Achieving Synergy using

Open Source

The FOSS Bill 2007 (HB 1716) Role in

“Shaping the Future through Synergy”

Computer Professionals' Union

www.cp-union.com

Computer Professionals' Union | www.cp-union.com

Advancing ICT for the People
 What is FOSS?

● Free and Open Source Software is computer

code that grants anyone, anywhere the
FREEDOM to study, use, modify, incorporate,
sell and share
● It is software that thrives because of the
existence of the Internet
● FOSS guarantees that ideas continue to be
developed and enhanced
 What is Open Source?

● Four Freedoms:
– Freedom to use the software
– Freedom to redistribute
– Freedom to study
– Freedom to modify and publish modification to
the public
 Wikipedia

● Started in 2000, now in top 5 websites

● 2.5 million articles in English
● 250 languages active
● 12 million + entries
 FOSS in Government
● The FREE/OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE ACT
OF 2007 mandates the government to use
open standards, open formats, and FOSS in its
data storage,communications, documents and
ICT goods and services.
● However, during “extraordinary circumstances”
where open formats, open standards, and
FOSS are not available, proprietary standards,
formats and software may be allowed subject to
interoperability and compatibility with open
standards, open formats and FOSS.
 FREE/OPEN SOURCE
SOFTWARE ACT OF 2007
● HB 1716
● Authored by Rep. Teddy Casino of Bayan
Muna Party List during the 14th Congress
 WHY HB 1716 MUST PASS?
● Protect people's right to access to public information
● Lower the overall cost of ICT in the public and private
sectors by reducing the country's dependence on
proprietary software and computer applications
● Make ICT more accessible to a greated number of
users
● Unlock the potential and encourage development of
self-reliant, genuinely Filipino IT industry
● Provide greater security for highly sensitive
government and private information systems
 FOSS on the GO!

● Provide opportunities to bring together FOSS

users in the country
● Promote the development and use of FOSS in
our public and private institutions
● Contribute to the promotion and building of a
vibrant FOSS community in the country
● Initiated by CPU in coordination with the Office
of Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino
 FOSS on the GO! Activities
● Nationwide Consultation
– Will seek best practices and experiences of
FOSS users in the public sector
● FOSS @ Schools
– School Tours to introduce FOSS to students
and academe
● Worldwide Software Freedom Day
Celebration
– September 2009
 @ CPU

www.cp-union.com