Implementing Agencies:

Department of Health and National Privacy Commission

Year Implemented:

7 April 2020 – present

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

General Description

The Department of Health (DOH) and National Privacy Commission (NPC) have developed a framework for telemedicine services in a bid to improve access to health services during the imposition of quarantine protocols in various areas in the country.

Background and Problem

In March 2020, a State of Public Health Emergency was declared in the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of the measures to be implemented in response to this emergency was the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) or General Community Quarantine (GCQ) measures in selected areas of the country. Under ECQ protocols, non-essential establishments were shut down and communities were placed under lockdown. Public transportation systems were halted and checkpoints were set up to flag private vehicles and check their credentials. Mobility was restricted to essential workers and quarantine passes were issued to each household’s designated errand-runner. These were all done to mitigate the transmission of the virus and lessen the load on the already overburdened healthcare system, but doing so also severely limited citizens’ access to regular checkups and consultations with their primary care providers.

Solution and Impact

On 7 April 7 2020, DOH and NPC issued a set of guidelines for the use and practice of telemedicine as part of the national government’s COVID-19 response strategy. These guidelines aimed to ensure the efficient and effective use of telemedicine while also minimizing the potential risk of exposure for both patients and healthcare providers (DOH-NPC, 2020).

The implementation of telemedicine in the Philippines integrates several models, combining a centralized hotline or call center service with a health facility-based approach or engaging existing telemedicine service providers, such as Medgate Philippines and Globe Telehealth / KonsultaMD, as potential partners.

DOH operates COVID-19 hotlines, accessible through the phone numbers 1555 and (02) 894-COVID. These hotlines facilitate a patient’s initial triaging, consultation referral, and/or emergency dispatch if needed. Consultations are done by patching together patients, agents, and resident doctors in a conference call. This can then be supplemented by involving a community-based general physician (based in local health centers) who can see the patient physically and facilitate follow-up consultations or quarantine monitoring. This may also be applied in hospitals and temporary facilities where the patient-to-doctor ratio is significantly high, allowing doctors to conduct telemedicine within the same building for any follow-up consultations.

Milestones

In the first six months of implementation, the DOH COVID-19 hotlines have received over 70,000 calls from patients. However, this high volume, combined with the limited availability of call center staff, has led to patients being on hold for over sixty minutes at a time during peak hours. Calls received during off-hours, meanwhile, are advised to keep their phones available and to expect a call at the soonest availability of a doctor who can handle the consultation.

DOH is also looking into integrating telemedicine services into COVID-KAYA, the national surveillance and contact-tracing system, by allowing consultations to be logged as Case Investigation Forms.

Diagram of Telemedicine and Other COVID-Related Government Processes (Source: Department of Health)

Source 

Department of Health – National Privacy Commission. (2020, March 28). NPC Circulars. 

https://www.privacy.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/DOH-mc2020-0016.pdf

Title of Productivity and Innovation Initiative:

Moncada eBPLO system

Implementing Agency:

Municipal Government of Moncada, Tarlac

Year Implemented:

2016-present

Theme/s:

Digitization & New Technologies, and Government of the Future

General Description

Pursuant to RA 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Delivery of Government Services (EODB/EDGS) Act, the Municipality’s Electronic Business Permits and Licensing Office (eBPLO) system of the Municipality of Moncada, Tarlac was implemented in 2016. Initially, it only aimed to streamline the process of business permits and license transactions in Moncada through an organized online database for all business records. As of 2021, the system has also integrated an Electronic Queuing System, Mayor’s Assistance System, Revised Automated Travel Pass System, and Human Resources Human Resources Information System (HRIS). It also serves as a database for other records such as real property taxes (RPT) and community tax certificates (CTC).

Background and Problems

Moncada is a first-class municipality in Tarlac, with over 57,000 residents according to the 2015 Census. Residents aged 15 to 64, which belong to the economically active population and actual or potential workforce members, constitute 62.25% of the municipality. In terms of trade and commerce, there are currently over 500 business establishments and 500 public market stalls.

Based on Moncada LGU’s data, before implementing the eBPLO system, the average assessment time of business-related documents would usually take at least two to four hours with manual processing. There are also instances of missing or misplaced physical records, which would result in transactions taking even longer. Municipal records show that before the eBPLO implementation, only about four to five transactions could be accommodated per day.

