Gov’t urged to stem ICT talent exodus

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino information and communication technology talents are opting to work for private firms, if not for foreign employers, leaving the government short of ICT specialists.

This has prompted lawmakers to urge the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to find ways to retain ICT talents in the Philippines.

At the DICT’s budget hearing, legislators raised the continuing struggle to recruit and retain ICT talents who could help in developing the country’s anti-cybercrime and digital policies.

Right now, Filipino ICT workers are lured to work for private and overseas employers. They are discouraged from joining government service due to the disparity in compensation.

The DICT reported that government developers and programmers are given an entry-level pay of Salary Grade 20 to 22, ranging from P66,000 to P90,300 monthly. In a year, they can make P1.08 million at the maximum.

This is far from what entry-level ICT employees in the United States earn, averaging $50,354 or P3.16 million, in a year.

The DICT is therefore pushing for the passage of the Magna Carta for ICT Workers, a proposal that could hike the minimum pay of Filipino talents to make staying in the country attractive.

Under House Bill 4382, or the Magna Carta for ICT Professionals in the Government, the DICT will establish minimum compensation standards on a par with industry rates.

There will also be a structured career progression for ICT workers in the government to provide them with a professional pathway. Further training and scholarships must also be extended by the state agency employing them to support their skills development.

As it stands, the DICT is leaning heavily on job orders and contracts of service for its personnel. It is estimated that at least 1,700 workers of the DICT are employed on contractual terms.

Recently, the agency has been asking the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to grant the DICT more plantilla posts to scale up its labor force.

The DBM approved 115 plantillas out of the 500 requested by the DICT from its Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern.