THE OBSOLESCENCE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

THE OBSOLESCENCE OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS

Elon Musk recently criticized the state of U.S. government computer systems, describing them as outdated and inefficient. His remarks have sparked discussions worldwide, including in the Philippines, about the state of government technology infrastructure. What exactly did he mean? Based on his comments, he seems to be referring to both outdated hardware and software, including the continued use of COBOL by some U.S. government agencies.

COBOL, a programming language developed in the 1950s, is still widely used today, particularly in banking and government institutions. While the language itself is considered obsolete in the modern era of AI-driven computing, the applications built with COBOL continue to function effectively. This raises the question: Is it really the software that is obsolete, or is it the hardware supporting it?

Musk may have been pointing to the reliance on legacy systems—Local Area Networks (LANs) that use old servers and workstations instead of leveraging cloud computing. Cloud-based systems are regularly updated and less prone to obsolescence, making them a more modern solution. If that is the case, then the real issue is not just software but the entire ICT infrastructure of government agencies.

However, obsolescence is not purely about age. In the ICT sector, the key concern is the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the client and the service provider. Even if hardware and software are not brand new, they are acceptable if the agreed-upon performance metrics are met. The implication is that software and hardware should not be unnecessarily old or inefficient to the point of failing to deliver required services.

A useful analogy is the car rental industry. When you buy a car, it is brand new, but when you rent one, it is usually a used model. What matters is not whether the car is new but whether it runs efficiently. Similarly, the focus should not just be on whether government ICT systems are old but whether they function efficiently and securely.

In the Philippine government, the depreciation period for computer hardware is typically set at five years, based on guidelines from the Commission on Audit (COA). This means that hardware older than five years is considered obsolete. A similar depreciation period applies to vehicles, yet many government agencies continue using vehicles well beyond this timeframe if they remain serviceable. The same principle applies to computers—many agencies use them far beyond their supposed obsolescence.

In contrast, private corporations often retire computers within three years, as declining performance directly affects productivity and competitiveness. In the Philippine government, where productivity standards are often unclear and competition is nonexistent, there is less pressure to upgrade systems.

From a modern perspective, any software that does not incorporate artificial intelligence is already falling behind. AI-driven applications improve efficiency, automate processes, and enhance decision-making. Additionally, energy efficiency is another critical factor—any hardware that consumes excessive power is inefficient and arguably obsolete.

The way forward for the Philippine government is to shift towards cloud computing, which eliminates the need for maintaining old servers. Government agencies should also explore "Software as a Service" (SaaS) and "Equipment Lease Agreements" (ELAs) instead of purchasing software and hardware outright. This approach ensures that systems remain up to date without requiring frequent large capital expenditures.

Elon Musk’s criticisms serve as a wake-up call. If the U.S. government is struggling with outdated systems, what more for countries like the Philippines? It is time to rethink how we manage government ICT infrastructure to ensure efficiency, security, and long-term sustainability.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

04-16-2025

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