Two DICT projects recognized at the 2025 World Summit on Information Society. Photos from DICT/handout

MANILA — Two projects of the Department of Information and Communications Technology have been recognized at the prestigious 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes.

The projects, led by DICT Region 4B, were named among the 72 champions "out of hundreds of global entries" at the 2025 WSIS Prizes, which is facilitated by the International Telecommunication Union, the agency said Wednesday in a release.

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They would advance to the final stage, where they could be named category winners at the WSIS Prizes Ceremony on July 10 in Geneva, Switzerland.

One of the innovations by the DICT is seen to help persons deprived of liberty or PDLs in Oriental Mindoro "with hands-on training" in computer use, internet basics, and digital safety. 

The DICT said the project helps prepare PDLs for reintegration, employment, and lifelong learning.

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The other DICT project helps transform business permit processing across all local government units (LGUs) in Occidental Mindoro using the DICT's eLGU BPLS system, a web-based software developed to fast-track LGU processes.

"The shift to a standardized, digital process reduced turnaround time from weeks to minutes, increased transparency, curbed corruption, and significantly boosted local economic activity," the agency said.

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"This recognition is a win for every Filipino who believes in the power of technology to create meaningful change," DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said in the release.

"From reimagining the justice system to accelerating local economic activity, these projects exemplify what can be achieved through digital bayanihan—where all sectors of society unite to foster innovation in public service," Aguda also said.