CAN WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT IS OPEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS?

CAN WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT THAT IS OPEN TWENTY -FOUR HOURS?

Many people are asking a simple but interesting question: can we have a government that is open twenty-four hours a day?

In one sense, the answer is yes. In another sense, the answer is not yet.

Traditionally, government offices operate like ordinary offices. They open in the morning and close in the afternoon. Recently, the government of the Philippines even experimented with a temporary four-day onsite work week in March 2026 in order to save on electricity and transportation costs.

However, we are already living in an era where government services can theoretically operate 24 hours a day—not through physical offices, but through digital systems.

Some government agencies already have call centers that operate around the clock. That is certainly a step forward. Unfortunately, there is still a limitation. Many call center agents eventually tell their callers to visit the nearest branch in person because the transaction requires “personal appearance.”

Why is personal appearance still required?

In my opinion, the reason is simple: many government computer systems are not yet designed for secure digital identity verification. Without a reliable way to confirm that a person online is truly who he or she claims to be, agencies still insist on face-to-face transactions.

Fortunately, technology has already solved much of this problem.

Today, there are many ways to authenticate identity online. These include biometric technologies such as voice recognition and facial recognition. Traditional methods are also available, including passwords, PIN codes, QR codes, NFC systems, and RFID identification.

In fact, many banks and financial institutions already use these technologies successfully.

If the private sector can do it, why can’t the government?

This discussion is very timely because the government is currently looking for ways to reduce operating costs. Moving more transactions online could significantly reduce the need for large office spaces, long queues, and energy consumption.

Of course, mobile apps are a very useful tool for digital government services. The Philippine government is already developing the eGov PH mobile application to centralize various public services and identification systems.

However, I would suggest that the government should not rely only on internet-based systems. SMS services should also be available as an alternative. Some people may think SMS is outdated, but the reality is that many Filipinos still have access to basic mobile phones but not stable internet connections. In many rural areas, SMS remains the most reliable digital communication channel.

Around the world, one country stands out as the gold standard of digital governance: Estonia. Their system is often called “e-Estonia.” In that country, about 99 percent of government services are already available online. Citizens can file taxes, register companies, access medical records, and even vote electronically at any time of the day.

The Estonian government estimates that its digital system saves more than 1,400 years of working time every year. That is a remarkable example of efficiency.

The Philippines is slowly moving in that direction. For example, the payment system of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas known as PhilPaSS Plus is now being upgraded to support 24/7 financial settlements. Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers already operates round-the-clock assistance centers to help overseas Filipino workers in emergencies.

Still, we must also recognize the challenges.

A fully digital government could leave behind people who do not have reliable internet access. Cybersecurity threats are also a major concern because a digital government becomes a constant target for hackers.

Nevertheless, the potential benefits are enormous. Imagine registering a business at midnight, renewing a permit on a Sunday, or paying government fees without standing in long lines.

Personally, I believe that the future of government will not be about keeping offices open twenty-four hours. Instead, it will be about building computer systems that never sleep.

In other words, the government of the future will not necessarily have employees working at midnight—but its digital services will always be awake. 

RAMON IKE V. SENERES

www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com senseneres.blogspot.com 09088877282/04-30-2027

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