In today’s virtual age, where generation fills each and every aspect of our lives, governments are embracing e-governance in the way they interact with citizens and deliver services.
E-governance refers to the use of data and communication technologies (ICTs) in various facets of governance. It encompasses a wide diversity of applications, from offering public facilities through online platforms to facilitating communication with citizens through online platforms and social media.
The Philippine government has been actively selling e-government since the early 2000s, with several key projects shaping the existing landscape. The 2022 E-Government Master Plan presents the vision of “Digitalized Government, One Nation”, which aims to provide public services, build and increase transparency and encourage citizen participation.
Prioritizing e-governance
Digitalization and e-governance are among President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘s priorities. Recognizing the President’s commitment to the sector, the Department of Information and Communications Technology has taken the mandatory steps to create the mandatory platforms to achieve the goals.
DICT has developed a national e-governance platform called eGov PH to connect the public with the Philippine government’s smartphones.
eGovPH simplifies transactions between government and citizens by integrating multi-sector government into a single online formula that will minimize economic costs to citizens.
The platform also complies with several laws regarding its effectiveness and goals.
The DICT has designed eGovPH in accordance with Republic Act No. 11032: Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 to apply a whole-of-government technique as the branch seeks to partner with each and every member of the government enterprise. for improved technology and a more powerful service to citizens.
Another e-governance medium from the DICT is the eLGU, a one-stop system combining all local government unit (LGU) services such as business permit licensing, notice of violations, a notification system, community tax, health certificates, local civil registry, business tax, and real property tax.
Many LGUs have already implemented the business permit and license formula from the eLGU.
The tourism industry also has an e-government platform from the DICT, known as the eTravel system, a one-stop electronic travel declaration system. It has so far served millions of passengers.
Through the app, passengers will only want to fill out their declaration in one app instead of having to fill out various documents in the past, such as the arrival card, local airport or port forms, tourism form, customs form, and fitness declaration form. .
Using e-governmentArray or government in general requires payment to be maintained. While the above bills come with physical site access or over-the-counter features such as Bayad centers and banks, eGovPay is a secure and one-time government payment. gateway for users of virtual payment systems such as online and classic banks, wallets, electronic cards, money payment systems and kiosks, which simplifies the payment process.
It offers easy integration, automated reporting, transparency, and reduced costs.
At the same time, the Philippine government also has a cloud formula called eGovCloud, which promotes cloud computing as the preferred generation for government management and government service delivery. With it, government agencies can access a centralized cloud formula instead of multiple knowledge centers. Make the procedure more standardized, cost-effective, safe, efficient, and compliant to drive greater decision-making.
The good fortune of those e-government platforms can be determined through the number of people they serve effectively. That’s why the government appreciates feedback from the public. This is where the electronic report, or the People’s Feedback Mechanism’s cell app, comes in. by hand.
It allows the public to register a report or comments with the government, and they can do so from 8 categories: bureaucracy, overbilling, child abuse, women abuse, accident, fire, crime, scam and other concerns.
Higher-performing e-government initiatives
Throughout the Philippines, local government units utilized e-government measures, receiving the appropriate recognition from the DICT.
One award from the DICT is the Digital Governance Awards (DGA), which recognizes the outstanding practices of local government units that effectively deliver public services using innovative ICT tools, solutions, and approaches.
For example, Quezon City QC eServices was praised for empowering its citizens through a consolidated platform where users, especially residents of Quezon City, can access government services, from obtaining entry permits to obtaining valid IDs, with just a few few clicks.
In addition to streamlining and digitizing government facilities, e-government platforms allow users to access other facilities from within the city for their lives, such as fitness and livelihoods.
Last year, the DGA named the Agusan del Sur Province Integrated Hospital Operations Management System, a data formula designed to automate hospital processes and transactions, paving the way for optimized fitness delivery to the public.
Find a task: La Union Province Task Portal, a task portal introduced amid the COVID-19 pandemic to which employers apply directly, won second place.
LGU’s projects show how digitalization is facilitating access to resources that promote public protection and economic growth.
Benefits of e-governance
At its core, e-governance is more than simply digitizing bureaucracy and records. This represents a fundamental shift towards more effective and citizen-centred governance.
For governments, this means greater power and cost-effectiveness. Online optimization reduces administrative burdens, while data-driven insights allow for greater resource allocation and policymaking.
Moreover, e-governance promotes transparency by making government information readily accessible, fostering public trust, and reducing the potential for corruption.
Its benefits to citizens are equally important. E-government empowers Americans by offering them convenient access to something essential anytime, anywhere. This convenience translates into saving time and reducing frustration, fostering a more positive relationship with the government.
In addition, online platforms facilitate citizens’ participation in decision-making processes, allowing voices to be heard and contributing to a more inclusive democracy.
While national and local governments have implemented e-government platforms in other sectors, much remains to be done.
Fortunately, they remain more determined than ever to supply the country with digitized facilities to make things more available to everyone.
E-governance in the Philippines is a transformative venture that has the potential to revolutionize the way citizens run government.
By strategically embracing generation and addressing existing challenges, the Philippines can leverage e-governance to build a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive country for all.