Senator Joel Villanueva called for the passage of the Magna Carta for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Professionals in Government, his latest proposed measure aimed to improve the compensation, safeguard the rights, and ensure professional growth of workers in one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy.
Senate Bill No. 1914 seeks to create a competitive “compensation framework” for ICT government workers, which will include the establishment of minimum compensation standards and the exemption of critical ICT positions from standard salary grades.
Villanueva highlighted the need for measures to curb the “brain drain” in the bureaucracy due to better opportunities in the private sector or abroad.
“This measure is not just about improving salaries, it is about institutionalizing long-term support systems that will build a resilient, highly-skilled, and motivated workforce within government,” he said.
“Quality ICT professionals in government will drive national progress and ensure that our Bagong Pilipinas is one that is also a Bayang Digital,” he added.
Villanueva pointed out that industry data consistently show that the ICT sector plays a critical role in digital governance, financial technology, artificial intelligence development, and e-commerce expansion.
Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, the senator said the digital economy contributed 8.5% to the national GDP in 2024 and employed 11.3 million workers, reflecting the growing importance of ICT to national development.
Despite this progress, he said the Philippines ranked only 57th out of 112 countries in the Digital Quality of Life Index, placing the country below average in terms of internet affordability, internet quality, digital infrastructure, digital security, and artificial intelligence readiness.
“These indicators should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen and retain competitive ICT professionals in the country,” he said.
According to the Department of Information and Communications Technology, approximately 80% of Filipino computer professionals work abroad or in the private sector, largely due to the substantial salary gap.
ICT professionals abroad or in the private sector can earn P200,000 per month or more, while their counterparts in government get only an average of P50,000 per month.
Under the bill, an alternative compensation framework will be established for ICT positions, which will exempt them from the standard salary grades, with the approval of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Budget and Management, and in compliance with existing laws.
ICT professionals will also be entitled to overtime and leave benefits and other entitlements.
The bill also states that they will get full coverage under the Government Service Insurance System as well as other relevant social benefits.
They will also be entitled to affordable housing options, transportation assistance, and psychological support services.
The measure also proposes the establishment of ICT Scholarship and Grant Programs to support the continuous development of ICT professionals.
“Behind every functioning government website, digital ID system, online tax portal, and cybersecurity defense are skilled ICT workers whose expertise keeps public services running,” Villanueva said.
“Our digital transformation cannot succeed without digital talent. The message is clear: we need tech experts in government,” Villanueva added.
