Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is seeking to integrate digital requirements into the government’s processing of medical, burial, and other forms of financial assistance.

This comes as the Senate moves to pass the proposed Simplified Government Aid Access Act (Senate Bill No. 155), which aims to streamline and standardize documentary requirements to make government support more accessible,  especially to indigent beneficiaries.

Cayetano is the principal sponsor of the landmark E-Governance Law (Republic Act No. 12254) which enhances government efficiency, streamline services, and promotes transparency through the use of Information and Communications Technology. 

That is why his key proposal for SB No. 155 is to designate the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the primary agency tasked with developing and utilizing the eGov Super App or other appropriate digital systems and platforms as a mechanism for Filipinos to access government aid.

“The online or mobile application shall be utilized to facilitate requests for medical, burial, and similar forms of financial assistance,” Cayetano’s proposed amendment introduced by bill sponsor Senator Erwin Tulfo during the February 10 plenary session.

Cayetano also proposed two additional amendments: 

• Hospitals, clinics, and other authorized medical facilities issuing such medical certificates or medical abstracts shall, in coordination with the Department of Health, ensure that the foregoing information is clearly and legibly indicated therein.
• In cases where such a request is due to the beneficiary being unable to sign due to age, illness, disability, or illiteracy, any other proof of authorization reasonable under the circumstances as may be prescribed by the implementing rules.

Since returning to the Senate in 2022, Cayetano has repeatedly advocated for a digitalized rollout system for government assistance. 

He has argued that the use of computer algorithms and digital verification can minimize political interference and reduce corruption through proper documentation and receipts. 

“Let it be as simple as kunan ko ng picture y’ung prescription tapos kung verified naman y’ung app mo, send it to them, then GCash nila y’ung voucher at kahit saang drugstore pwede nang ipambili,” he said.###