Category: Regulatory Reform

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Valenzuela

Year Implemented:

19 March 2020 – present

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality, and Agility, and Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

On 19 March 2020, the City Government of Valenzuela established two isolation centers as a response to the spread of COVID-19 in Metro Manila. These isolation centers utilized modular tents and military cot beds to separate people infected with COVID-19 from other non-infected individuals. Those isolated include individuals who display symptoms, or individuals who are asymptomatic but have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The use of isolation centers, instead of relying on home quarantine, helps ensure that the city’s health care system is not overwhelmed and is able to direct its efforts and resources to more severe cases.

Background and Problem 

The first case of COVID-19 in the Philippines was confirmed on 30 January 2020, but it was not until March that the number of cases began to escalate. From 6 to 14 March, 107 new cases were confirmed, leading to the declaration of community quarantine in Metro Manila and Cainta, Rizal on 15 March. This was immediately followed by the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for the entire Luzon island group on 16 March, and the confirmation by the Department of Health (DOH) of community transmission in the Philippines on 17 March.

Solution and Impact

On the third week of March 2020, acting upon the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for local government units (LGUs) to establish their barangay isolation units (BIUs) and mobilize barangay health emergency response teams (BHERTs) to promote health and safety and bolster response at the local level, the City Government of Valenzuela set up two isolation centers for COVID-19 cases. The local government has set up modular tents in Balai Banyuhay, the city’s new and unused drug rehabilitation center in Barangay Punturin, and the Valenzuela City Astrodome, and has been strictly implementing a no home quarantine policy in the city.

Isolation Center in Valenzuela City Astrodome (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

Disinfecting rooms at Balai Banyuhay (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

The Isolation Centers are meant to house persons under investigation (PUIs) and recovering COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, freeing up bed space in the city’s hospitals for more severe cases. The LGU has also retrofitted the town hall to serve as the new quarantine facility for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Isolation tents pitched inside Valenzuela Town Hall (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

Milestones

Arkong Bato Quarantine Facility (Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

In September 2020, the Arkong Bato Quarantine Facility was launched under the COVID-19 Makeshift Quarantine Facility Project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The 15.23 million-peso quarantine facility has twelve container vans that were repurposed and converted into 44 air-conditioned rooms, two nurses’ stations, one radiology room, and one x-ray room for this facility. Each of the 44 rooms has a hospital bed, a table, a chair, and a private comfort room.

Sources

Aguarino, J. (2020, September 9). Valenzuela City Opens New Quarantine Facility in Arkong Bato. Official Website of the City Government of Valenzuela. Retrieved from https://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/article/news/13540

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, February 18). Quarantine and isolation. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html. 

The Daily Tribune. (2020, May 8). Valenzuela isolation center. Retrieved from https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/05/08/valenzuela-isolation-center/
The Manila Times. (2020, March 29). Gatchalian urges LGUS to set up isolation facilities. Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/03/29/latest-stories/breakingnews/gatchalian-urges-lgus-to-set-up-isolation-facilities/707924

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Marikina

Year Implemented:

30 April 2020 – present 

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality and Agility, and Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

The Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory is the first molecular laboratory in the country to be owned by a local government unit (LGU), and it is one of the first LGU-initiated COVID-19 testing facilities to be accredited by the Department of Health (DOH). The facility, which introduces efficient mass testing and prioritized sampling based on the Marikina LGU’s “link map,” can release COVID-19 test results within 24 hours.

Background and Problem

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, the country’s primary testing facility was the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Muntinlupa City. However, given the steady rise of cases at the time, the RITM was quickly overwhelmed with the number of tests that had to be conducted. This issue cascaded to individual LGUs that then struggled to make decisions and implement policies to address the pandemic due to the slow turnaround on test results, which could take around one to two weeks of processing time.

Solution and Impact 

The Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory was established by Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro as a means of addressing the necessity of having an independent facility to ensure efficient testing during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 160-square-meter laboratory, located along Bayan-Bayanan Avenue in Barangay Concepcion Uno, took the LGU fourteen days to convert into a COVID-19 testing facility.

On 30 April 2020, the Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory was certified by the RITM and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) and issued a license to operate by the DOH. It boasts a complete facility including specimen receiving, sample preparation, reagent preparation, PCR room, and competent medical technologists, data encoders, maintenance and sanitation staff, and other essential staff. 

Initially, the laboratory could only accommodate an average of 500 RT-PCR tests daily but has since reached daily averages of 1,000 or more. Results are encoded and distributed within 24 hours for positive cases and within 48 hours for negative cases. To further bolster the city’s efforts to increase efficiency in COVID-19 testing, other testing facilities were also established which could accommodate walk-in, drive-thru, and home swabbing modalities. 

Efficient testing has also improved the LGU’s capacity for contact tracing. Positive test results are sent to contact tracers made up of personnel from the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and the Philippine National Police (PNP). To prevent the further spread of infection, these positive cases are assessed and referred to hospitals depending on the severity of the symptoms. Test results are also used to identify the infection rates in specific high-risk places, providing critical information that may be used as a basis for lockdowns.

