DOST policies and programs in information technology

Abstract

This chapter outlines the policies, programs, and strategic role of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in advancing information technology development as a key driver of national competitiveness and socioeconomic growth. It situates IT within the country’s broader science and technology planning frameworks and highlights government action as planner, catalyst, and user of information technology. The chapter discusses major initiatives in research and development, infrastructure building, human resource development, and policy coordination, including the National Information Technology Plan and the establishment of institutional networks such as PhNet. It also examines constraints to IT diffusion such as limited infrastructure, skills shortages, and regulatory gaps, and emphasizes the need for coherent, long-term strategies to maximize the developmental impact of information and communication technologies.