Telecommuting seen to help resolve traffic crisis

By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star), November 11, 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the private sector have come up with a resolution and proposed an executive order (EO) for the use of telecommuting and other ICT-based tools to help address the country’s traffic problem.

During the 1st DICT Summit, DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima signed a resolution with representatives from the private sector such as Globe Telecom Inc., Smart Communications Inc., PLDT Inc., Microsoft Inc., Cisco Inc., Philippine Association of Private Telephone Companies (PAPTELCO) Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. to work together in implementing ICT-based solutions to mitigate traffic.

Other government agencies that have committed to support the resolution are the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Transportation, Department of Interior and Local Government, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Department of Budget and Management.

Under the resolution, the parties have agreed to submit a proposed EO to President Rodrigo Duterte on the use of telecommuting and other ICT-based solutions to contribute to solving the traffic congestion.

The proposed EO seeks to implement a policy of telecommuting as well as use of ICT solutions by government entities, public schools and training centers to manage the problem of traffic congestion in the country, particularly in Metro Manila and other urban areas.

Among others, telecommuting seeks to maximize the use of videoconferencing in conducting meetings to substitute for travel whenever possible. To enable adoption of ICT-based solutions to mitigate traffic, the proposed EO also states the need to remove barriers and to facilitate faster expansion and improvement of broadband infrastructure through streamlining the process for permits and licenses for rollout and continued operations of broadband facilities and infrastructure, allowing telcos unhampered access to public thoroughfares for expansion and improvements, and promoting free and unrestricted access to public places, among others.

Through the proposed EO, it is expected the country can benefit in terms of decongesting traffic as use of telecommuting and ICT-based solutions would reduce the number of road users.

The proposed EO would also mean an increase in productive hours as the use of ICT-based tools takes time spent commuting. It will likewise allow government to integrate ICT in its operations, reduce energy consumption, and translate to environmental benefits through reduced pollution.