The facility has also helped the LGU monitor individuals working in high-exposure situations or providing essential services. Rapid test screening was conducted for city employees, barangay employees, tricycle and pedicab drivers, shoemakers, factory workers, and market vendors, allowing them to return to work.

Milestones 

As of 23 November 2021, the laboratory has tested 110,892 samples from 107,636 individuals, identifying 17,274 positive cases.

Since the recording of its first COVID-19 case, Marikina City has shifted its programs to adapt to life after the pandemic. The LGU has expressed plans to enhance the Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, adding more RNA Extraction and PCR machines which will further increase the facility’s testing capacity. They are also looking into augmenting the facility’s manpower complement in order to have 24/7 processing without overworking the current laboratory staff. 

Testimonial

“It is okay. It is good. It is one of the best laboratories I’ve seen. The construction is good. The layout is organized, and the equipment is compliant with the standards. The furnishing is tastefully executed.” – Dr. Francisco Duque III, Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH)

Photos

Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Building (Source: Marikina City LGU)

Certifications and License to Operate from RITM, DOH, and PhilHealth for the Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory Building (Source: Marikina City LGU)

Facilities in the Marikina Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (Source: Marikina City LGU)

Sources

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC). (2021, November 23). COVID-19 Philippine situationer – Issue no. 573. Retrieved November 27, 2021, from https://app.adpc.net/resources/covid-19-philippine-situationer-issue-no-573/. 

Caliwan, C. (2020, April 17). Marikina COVID-19 test center compliant with DOH standards: Duque. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1100226

Casilao, J.L. (2020, May 1). Marikina COVID-19 lab results released in 24 hours. GMA News Online. Retrieved from https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/736481/marikina-covid-19-lab-results-released-in-24-hours/story/

Cepeda, M. (2020, July 9). ‘Common sense’ and speed shield Marikina City from the coronavirus. Rappler. Retrieved from https://rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/common-sense-speed-shield-marikina-from-coronavirus

Local Government Unit of Marikina (n.d.). Marikina City COVID-19 Testing.

Marquez, C. (2020, April 30). Breaking: DOH finally green lights Marikina City’s COVID-19 testing center. Inquirer.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1267497/doh-finally-green-lights-marikina-citys-covid-19-testing-center

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Pasig

Year Implemented:

15 July 2019 – present 

Themes:

Digitization & New Technologies, and Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

Ugnayan sa Pasig (UsaP) is the 24/7 platform for the Pasig City Public Participation, Accountability, and Transparency Unit. It uses social media, email, and a telephone hotline to provide the people of Pasig with an avenue for complaints and service requests, including those for public information records.

Background and Problem

The City Government of Pasig passed Ordinance No. 37, otherwise known as the Pasig Transparency Mechanism Ordinance of 2018, in order to attempt to address growing public concerns about poor service delivery and corrupt practices throughout the local government unit (LGU). The ordinance’s original author, then-city councilor Vico Sotto, was elected mayor in 2019 and used the ordinance as the takeoff point for what would be his office’s flagship project to increase public engagement with and trust in local government. 

Solution and Impact 

UsaP was established through Ordinance No. 37 on 15 July 2019, within the first month of Sotto’s first term in office. The project aims to provide the public with an avenue for immediate assistance and easy access to documents related to information on various government services, projects, and transactions. It is designed to encourage active public participation in crafting effective policies by using a more dynamic approach to civil service that promotes honesty, transparency, and progress in the government, through its three main features:

1. Magtanong: Presents citizens an avenue to ask and inquire about government activities and information;
2. Magsumbong: Acts as a grievance mechanism for negative experiences with local government service delivery;
3. Makilahok: Encourages public participation, especially from civil society and non-government organizations, in policy formulation and program implementation.

The Ugnayan sa Pasig office is located in one of city hall’s high traffic areas, and is manned by frontline information officers that could immediately furnish visitors with their requested information or direct them to the appropriate office that could assist them. The office also includes a desk that accepts and records complaints and suggestions directly, in addition to those already filed through email, social media, and the telephone hotline.

Milestones 

In its first year of implementation, the Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit had logged 61,475 total transactions, ranging from complaints and FOI requests to suggestions and direct interactions with walk-in users. It has also been actively engaged with other city departments for COVID-19 initiatives such as the the City Transport and Development Management Office’s Libreng Hatid Program and the Social Amelioration Program, which is implemented by the LGU together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 

Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit’s Participation in the Libreng Hatid Program (Source: Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit – Freedom of Information Office)

Participation of Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit in the SAP Activities (Source: Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit – Freedom of Information Office)

Testimonials

“Kudos to Mayor Vico and UsaP staff. It is indeed a very good platform for queries, info dissemination, and action on complaints. Very helpful for Pasigueños because of prompt and direct interaction with the LGU through its receptive, efficient, and courteous staff. Highly Recommended!!!” – Josephine Rayo Bondoc, Citizen (Ugnayan sa Pasig Facebook Review, March 27, 2020)

“This serves as an easy access to inquiries and information about what is happening in our town and community. Thank you!” – Edna Martinez, Citizen (Ugnayan sa Pasig Facebook Review, May 20, 2020)

Photos

Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit 2020 Accomplishment Report (Source: Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit – Freedom of Information Office)

11-person team of the Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit  (Source: Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit – Freedom of Information Office)

Sources

Gotinga, J. C. (2019, July 15). Pasig City opens hotline for complaints, public record requests. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/pasig-city-opens-hotline-complaints-public-record-requests-july-2019. 

