MISAMIS OCCIDENTAL (PIA)-- Red tape, long lines, and numerous steps can be eliminated for faster public transactions when digitalization is implemented in government services.

Engr. Eugene C. Raposala III, provincial officer and OIC Technical Operations Division chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)-10, said, “Ang naka gwapo sa digitalization, daghan mawala, we solve the red tape, we solve the long lines from the government, and even ang processes maputol nato, mapaspas nato [What's beautiful about digitalization is that a lot will be lost; we solve the red tape, we solve the long lines from the government, and even the processes we can cut, we can speed up].”

For example, in a basic signature, if the boss is not there, there is no signatory, which means that transaction will be delayed for another day.

“We have the Philippine digital infrastructure; as long as you have the internet, you can sign documents; you can’t deny signing because it is bound by a digital certificate,” Raposala said.

It is like a digital certificate, where once you sign the document, you can’t deny it because the authenticity of the signature can be traced, compared to scanned signatures. DICT is able to determine whether another person has altered the document thanks to this digital signature.

DICT is also offering local government units Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System (i-BPLS) software that would enable LGUs and their constituents to apply for and process building permits and occupancy permits electronically.

The previous Electronic Business Permits and Licensing System, or eBPLS, of DICT covered the electronic processing of business permits, which is now possible with the iBPLS.

Further, DICT MisOcc has conducted various activities in the past year that have opened opportunities for Misamisnons, particularly in adding 23 wifi sites, which total 53 wifi sites in 28 locations.

The DICT also provided a 400 Mbps internet connection in Ozamiz City, which is extended to 20 sites, including public schools, markets, and wellness centers.

Further, they have conducted 134 engagements for the province via technical assistance, events organized, collaboration meetings, LGU initiated, and 86 technical assistance provided to LGUs that are using the Integrated Business Permit and Licensing System. (JMOR/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)