September 19, 2023

In support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to improve and digitalize business processes, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday underscored the Department’s efforts in building smart cities and sustainable communities in collaboration with other government agencies through digitalization, dynamic innovation, and enhancement of connectivity.

In his talk during The Manila Times Philippine Model Cities and Municipalities 2023, Abalos said LGUs are streamlining their regulatory processes pursuant to Republic 11032 or Ease of Doing Business Act, citing that when he was Mandaluyong City mayor, he immediately acted on complaints from the public if the LGU offices failed to comply with the law.

He also said Executive Order (EO) No. 32, signed by the President last July, streamlined permit processes for the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure. The said EO, he said, states that no other national or local permit or clearance shall be required for the construction and operation of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure except those required by law.

“Usually kapag magtatayo ng telecoms tower, ang daming red tape. Because of this executive order, binawasan na ang requirements at inaasahan nating bibilis ang interconnectivity,” he said.

As of September 15 of this year, there are 8,311 permits for telecom towers that were approved by 668 cities and municipalities, while 2,404 permits are still being processed in 229 cities and municipalities. “Nakatutok po kami dito. If at any given time, bumagal ito or idelay ito, we will issue a show cause order to the LGUs,” he said.

He also said continuous efforts are being done to adopt digital or electronic facilities for business registration and renewal and for the assessment and collection of local taxes, fees, and charges as well as to shift to cashless payments pursuant to EO 170.

“We have a joint initiative with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas called Paleng-QR. Bibili ka ng gulay at pagkain sa palengke, hindi mo na kailangan magdala ng cash. Several LGUs across the country are now into cashless transactions through this system,” he said.

According to him, there is also a partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on eReport which allows the police and fire stations to respond quickly during emergencies, and eLGU System which covers and digitalizes a wide range of local government services.

He also said best police practices, such as Antipolo City’s red button in small stores to alert the police when there are thefts, and Quezon City’s drones for quicker police response time, are also worth replicating.

In relation to this, he said the Department earlier issued a memorandum for all cities and municipalities to require businesses to install CCTV systems prior to the issuance of business permits. He said he is planning to discuss with Metro Manila mayors and the MMDA to come up with just one unified system to interconnect the CCTV systems in the metropolis.

He shared that he has seen the security system and practices in Dubai, and the Philippine government can use it as a template for future innovations.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/ABALOS-BARES-EFFORTS-TO-BUILD-SMART-CITIES-AND-SUSTAINABLE-COMMUNITIES/NC-2023-1168