Madarang, C. R. S. (2021, December 3). Pasig implements city-wide ban on tarps, posters, other campaign materials in public spaces. Interaksyon. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://interaksyon.philstar.com/politics-issues/2021/12/03/205814/pasig-implements-city-wide-ban-on-tarps-posters-other-campaign-materials/.

Rayos-Dimanlig, W. (2019, July 15). Pasig City Launches “Ugnayan sa Pasig”. Pasig City Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.pasigcity.gov.ph/article-post?news=2442001
Ugnayan sa Pasig Unit – Freedom of Information Office (n.d.). Accomplishment Report 2020.

Implementing Agency:

Hong Kong Lands Department

Year Implemented:

2019 – present 

Themes:

Digitization & New Technologies, and Government of the Future

General Description

The Vehicle Mobile Mapping system uses car-mounted image sensor equipment to record a three dimensional map of Hong Kong. Implemented by the Hong Kong Lands Department, this initiative provides complete and accurate information on the physical properties of the city and offers opportunities for smarter urban planning.

Background and Problem

Hong Kong is one of the most developed cities in the world, and as such it has high population density in a relatively small urbanized area. A significant portion of the available living space in the metropolis is composed of aging buildings that are in increasingly alarming states of disrepair, with similarly aging residents who are reluctant to relocate. This makes urban renewal and redevelopment a challenge, as there are about 9,300 private buildings in the HK Metro Area that are over thirty years of age, a number that will increase by about 50% in the next ten years. This is further complicated by the fact that between 2018 and 2038, the size and share of the elderly population in the city will almost double from 1.27 million and 17.9% to 2.44 million and 31.9%, respectively.

Solution and Impact 

The Hong Kong Lands Department implemented its Vehicle Mobile Mapping System to survey the city and provide comprehensive and useful data on the spatial dimensions of the city. The system uses the combined imaging information from car-mounted equipment to create a 3D City Map, which is a core component of the digital infrastructure underpinning Hong Kong’s smart city development. This system can efficiently acquire point cloud data and street-view imagery data for various survey and mapping applications, such as recording topographical information, updating the basic map, producing street view maps, 3D digital maps, and 3D models with very high levels of detail.

The Vehicle Mobile Mapping System, comprised of five pieces of equipment, works together to collect detailed information for the 3D City Map. (Source: News.gov.hk)

The mentioned equipment includes a high-resolution camera that captures 360-degree images and a 3D laser scanner that collects spatial measurements. These are mounted to rugged and sturdy vehicles that weave and move throughout the city, compiling and renewing information to provide the most complete and accurate model possible. The system also uses an inertial navigation system, a distance measurement indicator, and a global navigation satellite system receiver to provide precise positioning of the equipment. Drones are also used to provide a map of the city that complements the information gathered by the Mobile Mapping System at the ground level.

The 3D mapping system has allowed Hong Kong authorities to plan and visualize the dense urban environment in a faster and easier way. The tool caters to the needs of a greying population amid the rising demand for urban redevelopment. The system also effectively acts as a one-stop portal, embedded with all kinds of data ranging from population trends to building heights, which allows for a preliminary analysis of how a proposed building could impact the neighboring environment, with assessments on matters such as air ventilation and even whether a new structure would affect the view of neighboring blocks.

Milestones 

In 2020, the Hong Kong Lands Department’s Vehicle Mobile Mapping System became a finalist in the Urban Planning and Land Use category at the Smart City Asia-Pacific Awards (SCAPA). The following year, the Hong Kong Lands Department initiated the creation of a 3D Indoor Map for 150 buildings in the Kowloon East area. This included unit-based information and routing designed to support different potential applications. Feedback from different stakeholders will be collected and used to further enhance the 3D Indoor Map of an additional 1,250 buildings by the end of 2023. Major landmarks and government facilities accessible to the public will be given priority for inclusion in the upcoming list.

