VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – Residents of Ilocos Sur can now experience a more convenient way to transact with the government thanks to the recent launch of the eGov PH (e-Government Philippines) app and electronic Local Government Unit (eLGU) system by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The eGov PH app simplifies transactions between the government and citizens by integrating various government sectors into a single online platform that will reduce economic costs for citizens.
The eLGU system can be accessed through the eGov PH app, allowing people from all over the Philippines to avail of a wide range of local government services, including business permits and licensing, local tax processing, civil registration, real property tax, barangay clearance, and information dissemination.
“This event is not just a call for the DICT to digitally transform the country. Our chief information officer is President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., and he said if we skip digitalization today, we will have problems later on in the future in being competitive with our neighboring countries,” said Regional Director June Vincent Manuel Gaudan.
Gaudan added, “We don’t want the Philippines to be lagging behind. If we don’t do this today, then it will be a negative thing for the future generation because all countries right now are doing digital transformation.”
He said the eGov PH super app aims to address the current challenges in government service, such as excessive forms and documents, red tape, complicated websites, and long waiting times.
Currently, 17 of the 24 eGov systems are operational, including the digital national ID, eReport (Philippine One-Stop Citizen Reporting System), eHealth, eNews (providing updates on current events from the Presidential Communications Office), eJobs, eStartUp, and eCommerce, among others.
One notable feature of the app is the single sign-on technology, which integrates e-government services from both national and local governments.
The DICT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with 26 government agencies to enable this feature.
Gaudan said, “Once you download the app, you will be able to see your government transaction(s), and it is the ease of doing business in these transactions that makes the eGov PH app the app of choice of every Filipino for every government transaction.”
“I urge you to download your eGov PH app today. Once you get verified and, for example, you go to your Pag-IBIG account, you will not log in with your credentials anymore because we have a single sign-on technology that will automatically detect that you are who you say you are, therefore you can avail of the services of the government,” he said.
For individuals who frequently forget their ID when claiming assistance at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the app’s “Show Yourself ID” feature will be beneficial.
“DICT programmed a technology that can verify the digital national ID in different forms. What we did was work with the DSWD, so when you visit their office to avail of assistance, you will only be required to write your name, birthday, and address. The DSWD has the computer needed with a built-in camera to scan your face, and automatically you can be verified,” he added.
In collaboration with the Department of Labor and Employment, the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and other agencies, citizens can now create their simple resumes to be accessed by local and foreign employers.
All local chief executives or their representatives in the province demonstrated their support for the program by affixing their digital signatures to a commitment wall.
Sta. Catalina Mayor Edgar Rapanut expressed gratitude to the DICT for embracing LGUs as partners in digitalization.
He said, “Through the assistance of the DICT, we have begun digitalizing e-payment and the issuance of business permits. The LGU-Santa Catalina aims to digitize additional services, including health, agriculture, social services, the Treasury, and the Assessor’s Office. Our goal is to fully digitalize the operations of our LGU. Despite being a small town, I believe that through digitalization, we can be on par with larger and wealthier LGUs.”
“I kindly request the DICT to provide guidance and send staff to assist us in aligning with the direction set by the DICT and the current administration,” Rapanut ended.
To partner with the DICT through the eLGU system, LGUs must first express their interest by sending a letter of intent addressed to DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Subsequently, the DICT will conduct an ICT assessment or a digital e-readiness survey for the LGU.
Afterward, the Sangguniang Bayan or Panlungsod must pass a resolution authorizing the local chief executive to enter into a MOU or agreement with the DICT.
Once the memorandum is signed by the LGU and the DICT, user training for the LGU stakeholders will be conducted for smooth implementation of the platform. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
