Philippines Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

Advancing National Digital Competence Through ICDL

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is the principal government agency responsible for planning, developing, and promoting the Philippines’ national ICT agenda. Its mandate includes digital infrastructure development, cybersecurity, e-government, ICT workforce development, digital inclusion, and the establishment of competency standards that support the country’s digital transformation ambitions.

As the Philippines continues to accelerate digitalisation across government, education, business, and society, DICT plays a central role in ensuring that citizens, public sector employees, and future workers possess the digital competencies required to participate effectively in the digital economy.

Partnership with ICDL

In March 2015, DICT formally launched the ICDL programme in the Philippines through a Memorandum of Agreement with ICDL Asia. Through this agreement, DICT became the first government institution in the Philippines to be accredited as an ICDL Accredited Test Centre (ATC), demonstrating its commitment to internationally recognised digital skills certification and workforce development. 

By recognising ICDL as a benchmark for digital competence, DICT strengthened its efforts to professionalise digital skills development and promote internationally recognised standards across government, education, and industry. 

The partnership also supported DICT’s broader goal of developing national ICT competency frameworks and certification pathways that help individuals demonstrate workplace-ready digital skills.

Building a Digitally Skilled Public Sector

One of the initial objectives of the collaboration was the assessment and development of ICT competencies among government personnel. DICT began profiling employees and senior managers to establish digital capability baselines and support continuous professional development programmes aligned with internationally recognised standards.

The ICDL framework provided a structured and measurable approach to developing competence in essential workplace digital skills, including:

• Computer and online essentials;
• Productivity applications;
• Information management;
• Online collaboration;
• Cybersecurity awareness;
• Digital workplace effectiveness.

Through ICDL certification, public sector employees can validate their digital skills against internationally recognised benchmarks while supporting government modernisation and digital service delivery goals.