Sample of Indoor Mapping (Source: Hong Kong Lands Department)

Photos

A 3D laser scanner on top of the vehicle collects spatial measurements and a high-resolution camera captures 360-degree images. (Source: News.gov.hk)

One of the system’s biggest advantages is its ability to quickly and efficiently acquire data, which can be used to enrich 3D models. (Source: News.gov.hk)

Illustrating Different Classes of 3D Spatial Data (Source: Hong Kong Lands Department)

A view of Hong Kong Island Generated Using 3D Spatial Data (Source: Hong Kong Lands Department)

Sources

Chu, A., & Fan Ko-kwan, B. (2021, June 21). Development of the 3D Digital Map in Hong Kong. FIG e-Working Week 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021, from https://www.fig.net/resources/proceedings/fig_proceedings/fig2021/papers/ts03.3/TS03.3_yik_fan_11201.pdf.

Hui, E. C. M., & Yu, K. H. (2009, January). Residential mobility and aging population in Hong Kong. Habitat International, 33(1), 10–14.  doi:10.1016/j.habitatint.2008.02.001 

IDC (n.d.). IDC Smart City Asia Pacific Awards 2020 Finalists. IDC Official Website. Retrieved from https://www.idc.com/ap/smartcities/2020-finalists/

3D mapping unlocks a new world. (2019, November 10). News.gov.hk. Retrieved from https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2019/11/20191108/20191108_141157_575.html. 

Sharon, A. (2019, November 14). HK’s 3D Mapping Tech Pushing Smart City Goals. OpenGov Asia. Retrieved from https://opengovasia.com/hks-3d-mapping-tech-pushing-smart-city-goals/. 

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (n.d.). 3D Mapping. Lands Department. Retrieved from https://www.landsd.gov.hk/en/survey-mapping/mapping/3d-mapping.html.

Smart vehicle roams Hk to create 3D maps. (2019, November 11). The Standard. Retrieved from https://www.thestandard.com.hk/sections-news-print/213397/Smart-vehicle-roams-HK-to-create-3D-maps. 
Wong, K. & Yeung, M. (2019, January). Economic Letter 2019/02: Population ageing trend of Hong Kong. Office of the Government Economist, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Retrieved from https://www.hkeconomy.gov.hk/en/pdf/el/el-2019-02.pdf

Implementing Agency:

Commission on Audit (COA)

Year Implemented:

2002-present

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality and Agility, Digitization & New Technologies, and Productivity and Public Sector Data Measurement and Analysis

General Description

The Commission on Audit’s (COA) implementation of the New Government Accounting System (NGAS) and Budget and Treasury Management System (BTMS), and its particular focus on computerization improved the e country’s  Financial Management Information System (FMIS), Several innovations launched by the commission, namely the  Electronic New Government Accounting System (eNGAS), Electronic Budget System (eBudget System), Annual Financial Reporting System (AFRS), eTicketing System, and Training Management System (TMS), were geared towards making the country’s FMIS more efficient, transparent, reliable, and compliant with international standards.

Background and Problem 

COA’s Old Government Accounting System (OGAS) was not compliant with International Accounting Standards. It was hampered by technological limitations, encountered issues with the late submission of financial statements from National Government Agencies, and was unable to track and record other relevant information such as the training courses conducted by the commission.

Solution and Impact

A number of innovations were rolled out to address the aforementioned problems:  the Electronic New Government Accounting System (eNGAS), the Electronic Budget System (eBudget System), the Annual Financial Reporting System (AFRS), the eTicketing System, and the Training Management System (TMS).

The eNGAS aims to simplify government accounting, conform to international accounting standards, and generate periodic and relevant financial reports for better monitoring of performance through the setting up of accounting software that ensures correctness, reliability, completeness, and timeliness. It is used in generating financial reports following the Philippine Public Sector Accounting Standards (PPSAS).

The eBudget System, on the other hand, is an application system developed and designed by the commission to record and keep track of budget-related transactions, such as appropriations, allotments, sub-allotments, special allotments, obligations incurred, and adjustments to allotments and obligations. It also facilitates the monitoring of the status and balances of these allotments and obligations (COA, 2017).

The AFRS is a web-based application that allows government agencies to upload their financial statements in place of manual submissions. It seeks to ensure prompt submission of the reports and facilitate the consolidation of financial statements faster and more efficiently (COA, 2017).

The eTicketing System, a web-based tool used by COA in rendering technical assistance to eNGAs and eBudget System users, serves as a venue to discuss concerns pertaining, but not limited to, the installation, execution of scripts, and the glitches encountered while utilizing the system (COA, 2017). It can be accessed through the COA website with login credentials provided to trained users during their capacity-building training. 

Lastly, the TMS, also a web-based application, was designed to keep track of the training conducted by COA Government Accountancy Sector (GAS) and COA Professional and Institutional Development Sector (PIDS). It stores relevant information about the training activities segregated per training title such as International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), Government Accounting Manual (GAM), and eNGAS / eBudget System, as well as the number of agencies involved and the number of participants, resource persons, training dates, and other relevant information.

Milestones

To achieve lasting and sustainable public sector accounting and financial reporting reforms, COA is continuously enhancing and implementing the computerized accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting system. While most enhancements to the eNGAS and eBudget system are driven by new issuances relevant to accounting, there are also efforts to make a web-based eNGAS.

