{
  "id": 8269084,
  "title": "Gov’t urged to stem ICT talent exodus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/govt-urged-to-stem-ict-talent-exodus",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T16:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Philippine Star Business",
    "slug": "philippine-star-business",
    "url": "https://www.philstar.com/business/2026/09/19/2557201/govt-urged-stem-ict-talent-exodus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Philippine government is facing a shortage of information and communication technology (ICT) specialists as local talents are gravitating towards private firms and overseas employers. This talent drain has prompted lawmakers to call upon the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to devise strategies to retain ICT professionals within the country. During a recent budget hearing, legislators emphasized the ongoing challenge of recruiting and keeping ICT talents essential for creating anti-cybercrime policies and digital strategies.\n\nOne major issue contributing to the exodus of ICT workers is the disparity in compensation packages. Filipino ICT professionals are often paid significantly less than their counterparts in the private sector and abroad. The DICT reported that entry-level salaries for developers and programmers in the government range from PHP 66,000 to PHP 90,300 monthly, totaling up to PHP 1.08 million annually at the maximum. In contrast, entry-level ICT employees in the United States can earn around $50,354 per year, equivalent to approximately PHP 3.16 million.\n\nTo address this issue, the DICT is advocating for the passage of the Magna Carta for ICT Workers. This proposed legislation aims to raise the minimum pay for Filipino ICT talents, making it more attractive for them to remain in the country. The Magna Carta would align the minimum compensation standards of ICT professionals in the government with industry rates. Furthermore, the bill will establish a structured career progression system for ICT workers in the government, providing them with clear professional growth opportunities.\n\nAdditionally, the DICT proposes extending further training and scholarships to support the skills development of government ICT employees. Currently, the DICT relies heavily on job orders and contracts of service for its personnel, with an estimated 1,700 workers employed on contractual terms. The agency has been requesting the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to allocate more plantilla positions to expand its workforce. The DBM has approved 115 plantillas out of the 500 requested by the DICT from its Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern.",
  "summary": "Filipino information and communication technology talents are opting to work for private firms, if not for foreign employers, leaving the government short of ICT specialists.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}