Under new CICT chair Ramon Sales, the CICT has become proactive in its communication functions. Unlike before when it was merely reactionary in nature, its information division has now taken the tack to inform the media in advance of the various activities and developments happening inside the agency.

To be technically correct, however, it’s the information office of the National Computer Center (where the CICT holds office) who should be commended for this improved information dissemination and media access to the ICT agency.

But with every forward step, often there’s also a corresponding backward stride. And in this case, that misstep was courtesy of one of the CICT’s top officials, commissioner Emmanuel "Boying" Lallana.

This happened during a recent meeting of senior IT officials of ASEAN at the Crowne Plaza, Galleria Manila. The CICT’s information office invited members of the IT press to cover the event. One lady reporter, from a business daily, came early to interview the resource persons.

When the reporter relayed her intention to interview Lallana, who was the country’s representative to the meeting, the good commissioner flatly rejected the request and allegedly remarked, "We just invited them here to eat."

Hurt by the comment, the lady scribe interviewed another dignitary instead and hurriedly went out of the hall. "Why do some people have that low regard of the media?" she fumed. In her distress, she just ate and treated a fellow reporter to dinner at a nearby fastfood joint.

Speaking of food, allow me insert this plug. A good friend of mine is helping promote a new restaurant called Rubs N’ Seasonings at Adriatico St. in Malate right in front of Pan Pacific Hotel. I’ve been there and I must say the food was heavenly. Do check it out. — Melvin G. Calimag

IT exec movements  and the VoIP challenge

Sonia Magpily has resigned as general manager of Datacraft Philippines. She and her family are migrating to Australia. "It was a privilege and a pleasure knowing you. Thanks for all the support you have extended to me during my term at Datacraft Philippines," says Sonia. Her friends in the IT industry would be missing her a lot. Good luck to your next home in Australia!

Another IT executive also resigned from Allied Telesyn. Marc Tioseco has joined IBM Philippines as business development executive for IBM’s strategic business outsourcing. He used to be with Datacraft before joining Allied Telesyn.

One of the biggest challenges of CICT chair Mon Sales is how soon would he able to implement President Arroyo’s recent directive in implementing voice over IP (VoIP) in government agencies and offices. VoIP technology could drastically reduce costs in telecommunications and communications spending in government.

And that’s a huge task considering that there’s a strong resistance to changes particularly in deployment new technologies. The failed R200-million electronic procurement project and the R2-billion election automation were classic examples on how difficult IT projects are implemented in government. — Edu H. Lopez