The Philippine Government has been highly involved in using information technology as a tool for socio economic growth. Recently, in the Mindanao LGU ICT Forum for Innovation and Connectivity through Technology, Philgeps, the Philippines Government Electronic Procurement System, was re-introduced to the local government unit representatives in Region X and I was elated to find out that the Philgeps framework and initiative is actually being studied as a pilot program by other South East Asian Countries. Introduced also during the forum was the topic of “Streamlining A More Responsive BPLS To Businesses” which tackled the measures done by cities who successfully implemented the business permit registration system.
Listening to Keynote Speaker, Dir. Anna LIza Bonagua
Bureau of Local Government Developement
The ICT Forum, organized by ULAP (Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines), “aims to promote the importance and relevance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in attaining a business-friendly and competitive environment. ICT in LGUs could bring innovation, enhance living standards, promote growth and shared prosperity”
(from left to right): Jonathan Arvin Adolfo (CDO ICT), Stephanie Caragos (CDO ICT), Carolyn Echavez (DOST-ICTO), Lucita dela Peña (DILG), Councilor Jhonny Paul Lagura (Kapatagan), Atty. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue (BNEFIT), and Arrish Altavano (NICP)
I was fortunate enough to be part of the Innovation and Connectivity Through Technology forum as the President of the ICT Council for Cagayan de Oro and Syntactics as a sponsor for the event. Syntactics is providing website packages ready for LGUs and government agencies as well as providing customized software applications for government agencies in the Philippines. Syntactics is also a Philgeps certified company in the Philippines and has been fortunate to serve several government agencies and LGUs with our information technology services. Our company launched our LGU website package at this event by setting up a booth and by providing free consultation for LGUs who are looking for website providers for government offices.
We as an ICT/IT service provider in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, believe that with ICT, Innovation, Competitiveness and Transparency will surely be strengthened in the government agencies and I am happy that the DOST ICTO and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are really pushing and supporting this by providing countless services such as hosting for government websites, training and conferences such as this event.
Giving the closing remarks.