There are also pending requests for the installation of the eNGAS and eBudget system, but the challenge is building the capacity of  the requesting parties to use the systems. Most of the NGAs are already using the eNGAS system and the majority of the requests are coming from LGUs.

Testimonials

“The national government agencies trained are incredibly happy with eNGAS and eBudget System because they can easily generate trial balances, financial statements, and can be easily accessed by the assigned auditors. One can easily generate schedules as well as determine the aging of accounts receivables and payables. On the budgeting side, one can easily check the remaining budget. This is the benefit of computerization – results are quick, reliable, and well-documented.” – Mr. Romeo C. Cruz, State Auditor IV, COA (personal communication, July 3, 2020)

“Operations became more efficient because of the speed afforded by the technology, errors are minimized or limited because there are adequate controls placed in the system—it is easy to limit responsibility areas in a computerized environment.” – Dir. Lucila M. Isidro, Director IV, Accounting Systems Development and Other Services Office (ASDOSO), COA (personal communication, July 3, 2020).

Photos

eTicketing System Website (Source: http://gas.coa.gov.ph/eticket/index.php)

Annual Financial Reporting System Website (Source: http://gas.coa.gov.ph/AFRSv2/login.php)

Sources

COA. (2013, June 19). COA circulars calendar year 2001. Retrieved from

https://www.coa.gov.ph/index.php/2013-06-19-13-06-41/1-circulars/category/4465-cy-2001

COA. (n.d.). Updates on eNGAS, eBudget System and other related application systems

[PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from https://slideplayer.com/slide/7806868/
COA. (2017). E-ticketing – Commission on Audit. Retrieved from https://gas.coa.gov.ph/eticket/.

Implementing Agency:

Municipal Government of Loon, Bohol

Year Implemented:

2017 – present

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality and Agility, and Digitization & New Technologies

General Description

The ELBI 2.0 (Enhanced Loon Business One-Stop Shop Initiative 2.0) streamlines the application process for business permits in Loon, Bohol by leveraging citizens’ familiarity with the internet and smartphones.

Background and Problem

Business permit renewal is an annual requirement for  business owners. Before the implementation of ELBI 2.0, the transaction took ten steps, and involved filling up five separate forms. The turnaround time for the permit was up to two days even with complete and proper requirements, and could take longer if any issues emerge during the process. Because of the lengthy process and the tendency of most business owners to put off processing permits until the deadline, queues tend to be long, and penalties are incurred by business owners because of missed deadlines. 

Solution and Impact

In 2016, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) issued a Joint Memorandum Circular that revises the standards in processing business permits and licenses in all cities and municipalities. Sections 6.5 and 6.7 mandate the aforementioned departments to assist local governments in computerizing and automating their processes as well as in employing electronic and online technology in the processing of business permits (DILG, DTI, & DICT, 2016). To comply with this issuance, ELBI 2.0, an online end-to-end process for business permit renewal, was launched in January 2017, providing the following advantages to its users:

• Convenient – it is quick and simple to use, as well as secure.
• Interactive – information exchange is immediate and online, users get immediate feedback from the system during the application.
• Self-validating – errors are minimized because all the information supplied by the applicant is validated before final submission.
• Fast – response or acknowledgment time is quicker than manual application.
• Readily available – ELBI is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays.
• Secure – return and payment transactions are more secure, as all data transmission is encrypted.
• Cost-effective – processing cost of returns and payments is minimized (e.g. receiving, pre-processing, encoding, error-handling, and storage) (Municipality of Loon, 2016).

Applicants must first register an account to access the platform. 

             Screenshot of ELBI 2.0 registration page (Source: Municipality of Loon) 

After creating an account and logging in, applicants are taken to a unified form for the Business Permit or Renewal where they may input their business’ details and credentials.

               Screenshot of ELBI 2.0 business permit application form (Source: Loon LGU)

Towards the end of the application form, applicants are asked to attach documentary requirements. Following the submission of the form, it  is  sent to the Business Permit Licensing Office (BPLO) for assessment. The BPLO then email the applicant the summary of assessed fees, which he or she can settle online (Landbank, GCash, Bancnet) through the ELBI Electronic Payment Portal (ELBI PAY) or personally through the Municipal Treasurer’s office.

Screenshot of ELBI 2.0 business permit application form (Source: Municipality of Loon)

The streamlined process saves time, effort, and resources, as well as addresses the common issues they constantly encounter in the previous method. This technology is especially useful in the new normal as it makes it possible for the municipal government to maintain the same, if not better quality of service, while adhering to pandemic safety protocols.

Milestones 

In recognition of its innovation leadership, Loon was awarded the Best in eGov Business Empowerment Award – Municipality Level at the digitalcitiesPH Awards on 12 October 2018, making the municipality’s work a benchmark for other local government units to replicate.

