The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is leading the way in driving digital transformation in the Philippines.
By integrating advanced technology, the agency is improving government services through various initiatives.
One of its notable platforms introduced is the e-Gov PH (e-Government Philippines), along with its flagship e-LGU (Electronic Local Government Unit) system application.
David L. Almirol Jr., undersecretary for e-Government at DICT, proudly shared that with just one click, Filipinos can easily access government services from their homes through these innovative applications.
“They can start and complete transactions, including payments, anytime and anywhere,” he said during the launch in Pangasinan, which coincided with the celebration of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Month themed “Bayang Digital ang Bagong Pilipinas” in June 2024 in Lingayen town.
The eGov PH mobile application simplifies transactions between the government and citizens by integrating various government sectors into a single online platform to reduce economic costs for citizens and create a connected nation.
One key component of the eGov PH is the e-LGU app, designed with user-friendliness in mind for Filipinos.
“The e-LGU facilitates digital transactions, easy communication, and access to emergency services such as the Bureau of Fire Protection and the police department in times of need,” Almirol said.
The app is also serving as a versatile tool for various purposes, like bill payment, acting as a one-stop shop for government services such as business permit licensing, notice of violations, notification system, community tax, health certificates, local civil registry, business tax, and real property tax.
It also facilitates e-commerce, managing transport and logistics, providing healthcare services, addressing the needs of senior citizens, and more within local communities.
Almirol emphasized the convenience of the e-LGU system app.
“A person does not have to use physical IDs since the digital IDs within this app are available. Aside from those features, this app can access various government agencies for processing permits, certificates, and marriage certificates, shortening the process of visiting multiple government offices,” he stated.
He added that individuals can use the app to file complaints and reports, if needed.
This integration significantly reduces the need for citizens to navigate multiple government offices.
The DICT has partnered with the Anti-Red Tape Authority to streamline bureaucratic processes and ensure efficient transactions for the public.
Obtaining access to this app is a straightforward process.
Begin by downloading and installing the eGov app on your mobile device from either the App Store or Google Play Store.
Upon installation, proceed to register for an account by providing your mobile number and authenticating it with a one-time PIN.
To guarantee security and authenticity, the subsequent step entails verifying your identity by providing basic information and undergoing a facial recognition process.
Once these steps are completed, you will gain immediate access to different sites and services offered through the app.
Derrex Dowel Caldito, a Project Development Officer II and municipal link at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Lingayen, shared that there is an annual validation of their beneficiaries through the Social Welfare Development Indicators, which require information on the employment and status of all family members.
After introducing the app, Caldito utilizes it for the Philippine Standard Occupational Classification (PSOC), a statistical classification of various occupational groups, in his surveys and censuses at work.
“I utilize the app for the censuses I conduct to search for and identify jobs and manage beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the job codes simply appear in the app. It has made my work easier since I started using it,” he said in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Pangasinan.
According to the latest data from DICT, 29 LGUs in Pangasinan are using the eLGU-Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (eLGU-iBPLS), serving a total of 42,040 business establishments.
There have been eight eLGU-iBPLS training sessions conducted in the municipalities of Agno, Bani, Bolinao, Burgos, Labrador, Mabini, Manaoag, and San Jacinto.
Meanwhile, DICT Region 1 officer-in-charge Regional Director June Vincent Manuel Gaudan stated that following the app’s launch, they will soon hold a forum to educate and train each LGU representative on using the app.
The goal is to later disseminate this knowledge through local community seminars conducted by the LGUs.
DICT also plans to integrate eLGU-iBPLS in the municipalities of Anda, Sual, Alaminos City, Urbiztondo, Alcala, Balungao, and Rosales.
The DICT pledged to nurture innovation through digital transformation in the Philippines. (AMB/JCDR/JSZ/PIA Pangasinan)
