Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has refiled in the 19th Congress his proposed measure institutionalizing the transition of the government to e-governance in the digital age, citing lessons the country has learned from the pandemic.,The proposed e-Governance Act of 2022, mandates the government to establish an integrated, interconnected, and interoperable information and resource-sharing and communications network spanning the entirety of the national and local government, an internal records management information system, an information database, and digital portals for the delivery of public services.,The measure, likewise, pushes for the digitization of paper-based and other traditional modes of workflows for a more efficient and transparent public service.,Go noted that the transition of the government to the digital age has been a long time coming.,“The government must use information and communications technology to better serve its purpose and get closer to the people in an era where practically everything can be done online and through other digital channels,” Go said.,The senator also mentioned that the Covid-19 pandemic “highlighted gaps, both foreseen and unforeseen, in the delivery of government services in the country.”,At the height of the pandemic, Go noted, long queues and physical appointments with government agencies, financial institutions and other public offices burdened the public.,He added that major government social services and programs were also forced to shut down, limiting the public’s accessibility to public services at a time when the same were needed the most.,