Ninety-seven percent of national government agencies already have websites, thanks to the E-Commerce Act. But what about local government units (LGUs) – the country’s provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays? Are they also covered by the mandate to get online within two years from the passage of the law? Certainly, LGUs also have to comply.

According to National Computer Center Director-General Delfin Jay Sabido IX, only 25 LGUs with websites participated in the eGobyerno exhibit early this year. By September 17, National Computer Center’s Field Operations Director Teresa Camba reports that 163 LGUs – 50 provinces, 69 cities, and 44 municipalities — already have websites.

eLGU PROJECT
For local governments without websites, the National Computer Center (NCC) will come to their rescue. The NCC’s eLGU Project will enable them to build their websites by June 2003 and also make online information from pilot LGUs available to mobile phones through the WAP (wireless application protocol)-enabled sites within three years. The project is a key component of the Support Program for Electronic Governance (SUPRE-GOV).

In partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Department of Science and Technology’s NCC offers low-cost solutions for local governments to get online. The Development Academy of the Philippines and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines also signed up to promote the project.

Jumpstarting E-Governance in the Local Government Units (eLGU for short) conducted until end-September 2002 an E-Governance Readiness Survey covering all 79 provinces, 110 cities and 1,496 municipalities. This survey examined the technical capabilities of LGUs to maintain computerized operations. Areas covered include an inventory of Pentium computers, PC penetration, local area network, subscription to Internet Service Providers, the number of internet connections, website hosting, outlay for e-governance projects, and programming capabilities of ICT personnel. The form likewise seeks to assess the status of implementation of application systems development for real property taxes, business permits, cash monitoring, as well as geographic information systems.

The readiness for and commitment to electronic governance of local officials will determine which local government units will initially benefit from the eLGU project. For 100 pilot LGUs the project offers fast tracked installation of the Real Property Tax System in the first year, Business Permits and Licensing System, and Treasury Operations and Management System. The NCC will train ICT personnel of LGUs and install the software for free as well. These LGUs will become the IT showcases in their respective regions.

Web Prototype
Under the project, NCC likewise created a basic template and prescribed standard content for LGUs. The site map prototype presents the hierarchy of information to be posted online. There has to be an opening home page which points where one can find the mission/vision of the LGU; the special products offered in the place; procedures for filing real property taxes and securing business permits and licenses, community tax certificates, and civil registry certificates; community services; tourist attractions; business opportunities; and funding support for economic activities. For those monitoring the concrete performance of LGU officials, the site should likewise outline the local development plan; the existing local ordinances and those under deliberation; status of infrastructure projects in the area; and a directory of LGU officials, schools and hospitals including related links.

Representatives have also been sent to ongoing LGU Web Site Development Training scheduled for all provinces and cities. Provinces are also expected to provide copies of the web site template to their corresponding municipalities. In the Visayas, for instance, outputs of the workshop last June 2002 are already available online in the form of websites for Bais City (www.bais.gov.ph), Bayawan City (www.bayawan.gov.ph), Siquijor Province (www. siquijor.gov.ph) and Ormoc City (www.ormoc.gov.ph). URLs of local governments with available websites will also be linked to an LGU Web Portal. This portal to be established by endyear will provide a virtual front door to web sites of LGUs.

An Online Metropolis
Compared to the rest of the regions, almost all of Metro Manila’s LGUs already have URLs in the Internet, save for two cities and two municipalities. Some of the common features of these LGU sites are the official LGU seal, general information, list of local government officials, as well as the achievements of the incumbent local executive. A number of them offer local news, tourist attractions and facilities as well as business opportunities. Some offer local incentives for investors such as Marikina City. Only four sites, however, have included basic procedures in securing a business permit – Las Piñas City, Manila, Muntinlupa City and Makati City (the Financial Capital of the Philippines). Makati City takes the lead in terms of offering down-loadable forms (namely the Mayor’s Permit and Zoning Clearances). Although Muntinlupa City’s site promises an online business name registration, it actually contains the requirements of the Department of Trade and Industry.

The variety of contents among Metro Manila LGU websites alone calls for a uniform set of basic information prescribed in NCC’s web template. Except for facilitating constituent feedbacks to local chief executives, local government websites are still far from offering electronic transactions with their constituents. It is good to note, however, that actions are being taken to eventually make more services available to local government constituents online.