Solution and Impact

Moncada LGU partnered with ezGov, a company that specializes in the application and system development for various local governments in the country, in automating their eBPLO and records for RPT, engineering, and treasury, creating HRIS system for their resource management and queuing system for customer service, and developing their eMoncada and COVID Management Applications.

With the eBPLO system in place, the performance monitoring data of Moncada showed a significant improvement in the speed of transactions. From an average of two hours pre-implementation, the assessment time that the system recorded as of 2020 reduced to an average of 2.81 minutes. The average daily transactions also increased from only four to five to at least 90. These already notable leaps in productivity become even more impressive given other factors such as the fact that manual transactions often take even longer hours whenever the assessors fail to find the previous records of business owners.

Apart from improving the efficiency of transactions, the eBPLO system also constantly monitors delays and acts on them accordingly through a performance monitoring feature integrated into the queuing system, which records the length of time that the users spend lining up until they have accomplished all the processes. The resulting time saved has freed up the staff to focus on other important municipal tasks.

The shorter and almost hassle-free transactions have encouraged more people to register and start new businesses. Since 2016, 100 percent of business owners in Moncada have been registered in the system and all of the local government’s’s business processes go through it as well. From less than 30 large enterprises, the municipality of Moncada is now home to a total of 190 in 2020.

Milestones

In 2020, the eBPLO system won second place in the Digital Governance Awards (DGA) which was organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), through its ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP). The DGA is an annual search for ICT best practices of local government units (LGUs) for more effective and efficient delivery of public services to their constituents and business stakeholders.

The Moncada LGU is currently planning to incorporate an online payment system to further increase the convenience for businesses in the municipality. The LGU also aims to integrate the system in their new eMoncada Application, which aims to serve as an all-in-one platform that features a local business directory and services such as contact tracing and a tracker for the vaccination status of residents.

A person using the eBPLO system

Screenshots of the eBPLO system user interface

References

Sigue, J. B. (2021). Digital Governance Awardees for 2020. Retrieved from https://jocellebatapasigue.com/2021/09/09/digital-governance-awardees-for-2020/

PhilAtlas. (n.d.). Moncada, province of Tarlac. PhilAtlas. Retrieved from https://www.philatlas.com/luzon/r03/tarlac/moncada.html 

Aquino, E. (2020). (rep.). Digital governance awards 2020 business empowerments (G2B) Moncada: Automated BPLO. Moncada, Philippines.

Implementing Agency

Jakarta Provincial Government and Jakarta Smart City Management

Year Implemented

November 2019 – present

Themes

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

General Description

Developed by the Jakarta Smart City Management, the Jakarta Kini (JAKI) App is a one-stop solution mobile application for a variety of local government services.

Background and Problems

The integration of government services in a megacity whose metropolitan area covers 6,392 square kilometers presents complex problems. The sheer amount of data involved in providing such services required infrastructure that was unsustainable during the early 2000s. With the arrival of technological advances in mobile computing, the consolidation of all necessary information while including functionality for citizens became both achievable and sustainable in the long term. 

The Jakarta local government tested the waters of citizen engagement through mobile applications with Qlue in 2016 and the Citizen Relationship Management (CRM) App in 2017. However, both almost exclusively dealt with non-emergency complaints and concerns and did not utilize information functionalities. 

Solution and Impact

The Jakarta Smart City Management introduced the Jakarta Kini (JAKI) App to its citizens in November 2019. The platform features broad multifunctionality, providing 14 distinct functions as of October 2021:

