Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Assistant Secretary Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo has been promoted by Malacanang to Undersecretary of the Department.

Lamentillo, who currently supervises DICT’s Information and Strategic Communications Division (ISCD) and the International Cooperation Division (ICD), is in charge of the Department’s strategic communications and media; international relations, particularly exploring partnerships with other nations through cooperation and exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices in digitalization; as well as coordinating with the Legislative Branch—the Senate and the House of Representatives—to further the Department’s legislative agenda.

As Undersecretary, Lamentillo will handle more divisions in the Department, and she is ready to take on greater tasks in order to help fulfill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal of bridging the digital divide and advancing e-governance.

“Much more needs to be done to accelerate digital connectivity and improve the government’s digitalization efforts. As Undersecretary of DICT, I hope to provide more support to Secretary Ivan John Uy in fulfilling the Department’s mandate. Improving our digital infrastructure and providing internet connectivity to all our communities mean opening more opportunities for Filipinos to have a better life. While the task at hand will be greater, I am thankful for President Bongbong Marcos’ continued trust in me,” she said.

Lamentillo is not new to such a great task as she was the chairperson of the Build, Build, Build committee under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during the Duterte Administration. Now, with the Marcos Administration’s goal to Build Better More, she is continuing the work to improve the lives of Filipinos and connect Filipino communities, but this time through digital connectivity.

When she was with the Build, Build, Build, Lamentillo was also the concurrent chairperson of the Infrastructure Cluster Communications Committee. Previously, she worked with both the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in their Haiyan Emergency Response and Rehabilitation Program. She has also worked in both houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives.

She is the author of “Night Owl”, the book that details the Duterte Administration’s infrastructure accomplishments. She also maintains a column in the Op-Ed section of Manila Bulletin and Esquire Magazine.

Lamentillo graduated cum laude at the University of the Philippines Los Banos with a degree of Development Communications, where she garnered the highest General Weighted Average for Development Journalism Majors and received the Faculty Medal for Academic Excellence. She completed her Executive Education in Economic Development at Harvard Kennedy School and her Juris Doctor program at the UP College of Law.

She has been awarded Natatanging Iskolar Para sa Bayan and Oblation Statute for the Virtues of Industry and Magnanimity. The Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association bestowed upon her the Veritas Medal. She was named by BluPrint as one of 50 ASEAN movers and shakers, by Lifestyle Asia as one of 18 Game Changers, and by People Asia as one of 2019’s Women of Style and Substance.