The Role of Advocacy in ICT Policy

Patricia Pascual
Lobbyist - since the advocates meet the congressmen at the lobby
What is an advocacy?
1. on going process
2. Bring about change
3. Bring about outcomes
Reputation is priceless
-consultants
-not under the table
Effective Advocacy
1. Roadmap
-clear position
-follow-through
2. Relationships
-many allies
-stakeholders
3. Resources
*problem in RP: law makers advocate policies that they want but never follow-up
Advocacy and Aid Organizations
*Policy Reform
>Telecoms Regulation: open relations between Globe and Smart
>Open Skies Policy: break up the monopoly of PAL
--PAMET was made for Safeguard
>Inter-Island Shipping
>ICT Policy
• RA 8792 - E-Commerce Law
-Roadmap: one goal is passage of the Law
-Relationships: Many Champions: Public-private partnerships
-Resources: public, private, bilateral, multilateral
-Key to Success: Do your homework
• Incentivize technology
• Make sure investors are protected
Think Tanks
-E-government - made sure that every agency has a website
-Outsourcing
e.g. Call centers
…shows that when you get the support of the Prexi, this would be successful
Pharmaceuticals
-patents
-patents do not last very long
-Generics as a general rule do not do R & D; their pipelines are based on expired patents
>when you're an innovator company, you need to meet very tedious  requirements
Cheaper Medicines Law
4. PRICE CONTROLS - on patented products!
5. But all over the world, only price control imposed on generics (they buffer the price)
6. In the Philippines, we're the only ones who don't subsidize health care
…if price control - less revenues of company - less tax collection
*the price control on medicine just made it more affordable to those who could afford it