Yesly Corazon, Director of Internal Audit, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippines

1. How do you use technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives? Tell us about your role or organisation. 

As the lead for the Internal Audit Service of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, I oversee the audit function in an ICT agency. It is crucial to stay ahead of emerging technologies while integrating them with established systems that have been entrenched in bureaucracy for decades. 

The Internal Audit team is dedicated to identifying areas for improvement across all DICT processes. By doing so, we aim to enhance the agency’s ability to fulfil its mandate as a transformation agent for the Philippine government. 

Recently, our audit team assisted our regional office in qualifying for ISO certification, which is a significant step toward achieving international recognition for best practices.

This accomplishment is vital in delivering essential community services, improving internet access, and enhancing education, health services, and overall quality of life. 

Moreover, this digital empowerment allows women to stay at home while gaining the technological knowledge necessary to contribute to the household economy. 

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2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year? 

As Internal Auditors, our work often occurs behind the scenes, making our impact less visible.

However, we take pride in witnessing the gradual improvement of systems and the unfolding of various projects because of our efforts.

It’s rewarding to receive feedback from stakeholders about how our recommendations have helped them enhance their data monitoring, allowing them to complete their work more efficiently.

These positive changes stem from improved plans, systems, and processes, along with increased awareness among process owners about potential areas for enhancement. 

3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024? 

This experience reinforced a valuable lesson: there are no shortcuts to success. To achieve favourable outcomes, thorough planning is essential.

Every project should include detailed strategies and backup plans; without this, you’re essentially planning to fail.

Complacency can lead to security oversights, resulting in breaches and other significant issues. 

4. What’s a tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025? 

Although AI has been around for some time, I am still excited about the opportunities it presents and the limitless applications it offers.

I am eager to explore how this technology can enhance our efforts in data gathering and analysis. 

My goal is to investigate innovative ways to streamline existing processes, making them faster, more accurate, and more efficient, especially within public service.

By discovering how we can integrate AI into our practices, we aim to drive meaningful change and foster a more responsive and agile government. 

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5. Everybody’s talking about AI today – give us your hot take on AI and what it means for the public sector.

AI is a powerful tool that can significantly aid the public sector in providing faster and more efficient services to stakeholders.

Its potential to enhance the economy of the Philippines is substantial, especially given the growing number of AI users in the country. This presents an opportunity for the Philippines to lead in the global economic transformation driven by AI technologies. 

The bright potential of AI can quickly turn harmful if it is used in ways that compromise user interests or trust.

Therefore, it is essential to establish robust frameworks for ethical AI use, ensuring that its deployment not only drives innovation but also protects the rights and interests of the public sector. 

6. What are your priorities for 2025? 

To empower my team with IT auditing knowledge and ensure that our internal audit can effectively conduct impact assessments based on identified issues.

By cultivating a highly competent team, we can better identify opportunities for improvement and offer meaningful recommendations for the Department.

This proactive approach will enable us to enhance our processes and ensure that we provide valuable insights that contribute to the overall effectiveness and efficiency of our operations. 

7. What advice do you have for public sector innovators? 

My key advice is to remain focused on the fundamental reason behind the creation of these innovations.

We must prioritise human centricity in every aspect of our work, ensuring that our innovations benefit the majority.

Our goal should be to enhance living standards and foster a more inclusive, digitally ready environment for everyone.

By keeping the needs of the people at the forefront, we can create meaningful solutions that genuinely improve lives. 

8. Who inspires you today? 

My family, especially my children, are my greatest source of inspiration. They give me purpose and remind me each day of the importance of striving for a better future.

It is for them that I wake up every morning with a clear goal in mind: to be a catalyst for positive change. A future where, as they grow, they inherit a world that is not only safer but also more secure in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

A society where technology empowers them with limitless possibilities at their fingertips, fostering innovation, creativity, and well-being.

Everything I do today is driven by the hope that their future will be bright, protected, and full of opportunity. 

To read our past coverage of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippines, click here.