Renowned leaders provide recommendations to Puerto Rico Fiscal Board

Leaders of the global technology community urged the Puerto Rico Fiscal Oversight Board (FOB), designated by the US Congress to address the island’s fiscal crisis, and the incoming government administration to develop a new entity to lead a transformation for Puerto Rico as a “Native Digital” government that promotes transparency, efficiency and economic development.

Leaders of the global technology community urged the Puerto Rico Fiscal Oversight Board (FOB), designated by the US Congress to address the island’s fiscal crisis, and the incoming government administration to develop a new entity to lead a transformation for Puerto Rico as a “Native Digital” government that promotes transparency, efficiency and economic development.

The expressions occurred during the event “The future of civil and technological government” that took place yesterday in Piloto 151 coworking space in Old San Juan. Figures such as Tim O Reilly, considered one of the most influential in the new technological age, Jenifer Pahlka, former Deputy Chief of Informatics of the White House, John Paul Farmer, past member of the innovation group of the White House and Lord Francis Maude, former minister of State for Trade and Investment sent recorded messages with various recommendations to the FOB and to the new incoming administration.

The invited speakers highlighted the need for the Board to have a team of experts in digital strategy under a model similar to the US Digital Service used by the Federal Government which has achieved savings of billions of dollars through the appropriate use of the technology. David Eaves, a Harvard-affiliated public policy entrepreneur, said that a team of digital experts allow the Board perform its work radically effective at reduced costs.

Tim O’Reilly, who heads O’Reilly Media, underscored the importance of having a problem-oriented mindset with a clear understanding of aspects that can significantly improve the quality of life in Puerto Rico. He indicated that the process will require a digital rediscovery that will result in a better identification of opportunities to guarantee a promising future for Puerto Rico.

According to John Paul Farmer,

“in the 21st century, public policy will not work if technology does not work.”

He mentioned the failure of the initial launch of ‘healthcare.gov’ as an example of a multimillion dollar investment developed previous to the US Digital Service model. It was restructured in its entirety to deliver a service that served citizens.

With the aforementioned aspects coincided, Lord Francis Maude, former minister of State for Trade and Investment, who was the main sponsor for implementing the UK Digital Service (UKDS), the model of choice for other countries to follow as they invest in new structures of digital services development for citizens.

“The UKDS saved the government over 70 billion dollars in 5 years,” Lord Francis Maude

Giancarlo Gonzalez, former Chief Information Officer of Puerto Rico who also participated as a speaker, said that “there is definitely a consensus on the part of world leaders, states and cities that the success of Government policy needs a new modality of understanding and execution for it to be effective. The PROMESA Act can be instrumental in facilitating the creation of a team of this caliber that, together with local talent, promotes the adoption of new ways of procuring and delivering services that results in greater efficiencies, better services and future economic development opportunities. The moment is now. “, He concluded and expressed his willingness to present a summary of an initial set of recommendations for the Fiscal Control Board and the incoming government.