The Philippines: REPORT ON NATIONAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WITH SMS FACILITY (December 2008)
E-Governance has really taken a strong foothold in the Philippines. Almost all national
government agencies have web presence. A good number even offer services online while
some allow payment through the web. Another form of e-Governance called m-Governance,
or the delivery of public services through mobile technology, is emerging in the country.
Fifty four (54) national government agencies, out of the three twenty four, have short
messaging (SMS) facility to augment traditional public services as of December 2008. These
agencies take advantage of the fact that many Filipinos own cellular phones and the
country’s reputation as the “SMS Capital of the World.”
Services being offered can be as simple as accessing information; sending complaints,
comments, or recommendations; or as fancy as downloading pictures, graphics, or ring
tones; or as specialized as reporting crimes or paying taxes.
The access numbers used by the agencies can be classified into two categories. One is
the regular eleven-digit number and the other a special number usually shorter than eleven
digits. Of the fifty four agencies, about sixty percent (60%) use the special access numbers.
Using special numbers has the convenience of easily remembering the access numbers
such as the three-digit 211 of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) or the eight-digit 700-
NEARE of the National Electrification Administration. But sending SMS messages via
special numbers cost 2.50 pesos while via that of ordinary numbers cost only one peso.
Moreover, subscribers of any of the three local mobile service companies can use the
ordinary eleven-digit access numbers, unlike some of the special numbers that are only
accessible to particular subscribers.
For this report update, the Plans Review and Monitoring Office (PRMO) has used
website visits and telephone interviews. Annex A contains the alphabetical list of NGAs with
SMS facility while Annex B contains the list of formats of the NGA’s SMS facility.
Comments, suggestions and clarifications regarding the study may be sent to Ms. Lorna
M. Sales, Director, PRMO or to Ms. Jocelyn V. Tendenilla, Head, ICT Plans Monitoring
Group, PRMO, via email at ictmonitor@ncc.gov.ph.
Source and detail of the departments can be accessed at: http://www.ncc.gov.ph/files/sms_report1208.pdf
