive national progress and ensure that our Bagong Pilipinas is one that is also a Bayang Digital,” he added.

He cited industry data showing that the ICT sector plays a crucial role in advancing digital governance, financial technology, artificial intelligence, and e-commerce.

Quoting figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Villanueva said the digital economy accounted for 8.5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product in 2024 and employed 11.3 million Filipinos, underscoring the sector’s expanding contribution to national development.

Despite these gains, he noted that the Philippines ranked only 57th out of 112 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index, placing it below the global average in internet affordability, service quality, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence readiness.

“These indicators should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen and retain competitive ICT professionals in the country,” he said.

Data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology further show that around 80 percent of Filipino computer professionals are currently employed abroad or in the private sector, mainly due to significant salary gaps.

ICT workers overseas or in private firms can earn P200,000 or more monthly, compared to an average of only P50,000 for their counterparts in government.

Under the proposed law, an alternative compensation framework will be implemented for ICT positions, exempting them from standard salary grades, subject to the approval of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management, and in accordance with existing laws.

The measure also provides overtime pay, leave privileges, and other benefits for ICT professionals, along with full coverage under the Government Service Insurance System and access to other relevant social protection programs.

Additional provisions include affordable housing options, transportation assistance, psychological support services, and the establishment of ICT Scholarship and Grant Programs to support continuous professional development.

“Behind every functioning government website, digital ID system, online tax portal, and cybersecurity defense are skilled ICT workers whose expertise keeps public services running,” Villanueva said.

“Our digital transformation cannot succeed without digital talent. The message is clear: we need tech experts in government,” he added.

-Paraluman News