Technology has been a big part of humanity’s progress. Innovation has increased Filipinos’ expectations, particularly for services. With the turn of the 21^st century, many transactions can now be done online or electronically for an easier, faster, and more efficient way of doing business.

Last May 14, three government agencies encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises to take advantage of their online services as part of the pilot capacity building program of the National Competitiveness Council. Held at the UP Ayala TechnoHub, the forum, entitled “Discovering Government E-Service”, featured Pag-IBIG Vice President for Fund Management Rey Malaya, PhilHealth’s Christian Marlo Asparen and Myla Bueño, and BIR Chief of Taxpayer Service Program Marivic Galvan.

A central theme among the presentations was the promotion of alternative payment channels for safer and more convenient transactions. Also under development are online systems for registration and updating and monitoring of records

Mr. Ruy Moreno, NCC Private Sector Director for Operations, emphasized the importance and convenience the online systems would bring. For his part, Mr. Virgilio Fulgencio, Executive Director of the Center for Industrial Competitiveness, expressed how much potential our country has if only we have the right resources. Technology is our best bet in not only improving the country’s competitiveness rankings, but also the Filipino’s way of life.

With positive feedback from the participants, the National Competitiveness Council is exploring the roll out of the capacity building program with its partner agencies in major cities across the country.