The initiative, dubbed "E-Governance for Municipal Development," is being undertaken by the Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) in partnership with the League of Municipalities in the Philippines (LMP) and its research arm the Mayor’s Development Center (MDC).
A memorandum of agreement was signed by representatives from participating parties last July 2, 2007 at the LMP office in Quezon City. Officials from the CICT’s National Computer Center were also present because the agency is providing the eLGU system application software to the project.
Through ICT, the project hopes to improve governance and delivery of public service in 40 municipalities.
They will be given technical training and assistance in using eLGU software (Real Property Tax System, Business Permit and License System, and Treasury Operations Management System).
The pilot rollout will be done in 10 provinces in Luzon starting this August and will last until next year, according to LMP’s project office chief Jouhlan Aralar. "After evaluation, we’ll then see if we can then implement it Visayas and Mindanao."
Former Binangonan, Rizal mayor Gerry de Leon, secretary-general of LMP and president of MDC, the project is a way of "retooling" remote towns to allow them enjoy the benefits of e-government and become more competitive.
Gale Arlene Lee, representative of CESO, a Canadian non-government agency that deploys Canadian experts to developing countries, said the initiative will improve transparency and effectiveness of local government units.
As the project is mainly funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the project proponents tapped CESO to render technical advice and assistance.
Tim Diaz de Rivera, NCC director-general and CICT officer-in-charge, said the project has a huge potential since Canada is ranked as one of the best in the world in e-government implementation.
"We’ve been sending our own people to Canada to undergo training in this area. We’re glad that Canadian experts are participating in this e-government project so they can share their expertise," he said.
Also present at the launch was Zenaida Maglaya, undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry, who said the undertaking could help in pushing the competitive rankings of the Philippines.
"One of the things that is discouraging investors from coming is the difficulty of putting up a business here. Hopefully, with this project, we can cut the transaction time in getting those permits and lessen the number of people who will sign the documents," she said.
Currently, Maglaya said it takes 48 days to start a business in the Philippines. She said the trade department is trying to whittle that down to at least 28 days.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Melvin G. Calimag
Quelle/Source: The Manila Bulletin, 08.07.2007