Testimonials

“I have a limited time to transact with the LGU regarding permit processing and payment of fees. I availed the ELBI PAY under ELBI 2.0 to pay for my business’s assessed fees as this is the most suitable way for me.” – Business owner of Vipe Internet Cafe  

“I have paid for my family’s waterworks billing through ELBI PAY since the automated facility made it convenient me considering I’m working abroad.” – Overseas Filipino Worker based in Kuwait

“I have paid for my water bill from out-of-office since I was doing fieldwork and the bill was due. I have used ELBI PAY to avoid penalty and disconnection.” – Municipal Officer (C. Relampagos, personal communication, June 22, 2020)

Sources

DILG, DTI, & DICT. (2016, September 5). Revised standards in processing business permits and licenses in all cities and municipalities. Retrieved from https://dilg.gov.ph/issuances/jc/RevisedStandards-in-Processing-Business-Permits-and-Licenses-in-All-Cities-and-Municipalities-/65

Municipality of Loon. (2016, December 23). Welcome to Loon’s ELBI eServices. Retrieved from https://elbi.loon.gov.ph/about
DICT. (2018, October 17). Best eGovernance systems shine at digitalcitiesPH Awards. Retrieved from https://dict.gov.ph/best-egovernance-systems-shine-at-digitalcitiesph-awards/

Implementing Agency:

Penang State Government, Penang, Malaysia

Year Implemented:

2019-present

Themes:

Digitization & New Technologies, and Management for Productivity, Quality, and Agility

General Description

The City Council of Penang Island (MBPP) employs facial recognition technology to reduce crimes through artificial intelligence that cross-references visual input to the police’s database of known offenders. This technology is an enhancement to the already extensive network of CCTV (closed-circuit television) cameras used in the state of Penang.

Background and Problem

Penang, with an urbanization level of 90.8% is among the most urbanized states in Malaysia (Department of Statistics Malaysia, 2015; Statista, 2019; The World Bank, 2015 in Woo K. & Khoo, S, 2020). As with most highly urbanized places, challenges such as traffic, waste management, and crime are rife, and there is a need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable growth.

Solution and Impact

CCTVs were first installed and used in Penang Island in 2008 to improve city management. By 2013, the MBPP created a CCTV control room and installed an additional 767 CCTVs in crime hotspots and road junctions that required close monitoring of traffic (Channel News Asia, 2019).

The MBPP upgraded their CCTV control center in 2017 and set up an Intelligence Operation Center (IOC) in collaboration with IBM. Through the IOC, MBPP had access to real-time data on illegal parking, illegal dumping, traffic congestion, street light damage, and flash floods and other emergencies.

Facial recognition technology was introduced in 2019 to enhance the MBPP’s capacity to address street-level crime. It works by cross-referencing visual input from the camera feeds with the system’s database of known criminals. This allows law enforcement to monitor the movements of potential perpetrators, with a system alert being triggered by 80-90% accuracy match (Channel News Asia, 2019).

The initiative has received positive feedback from law enforcement, as it has allowed them to more efficiently deploy their manpower. Concerns about potential violations of privacy and due process have been addressed by the MBPP, citing that apprehensions are still bound by the law and the standard operating procedures of the police. Human rights and constitutional lawyers have also provided guidance on how to ensure that the system does not violate citizen’s rights through the same mechanism that ensures their safety.

Milestones

Currently, a total of 935 CCTVs have been installed at Penang Island, with 913 dedicated to crime hotspots and high traffic areas. These are monitored at 5 CCTV control centers housed in the MBPP office and in various police stations around the island.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CCTV cameras were also equipped with public address speakers in order to relay messages to the public and strengthen their compliance with social distancing and other prescribed health protocols. MBPP is also looking at employing facial registration technology to help with contact tracing.

In recognition of its innovation, MBPP was nominated as a finalist in the 2020 International Data Corporation Asia Pacific Smart City Awards under the Public Safety (Smart Policing) category (CIO, 2020). 

Photos

CCTV Poles at Site (Source: MBPP Engineering Department)

CCTV Control Center (Source: MBPP Engineering Department)

Sources

Woo K. & Khoo. (2020, June). Ecology and new urban program: A case study of Penang state own brand of affordable housing program. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2226585619301359#:~:text=Among%20the%2013%20states%20of,Malaysian%20state%20by%20land%20mass

Channel News Asia. (2019, Jan 2). Penang to equip CCTV cameras with facial recognition inbid to reduce crime. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/penang-facial-recognition-identify-criminals-cctv-11080092

The Star. (2019, January 3). Use of biome­tric facial recognition must be regulated. Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/03/use-of-biometric-facial-recognition-must-be-regulated/. 

CIO. (2020, March 31). Southeast Asia’s ‘smart cities’ project finalists. Retrieved from https://www.cio.com/article/3535221/southeast-asia-s-smart-cities-project-finalists.html

Inn, T. (2020, March 27). Smart City Technologies Take on COVID-19. Retrieved from https://penanginstitute.org/publications/issues/smart-city-technologies-take-on-covid-19/
MBPP Engineering Department. (2021). Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) System MBPP. [PowerPoint slides].

