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January 29, 2002

The Government of the Republic of the Philippines (the Philippines), through the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the Government of Canada (Canada), through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will pursue co-operation with the E-Governance for Efficiency and Effectiveness (e3) CIDA-funded project (CDN$8.0 over five years).  A Concept Paper was approved by CIDA in March 2000, a design mission was conducted in July 2001, and the E-Governance Committee, under the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC), endorsed the project and identified the National Computer Center (NCC) as the lead implementing agency in December 2001.

This co-operation is based on a long history of development co-operation between the two countries, and relates specifically to the Medium-Term Philippines Development Plan, which emphasizes information technology as a priority sector as well as the Government Information Systems Plan (GSIP) and Section 27 of R.A. No. 8792, or the Electronic Commerce Law.

The cooperation will assist with the implementation of the E-Governance for Efficiency and Effectiveness (e3) Project which seeks to “support the plans and priorities of the Philippines in using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to facilitate greater efficiency in delivering services to the public”.  Through the use of ICTs, a country can further its development by providing opportunities for improving the lives of people particularly when they are used to enhance the productivity, efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.

Within this context, Canadian assistance will be directed towards enhancing the collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector, participating on the overall policy making and co-ordination for development of ICT in the country as well as the government on-line initiative to improve social services.  Programming will include, but not be limited to, technical assistance, capacity development and institutional and organizational development.  The project will be implemented by a Canadian Executing Agency in partnership with Filipino counterparts.  In implementing the activities, the Filipino and Canadian partners may call on the assistance of other government departments, non-governmental organizations, civil society and private sector representatives.

Following the signing of this Letter of Intent and the final approval of the CIDA project, the Philippines and Canada will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) specifying the roles and responsibilities of the participating entities and will undertake the actions needed to field the project.

Done in Ottawa in two copies, this 29th day of January 2002, in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.