The Philippines’ ICT Ranking: Dismal
Well, what can we expect? Of course it hurts to accept that fact, more so when you’re within the ICT industry. You might not feel it if you’re studying in a Wi-Fi hotspot-blessed university or frequently visit classy malls and cafes, but many tech-savvy Pinoys have experienced this national deficiency firsthand. Heck, even the best Internet services offered in the country come at exorbitant charges or suffer from frustrating quality and customer support.
An article from last week’s The Philippine Star reports that out of 115 countries, the Philippines ranks 70th in ICT networked readiness. This is based on the 2005-2006 report of the World Economic Forum. As expected, the US topped the list, and Singapore lorded it over its Southeast Asian neighbors (coming in at #2 overall).
I did some additional research and found the complete rankings at the WEF website (download the PDF file). It’s depressing to see that Malaysia (#24) and Thailand (#34) are way ahead of the Philippines. The other SEA nations on the list are Indonesia (#68), Vietnam (#65), and Cambodia (#104). The Philippines got a rating of negative 0.37, while Thailand is its mirror at positive 0.35.
The optimists will be quick to say, “When you’re languishing in the crap pile, there’s no way to go but up”. Problem is, we’re not yet that deep into the crap pile, which might ultimately lull some Filipino big-timers (in the government and private ICT sectors) into a false sense of security. “Pwede na ‘yan” is the worst kind of thought that might be running across our minds now.
Here’s one hoping for our country to make it to the lower 50’s in next year’s rankings. Breaking it to the Top 50 — where India and China also hold court — is imperative if we aim to be true players in the ICT world, not just pretenders.
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July 19th, 2006 at 11:16 am
[...] Corsarius airs his gripes on the Philippines’ having ranked 70th out of 115 countries in the WEF’s Global Information Technology Report for 2005 to 2006. I can’t help but agree with his sentiments (both the economist in me and the ICT professional). Of course it hurts to accept that fact, more so when you’re within the ICT industry. You might not feel it if you’re studying in a Wi-Fi hotspot-blessed university or frequently visit classy malls and cafes, but many tech-savvy Pinoys have experienced this national deficiency firsthand. Heck, even the best Internet services offered in the country comes at exorbitant charges or suffer from frustrating quality and customer support. [...]
July 19th, 2006 at 4:08 pm
The problem of technological readiness is probably the availability of technology. Im a noob when it comes to being tech-savvy, but i can notice how expensive technology is available to the common Filipino. A lot of “Filipino big-timers” which includes the financially secure can rant and bitch about the lack of the latest technology that isnt available in places common in other countries (quick reference to those who think every restaurant or coffee should should have mandatory WIFI access) but never stop and think how our own economy prevents these establishments to get enough profit to upgrade themselves to the level of “technological readiness”. Compare the gross economic rate between us and Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and China and you’d see the connection.
If we could learn to pay our taxes, improve tax collection & minimize corruption perhaps we can generate enough national revenue to improve our technological standing in this world of ours.
July 19th, 2006 at 8:57 pm
The Pinas is tops in ICT
I ndebtedness
C orruption and
T rapo politics!
Kiddling aside, the country is poor in ICT infra, its people rich in talent.
July 20th, 2006 at 1:09 am
I still don’t believe that crap. Under what parameters, did they get to conclude on that values? Specially around the Southeast Asian Countries. Maybe I don’t believe it just because I can’t accept it. Well, count me in on hoping for the lower 50
July 20th, 2006 at 1:14 am
Robert, great points. Again relevant to all of this is the problem of the digital divide, oft-mentioned but never overcome. There have been many (some?) steps taken by the goverment (e.g. through the CICT or National Computer Center), but IMO they’re still enough. Like you said, we need an increase in national revenue foremost.
Peter, yeah, we’d sure to top that list if there was one!
True — poor infrastructure, rich talent. Sometimes in my musings, one thought that goes across my mind is how Pinoys are proficient at chugging along with scant material resources and surviving on talent, resourcefulness, and dedication.
This brings to mind my conversation with a La Sallian prof when I was still studying in UP (just a year ago, I think). He expressed his admiration for the students who chug along with 60s-era engineering equipment and manage to top the national board exams. As Robert said, the Philippines really needs the money.
Jason, I understand your apprehension. At the start, I was also “Huh? Talaga lang ha,” with regard to our standing compared to the other SEA nations, but of course I resigned myself to the fact more quickly than you did
I can’t say I know the factors upon which they based the rankings; the full report is a paid one, I believe.
August 10th, 2006 at 4:01 pm
There is more to the country’s problems than the lagging perfomance of our ICT industry. The more general issue is the lack people who would actually own the problem and take responsibility for making our solutions work.
I mean, we are talented but when we are asked to implement it on a national or global scale, we more often than not don’t want to do it ourselves. The only Filipinos who I see have guts are those from the entertainment and politics (although for this one, its more of a “kapalan ng mukha” thing than something actually beneficial).
It’s me blabbing again…
August 19th, 2006 at 12:42 am
Thanks for the insight, Mike. The student leader in you still shows outside of UP, hehe!
You are right about that — we need people who’ll take responsibility for the mess. But as always, that’s easier said than done.
August 24th, 2006 at 1:26 am
Btw, this post has been cited in Technopinoy.