President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed Robert Joseph de Claro, president and chief executive officer of the Social Security System (SSS), as the new Secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The President announced the appointment on Tuesday, October 13.
De Claro succeeds Henry Aguda, who resigned from the post last week.
Background in the digital economy
Marcos cited de Claro's background in the digital economy. De Claro joined the Social Security Commission in January 2023 and chairs its Information and Technology Collection Committee.
He has also represented the SSS on the board of UnionBank, which Marcos described as the country's top digital bank, and chairs the board of Union Digital Bank.
A plan within three months
De Claro said he would review all of the department's projects, budgets and procurement, and promised a clear direction for the country's information and communications technology development. "I assure the public that over the next three months, there should be a clear-cut plan," he said.
He also addressed the government's free public Wi-Fi program, saying about 12,000 sites have been installed this year and that the department aims to reach 20,000 by year-end. He added that internet service providers must help ensure that installed equipment works properly.
Asked about his predecessor, de Claro said Aguda "did his best to try to find ways and means on how to help provide better technology to the Philippines."
No successor at the SSS has been named.
