Communication and Development

Among the statistics that caught my attention in the Quarterly Regional Economic Situationer that NEDA prepared for the 4 th quarter of 2003 was the number of cellsites. There were 14 new sites put up during the quarter, bringing the total to 69 which was, believe it or not, 60.5 percent higher than the number a year ago.

Few statistics particularly involving infrastructures and utilities reach such a growth momentum.

This means more places in the region can be reached by telephone, an improvement that can dramatically enhance progress in all parts of Region VIII.

It also means there is a large market for mobile phones in this region.

The ability to receive and transmit information can benefit the economy through improvements in the entire production process – from deciding what technology to adopt to being able to receive orders and payments through electronic means.

The quickness of the transmission will improve efficiency as less time is used to go through the process.

Agreements among sellers and buyers are facilitated and transaction costs are drastically reduced.

The information received can result in lower production costs (e.g. less storage time and quick deliveries) and increase sales (e.g. due to availability of data pertaining to prices and quantity demand). It can also reduce losses such as in the increased ability to predict the onset of a typhoon through information from international weather sites.

The improvement in the quality of life will make workers work harder with more motivation. Thus, creating an increase in productivity.

Communication has made the world smaller and, from the economic standpoint, has made production, commerce and trade more vigorous and competitive.

Our ability to progress quickly will depend on our ability to make use of this technology productively. If we don't, our competitors will and we will be at the losing end.