MANILA — Newly installed Information and Communication Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda said the issuance of a Department Order for the courtesy resignation of Assistant Secretaries and Undersecretaries “is normal in any transition of any agency.”

At the sidelines of a partnership agreement between the DICT, Department of Education, Academy, and Republic Asia, which aims to promote awareness about ICT development across various sectors of society, Aguda explained that the courtesy resignations would allow him to assess where the agency currently stands. This would also provide him the opportunity to identify gaps and improve the department’s performance.

Aguda did not give the names of those who may join his team but asked that he be given until the end of the month to decide.

“Everybody is now providing me reports of what they’ve accomplished and what they’ve done. It’s just been two weeks and I’ve just started going through the things that have been accomplished in the past,” he said.

The DICT chief clarified that the appointments are not covered by the appointment ban, given the importance of the agency’s work, especially at this time.

“Information Technology services is critical and DICT also participates in the COMELEC Advisory Council so we really need to ensure that we are running very well during this time that it’s getting close to the election na rin.”

He assured the public that a new leadership at the DICT would not affect its partnership with the COMELEC and that “vital government services will remain unhampered.

Direction towards digital economy

Consistent with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s direction of “leaving no Filipino behind in the digital landscape”, Aguda said he personally wants to direct the agency towards the creation of a stronger digital economy.

“When you talk about digital economy, you need to create digital jobs. I have an industry development function for the digital space together with DTI and labor, to prepare the jobs that will be ready for these kids when they graduate.”

Prior to replacing former DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, Aguda was president and chief executive of UnionDigital Bank with experience across the banking and telecommunications industries.