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Year Implemented:

2018-present

Theme:

Digitization & New Technologies

General Description

The Men.Go mobile application is a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) initiative that aims to increase the use of public transport by providing an integrated platform with convenient features such as journey planning, real-time update, and online payment integration.

Background and Problem

Kaohsiung has an extensive public transport system composed of a network of railways, buses, ferries, bike rental and sharing, and scooter sharing stations. However, despite the presence of such infrastructure, the market share of public transport in Kaohsiung is only 9.88%, far behind scooters and motorcycles (65.14%) and private cars (20.4%).

Solution and Impact

To increase the market share of public transport, the Kaohsiung City Government decided to implement a MaaS initiative. It aims to contribute to the reduction of accidents and pollution by encouraging citizens to use the public or service-based transportation instead.

This led to the development of Men.Go, an integrated platform that brings together all available public transport options into a single intuitive app that can do everything from travel planning to payments. The app has three main features: journey planning, real-time transportation updates, and an online payment portal that offers a range of packages for passengers to choose from depending on their transportation needs.

Milestones

From 28 September 2018 to 30 June 2020, the MaaS initiative has registered over 27,400 members, sold over 124,000 package passes, and recorded approximately 1,000,500 trips. It has also contributed to increasing ridership, as 21% of MaaS users are new users of public transport services.

Photos

Men.Go App (Source: Kaohsiung City Government)

Men.Go Adult and Student Cards (Source: C.H. Chen)

Public transportations where Men.Go Cards can be used (Source: Kaohsiung City Government)

Sources

Chen, C.H. (2018, December 27-28). Kaohsiung MaaS initiatives [Conference session]. Asia Pacific Symposium on Mobility as a Service, National Taiwan Service and IATSS, Taiwan.

Chou, J. (2019, October 18). The Best Practice of MaaS in Kaohsiung, Taiwan [PowerPoint slides]. Smart Asia (India Expo and Summit), Bombay Exhibition Center, Mumbai.

Central News Agency. (2018, February 28). EPA to encourage public transport use with ‘green points’. Taiwan News. Retrieved from https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3373614.

Implementing Agency:

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC)

Year Implemented:

2017-present

Themes:

Management for Productivity, Quality and Agility, Digitization & New Technologies, and Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) established an Operations Center in 2017 to enhance communication and coordination among government agencies before, during, and after disaster events. Designed to be operational around the clock, it is equipped with working areas for its member agencies, a monitoring area, and a media center for instantaneous dissemination for the citizens. 

Background and Problem

Because of its geographic location, the Philippines is considered as one of the most high-risk countries when it comes to natural disasters. The country is located in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a region where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. It is also in the region called the Typhoon Belt, hosting an average of 20 typhoons per year, five of which are often destructive (ADRC, 2018). 

Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name “Haiyan”) entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on 8 November 2013. It made its first landfall over Guiuan, Eastern Samar, and swept through provinces in the central part of the Philippines. Yolanda left in its wake 6,300 people dead, 1,062 missing, and 28,688 injured. Economic losses were estimated to be around USD 13 billion (Prevention Web, 2018). The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) pegged the damages and losses to be worth PHP 89.6 billion and PHP 42.8 billion respectively, while recovery and reconstruction would require about PHP 104.6 billion (NDRRMC, 2014).

According to former Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Yolanda highlighted the importance of prioritizing communication and coordination among government agencies during disasters (Interaksyon, 2018).

Solution and Impact

The construction of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center (NDRRMOC) started in 2014 and was completed in 2017. A three-storey building situated inside Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, the NDRRMOC manages to house with its total floor area of 600 square meters the nerve center of the country’s disaster response efforts (Philstar, 2014). 

                    NDRRMC Operation Center’s Situation Room (Source: MatthewLorenz, 2018)

NDRRMOC functions as a regular office during normal conditions with a skeletal team during off-office hours (5:00 pm onwards), weekends, and holidays. During emergency conditions and other disaster situations, the NDRRMOC activates its Duty Alert System where personnel work 24/7 to monitor the situation (NDRRMC 2016). This allows the NDRRMC to regulate and vet the information used by operations on the ground, logged in official reports, and released to the media for dissemination to the public. 

The NDRRMOC facilities include a situation room—with a video wall used to monitor any developing disaster situations—a communications room, a dedicated IT department that all technical equipment are fully functional, and multiple conference rooms used for coordination with relevant parties and concerned member agencies.

Milestones

The NDRRMC established Alternate Government Command and Control Centers (GCCCs) in three major islands: New Clark City in Tarlac for Luzon; General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan for Visayas; and Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro City for Mindanao. These centers operate in the same manner as the NDRRMC Operations Center, and often in conjunction with it, ensuring continuity of operations even if Metro Manila itself is struck by disaster (OCD, 2019).

