The Role of ICT in Recent History

1. Radio Veritas and EDSA I (People Power Revolution) Cardinal Tagle pointed out that Radio Veritas’ essential function is to spread the right information, especially the Word of God. On April 11, 1969, Radio Veritas facility was inaugurated by Cardinal Antonio Samore, a Vatican official, and Cardinal Rufino Santos, the former Archbishop of Manila (Vatican News, 2019).

It was unpopular radio station back then; eventually, it gained more audience after the station covered the assassination of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino on August 21, 1983 that government-run media reported hours later (CMFR Philippines, 2011). When late Jaime Cardinal Sin spoke over the Radio Veritas calling the Filipino people for support, two million Filipinos from different sectors participated in the four-day major protest that took place along EDSA from February 22 to 25, 1986.

2. Text brigades and EDSA Dos Before the Filipinos turned in the comfort of chatting and Messenger, the Philippines was named the “Text Capital of the World” (Philippine Mission Org.). In 1995, Short Message Service (SMS) was introduced as a promotional gimmick until in 1998, Philippine mobile-service providers launched it as a service targeting hearing-impaired users. From “I’ll call you” to “I’ll text you”, most of the Filipinos used this service for communication since it was free, but soon, telcos started charging 1 peso per SMS. It is much cheaper than a voice call, and this led to the ownership of a mobile phone by around five million Filipinos by 2001.

It was also 2001 when EDSA Dos or Second People Power Revolution happened. It started after 11 senators voted against the opening of the second envelope that contains the crucial evidence that would allegedly prove acts of political corruption by former President Joseph E. Estrada. After that vote, Senator Aquilino Pimentel resigned as Senate President, the 11 prosecutors in the impeachment trial resigned as well, and the Filipinos started to respond to a text message stating “Military needs to see 1 million at a rally tomorrow. Jan.19 to make a decision to go against Erap! Please pass on.” The protesters started to gathered around the EDSA Shrine on January 17, 2001 and ended when former president Erap released a letter stating his resignation on January 20, 2001.

3. Million People March From August 22 to 26, 2013, a series of small-scale rallies that happened in other cities across the country and around the world, but the main protest took place on Luneta Park. It is named “Million People March”, however attendees were only around 400,000 people. These protests happened due to the misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (or PDAF). PDAF is intended to allow lawmakers to finance small-scale development or community programs, such as scholarship programs, beyond the framework of the national infrastructure program. The Million People March organizers and supporters have used Facebook, Twitter and Change.org as their mediums.

Change.org is the world’s largest petition platform for change. It aims to help people around the world create the change they want to see. In the past, petitions were done by a group asking for signature via travel, however affixing your digital signature on the petition you want to support become easy and accessible with the help of this website. As of August 23, Change.org showed a total of 19 petitions with an estimated total of 26, 942 signature supporting various campaigns on the PDAF issues (CMFR-Phil. 2013).

4. Yolanda People Finder Yolanda, with international code name Haiyan, was recorded as one of the most powerful typhoons in the Philippine history. After the six landfalls made by Yolanda on November 8, 2013, Leyte and Samar were lost in the map due to power and communication lines were cut off. Months before Yolanda, Google Philippines office was officially launched on January 2013. Julian Persaud, managing director of Google in Southeast Asia, said that Philippines is a key country due to its digital economy and tech savvy population. Philippine was chosen for the debut of Free Zone, which was an early adopter of the Chrome browser. Now, how did Google get linked to the victims of Yolanda?

Aside from social media, Yolanda victims took the Google help to find their lost loved ones through Google Person Finder. It is an open access software platform that offers a message board to post and check for information about each other's situation and alerts for people affected by a natural disaster. Just by clicking “I’m looking for someone” button, and typing their name, thousand of people affected by the Yolanda typhoon have been aided.

The role of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the recent history of the Philippines has been transformative, impacting various sectors such as governance, education, business, and social interactions. Here’s an overview of this role:

1. Economic Development

• Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): The Philippines has become a global hub for BPO services, leveraging English proficiency and a skilled workforce. The industry has seen significant growth since the early 2000s, contributing billions to the economy.
• Startups and E-commerce: The rise of technology startups and e-commerce platforms has provided new opportunities for entrepreneurship. Notable platforms like Lazada and Shopee have changed consumer behaviors and expanded markets.

2. Governance and E-Government

• Digital Governance Initiatives: The Philippine government has implemented various ICT initiatives to improve service delivery and transparency. Programs like the Philippine e-Government Master Plan aim to make services accessible online, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
• Public Access to Information: The implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) law has been facilitated by ICT, allowing citizens to access government data and promote accountability.

3. Education

• E-Learning and Digital Education: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-learning platforms in schools and universities. Tools such as Google Classroom and Zoom became essential for continued education, highlighting the need for digital literacy.
• ICT in Curriculum: Many educational institutions have integrated ICT in their curricula, preparing students for a technology-driven world and improving competencies in digital tools.

4. Social Connectivity and Communication

• Social Media Usage: The Philippines is one of the highest users of social media globally, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram significantly influencing communication, information dissemination, and public discourse.
• Mobilization and Activism: ICT has empowered civil society and grassroots movements, enabling them to organize campaigns, mobilize support, and raise awareness on social issues.

5. Disaster Response and Management

• Communication in Emergencies: ICT has played a crucial role in disaster preparedness and response in a country prone to natural disasters. Mobile apps and platforms have been developed for real-time alerts, coordination, and resource mobilization.
• Crowdsourcing and Data Gathering: The use of social media and other online platforms has allowed for better data gathering and crowdsourcing in the aftermath of disasters, providing critical information for relief efforts.

6. Health Services

• Telemedicine: The adoption of ICT in healthcare has increased access to medical services, particularly in rural areas. Telemedicine services have expanded, allowing patients to consult with healthcare professionals remotely.
• Health Information Systems: The government has also implemented health information systems to improve healthcare services and disease surveillance.

7. Challenges and Issues

• Digital Divide: Despite advancements, there is still a significant digital divide in the Philippines, with rural areas having less access to ICT. Bridging this gap remains a challenge for inclusive growth.
• Cybersecurity and Privacy Concerns: The rise of digital platforms has brought concerns regarding data privacy and security. Cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns have highlighted the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

8. Future Prospects

• Smart Cities and Internet of Things (IoT): The Philippine government is exploring smart city initiatives that integrate IoT, aiming to enhance urban living and streamline services.
• Innovation and Technology Adoption: Continued investment in ICT infrastructure and innovation is critical for sustaining economic growth and improving the quality of life.

In conclusion, ICT has played an integral role in shaping the recent history of the Philippines, driving growth, enhancing governance, and transforming social interactions. However, addressing the