Marcos to local execs: use technology to improve services for the people
Local officials should start being “more techie” and take advantage of the latest technology to improve the efficiency and delivery of basic services to their constituents.
President Marcos made the call on Wednesday afternoon as he addressed the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel.
In his remarks, Mr. Marcos cited the government’s efforts in streamlining and digitalizing the bureaucracy and said local chief executives should complement these initiatives in their towns.
“We should all be techies. We can no longer ask our children to do the techie stuff for us if we can’t understand it. You have to understand technology and you have to understand the new system so that you can maximize it for public services,” the President said.
He pointed out that the country is doing its best to keep up with a “highly technical world” and rapid developments in research and technology that are being used to propel governments and economies forward.
“We should use the best technology there is to improve the services we deliver to the people. We have to understand how to use these new technologies. These will help bring speed, comfort, and accountability whenever we serve our people,” Mr. Marcos said.
He pointed out that the national government’s efforts to digitalize the bureaucracy have made “government services more transparent and accessible to our people.”
“We are progressing smoothly so far. We just have to continue these efforts and support the adaptation of these new technologies,” he said.
The President then cited the government’s Electronic Business One-Stop Shop initiative, adding that 113 out of 1,634 local government units have complied with this last year.
The government also developed the eLGU platform as a ready-to-use eBOSS platform, which 741 LGUs have adopted. This is apart from the automation efforts of 1,200 LGUs to improve the efficiency of public transactions.
Mr. Marcos also pointed to the Modernized Philippine Government’s Electronic Procurement System, which has features like the Virtual Store, the eWallet, ePayment, and eMarketplace that simplify the procurement process to ensure accountability and safeguard public funds.
The LMP general assembly began on Monday with the theme, “Legacy of Leadership, Sustainable Future: Leaders Building Together for National Progress.”