Photos

NDRRMC Operations Center’s Facilities (Source: OCD)

Sources

Asian Disaster Reduction Center. (2018, May 8). Information on disaster risk reduction of the member countries – Philippines. Retrieved from https://www.adrc.asia/nationinformation.php?NationCode=608&Lang=en

Office of Civil Defense. (2019). The civil defense gazette: 2019 special edition [PDF file]. Retrieved from http://www.ocd.gov.ph/attachments/category/31/2019-Special-Edition-Gazette.pdf

Malasig, J. (2018, September 18). The story behind NDRRMC’s Intelligent Operations Center. Interaksyon. Retrieved from https://interaksyon.philstar.com/breaking-news/2018/09/18/134136/the-story-behind-ndrrmcs-intelligent-operations-center/. 

MatthewLorenz. (2018, September 15). NDRRMC at work!. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Philippines/comments/9g09zn/ndrrmc_at_work/

NDRRMC. (2016). National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management operations center

– standard operating procedures and guidelines

NDRRMC. (2014). Y it happened: learning from Typhoon Yolanda [PDF file]. Retrieved from https://ndrrmc.gov.ph/attachments/article/2926/Y_It_Happened.pdf

Romero, A. (2014, July 9). NDRRMC to have new operations center. Philstar. Retrieved from https://www.philstar.com/metro/2014/07/09/1344089/ndrrmc-have-new-operations-center. 

Prevention Web. (2018, November 8). Five years on: How Haiyan shocked the world. Retrieved from https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/61777#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Philippines%20National,92%20percent%20were%20from%20Leyte.

Implementing Agency

Department of Information and Communications Technology

Implementation Date

23 April – 31 December 2020

Themes

Management for Productivity, Quality and Agility, and Digitization & New Technologies

General Description

RapidPass.ph streamlines the application of frontliners, other Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR), and priority vehicles by allowing them to secure their passes online. This affords convenience to the frontliners and APORs while complying with the government’s COVID-19 protocols.

Background and Problem

On 16 March 2020 Luzon was placed under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) protocols (Office of the President, 2020). Community lockdowns were implemented to arrest the rate of community transmissions and to prevent healthcare services from being overwhelmed. Checkpoints were also put in place to ensure that the movement of people is controlled. During this period, the movement of necessary goods and services was hampered, transportation was limited, and frontliners had a difficult time going to and from their places of duty (V. Loyola, personal communication, February 24, 2020).

Solution and Impact

As a remedy for these issues, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), in coordination with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), introduced the RapidPass System, which aims to fast-track the movement and access of frontliners and priority vehicles at designated checkpoints by expediting the verification of identities. 

The system has three components: an online registration portal, a dashboard used by approving government agencies, and a scanning function for use at designated checkpoints. Frontliners and other APORs, such as delivery personnel, responders, and members of the skeleton workforce of industries deemed essential, can register for a digital pass through the system, which can then be validated by the approving government agency assigned to their APOR Type. Upon approval, APORs receive a unique QR code that can be scanned at checkpoints (DCTx, 2020). APORs can keep the electronic QR codes in their phones or have them printed and laminated for easier scanning.

RapidPass QR code on a cellphone and printed and worn as ID cards (Source: Valente, 2020) 

RapidPass QR code install on a priority vehicle (Source: F. De la Pena, 2020)

Milestones 

The RapidPass System was implemented over Metro Manila from April to December 2020. An estimated 1,000,000 frontliners, APORs, and priority vehicles have utilized the RapidPass at over 200 designated checkpoints. All RapidPass QR codes issued to APORs expired on 31 December 2020.

In 2021, multiple local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila implemented their own versions of RapidPass, such as Kyusi Pass (Quezon City), MandaTrack (Mandaluyong City), ValTrace (Valenzuela City), and Pasig Pass (Pasig City), among others. These derivative systems, however, focus on contact tracing rather than the mobility of essential personnel. Scanning the QR code of a specific establishment allows patrons to fill up the establishment’s contact tracing form using their phones. 

Sources

DCTx. (2020, April 3). RapidPass.ph FAQs. Retrieved from https://dctx.ph/rapidpass-faqs/

DICT. (2020, July 15). RapidPass. Retrieved from https://dict.gov.ph/rapidpass/

De la Pena, F. (2020, March 31). To assist our front-liners in their battle against the COVID-19 crisis, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has partnered with a non-profit local software developer organization to develop a system that can help decongest our checkpoints … [Facebook Update]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/dostSecFTP/posts/1548013948683497

Office of the President. (2020, March 17). Declaring a state of calamity throughout the Philippines due to Corona Virus disease 2019. Retrieved from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2020/03/16/proclamation-no-929-s-2020/

Valente, C. (2020, April 4). Govt launches RapidPass for Covid-19 frontliners. The Manila Times. Retrieved from https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/04/news/top-stories/govt-launches- rapidpass-for-covid-19-frontliners/709382/