Manila – Nine (9) local government units (LGU) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) to strengthen the commitment for digitalization in the region.
According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Localizing e-Governance for the Accelerated Provision of Services (LeaAPS) Program facilitated the signing of the MOAs, which are geared towards supporting the #DigitalBangsamoro vision of the BARMM government where LGUs can have access to the transformative power of data, digitalization and people-centered governance.
The nine cities and municipalities who entered into an agreement to commit to the implementation of the LeaPS Program are the Municipality of Maluso in Basilan Province; municipalities of Maimbung and Omar in Sulu Province; Cotabato City; municipalities of Paglat and South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur; municipality of Upi, Maguindanao del Norte; Marawi City; and the Municipality of Wao in Lanao del Sur.
The program is also expected to significantly accelerate connectivity in communities in the mentioned LGUs and enable citizens to capitalize on the benefits of digitalization and capacity-building through improved access to services and information, community enterprise development, and skills development.
UNDP adds that among the program’s key targets is to establish #DigitalBangsamoro Centers across the region, which features a web portal and an interactive call center that will serve as a one-stop shop where people can easily access public information or transact through the provision of various frontline services, such as passport application, birth certificate registration, labor registration, mobile banking, utility service, bus/airline ticketing, school admission application, job application and many others.
The first two #DigitalBangsamoro Centers in the region were launched in the municipalities of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur last June.
During the signing ceremony, MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo commended the local executives for their commitment in providing their communities better access to essential government services, improved data privacy and security, and a more responsive and efficient local government.
“LeAPS is not just a program. It is a transformative initiative that will usher in a new era of digital governance in BARMM. It is about leveraging technology to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and transparency of public services, thereby bringing about real and tangible improvements in the lives of our people,” Minister Naguib said.
Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon Al-Haj of Omar, meantime, expressed his appreciation to the program, saying that though considered a small municipality in Sulu with just under 30,000 residents, Omar was included in the program.
“Small municipalities like ours are often overlooked. We are truly happy that we are now being included and recognized. This is why we fully support MILG and UNDP’s LeAPS Program,” Mayor Abdulbaki said.
Earlier, MILG Minister Naguib and UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran signed a MOA for the expanded roll out of the LeaPS program, which will pave the way for the 5-year Digital Transformation Roadmap of BARMM after 2023.
