Keynote Speech

Keynote Speech

Treasurer Roberto B. Tan

1^st GEPCSET Roadshow

Hotel Intercontinental, Makati

09.09.09

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. I am honored to be invited to deliver the keynote speech at the Government Electronic Payment Collection System Evaluation Team’s 1^st Roadshow on enhancing revenue through technology. This event is a milestone in the pursuit of electronic payment in the Philippine government.  The advent of electronic payment in the government will provide better service, transparency and efficiency in the service. The successful efforts marked by this event will revolutionize the National Government’s revenue management and information allowing more efficient operations and information for policy makers to provide more effective measures for revenue management and mobilization.  

As a consequence of global financial crisis and need for fiscal stimulus to support growth, Government is facing major challenges ahead. While we are confronting a ballooning deficit, we are buoyant on the outlook of our economic performances. Advances in technology create better opportunities and positive prospects that significantly contribute to our capacities to sustain economic growth.  But we cannot achieve full realization of these opportunities without the support and readiness of users and beneficiaries, the Public Sector, adopting technological advances in its business processes is a must to keep up with demands for better service from a growing and increasingly sophisticated constituency. Whenever possible, Government should set the example of good economic and fiscal governance. Modernizing our business process through automation, computerization, and cyber and electronic connectivity, among others, is the pursuit we cannot go wrong in. Your contribution in the electronic payment system in government is therefore indispensable. We need you to be bold in taking steps to automate our respective payment and collection systems. With automation we will multiply, in leaps and bounds, our capability to effectively and efficiently manage and provide service to an expanding and core complex business environment. For this particular endeavor of ours, rest assured that the government through the GEPCSET will be working hand in hand with your office to achieve a common goal to eventually achieve modern revenue collection system in the government. 

I understand that these things are easier said than done. And it is definitely a great task ahead of us. But I have confidence on the political will of the government and our commitment to make these things possible. We have the e-Government Fund that may be a source for the development of e-payment systems. Our Congress have shown support for these endeavors by initiating discussions resulting to the creation of the GEPCSET to help create a legal framework that is conducive to the realization of e-payment in government. Further, the Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry have signed Joint Department Administrative Orders to support GEPCSET activities.  

This first GEPCSET roadshow sends an important signal to our constituents as well as with our partners in the private sector that this government is postured to further enhance revenue through technology. This is just the beginning. The subsequent steps rest on the shoulders of each and every one of us here. Your partnership with the GEPCSET is enjoined to bring about the success of E-payment in government.

In closing, I would like to thank you for your active participation today and I trust that the same spirit of enthusiasm for the realization of government e-payment, and e-commerce in general, will translate to a more positive socio-economic environment for the country. 

Thank you, good day and more power to Government in its promotion and development of modern business systems and processes.