  1. JakWarta: an official news source directly from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government
  2. JakLapor: a rapid community response (CRM) platform with geo-tagging features where residents can report crimes
  3. JakRespons: a tool where residents can monitor the status of their complaints and also assess the response to said complaints
  4. JakISPU: a tool that presents location-specific Air Pollution Standard Index (ISPU) 
  5. JakSurvei: a platform where residents can rate public services and participate in other related surveys such as those about policies, facilities, and other official matters
  6. JakSiaga: a directory of emergency hotlines that is updated automatically
  7. JakApps: a collection of all the online services by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government
  8. JakPantau: a tool for monitoring the weather, river flow, and floodgate information
  9. JakPangan: a tool for calculating food prices where the prices are constantly updated
  10. JakSafe JAKI: a tool for reporting when one is in a dangerous situation like an accident, medical emergency, criminal event, and alike
  11. JakSekolah: a collection of learning materials and classes for education levels kindergarten through high school which the general public may access.
  12. Jako: a one-stop access to the five different applications which have collaborated with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, namely Bukalapak, Gojek, Grab, Shopee, and Tokopedia
  13. JakServ: a day-to-day virtual aide that primarily contains the departure and arrival schedules of buses at the Pulo Gebang Integrated Terminal
  14. JakPenda: a tool for checking and calculating citizens’ taxes
  15. Jejak: a tool that monitors visitors’ movement in and out of specific buildings via the scanning of QR codes
  16. Chatbot: a Java virtual assistant that can provide information about population, emergencies and disasters, health and COVID-19, social aid, vaccination, reporting channels, and other  government services.
  17. JakWifi: a tool for finding free public Wi-Fi in Jakarta
  18. Tes-Mandiri: a platform that can access the Corona Likelihood Metric (CLM) self-assessment tool that evaluates a citizen’s possible risk of contracting COVID-19
  19. Zonasi: a tool to detect the risk level of COVID-19 surrounding the citizen.

JAKI integrates various public services in the Jakarta municipality and provides enhanced functionality and citizen engagement which ties directly and efficiently to the relevant platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic has also pushed the JAKI team to add crucial functionalities such as contact tracing and free distance learning. This speaks to a potential for flexibility on how local governance can be consolidated with pandemic response.

Milestones

As of October 2021, the app has a rating of 3.8 stars in the Google Play store, based on over 8400 ratings. Also, it was awarded with “Best in Future Digital Innovation” by the International Data Corporation (IDC) of Indonesia on October 8, 2021. And as of October 25, 2021, the Jakarta app is now not only useful to the citizens of the province, but also tourists. According to a news article, it is now being mandated for tourists to download the application following the limited reopening of the province.


The following additional features are also in the pipeline for inclusion in the app:

  1. JakiID: a digital ID that will provide personalized service features to each citizen
  2. JakPay: a platform that will support the transparent and fair distribution of social assistance to citizens in need
  3. JakEvo Integration: a feature that will manage government permits in one integrated platform
  4. e-Resident Document: a tool that will provide an electronic resident document
  5. Online Hospital Queuing System: a platform where a citizen will be provided a queue number for a hospital appointment.

Photos

Photo: The JAKI App as found on the Google Apps Store, touting a 4 and a half star rating based on over 8400 ratings (Source: Google Play Store) as of October 25, 2021

Photo: The JAKI App is discussed in a forum in South Jakarta (Source: CoHive)

Sources

DKI Jakarta Provincial Government. (n.d.). JAKI App. JAKI App Website. https://jaki.jakarta.go.id/en/

Evandio, A. (2021, October 8). IDC future enterprise award, Berikut Perusahaan Pemenang: Teknologi. Bisnis.com. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from https://teknologi-bisnis-com.translate.goog/read/20211008/266/1452021/idc-future-enterprise-award-berikut-perusahaan-pemenang?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=fil&_x_tr_pto=nui. 

Ranggasari, R. (2021, October 25). Jakarta starts reopening tourist attractions. Tempo. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from https://en.tempo.co/read/1520888/jakarta-starts-reopening-tourist-attractions.

Tempo Interactive. (2020, January 17). Indonesia: Jakarta smart city to launch apps on flood warning. PreventionWeb. https://www.preventionweb.net/news/view/70069

Tempo.co. (2021, October 8). Menang di IDC awards 2021, Ini 13 FITUR Unggulan Aplikasi jaki warga Jakarta. Tempo. Retrieved October 8, 2021, from https://metro.tempo.co/read/1515100/menang-di-idc-awards-2021-ini-13-fitur-unggulan-aplikasi-jaki-warga-jakarta/full&view=ok. Tobing, A. G. L. (n.d.). JSC to Launch Jakarta Kini App for SKPD Programs. Beritajakarta.Id. https://m.beritajakarta.id/en/read/31788/JSC-to-Launch-Jakarta-Kini-App-for-SKPD-Programs

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Makati

Year Implemented:

June 1, 2017 – present

Themes:

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

General Description

The Makatizen App integrates local government functions and collaborative citizen interaction into a single mobile application to deliver services on a centralized, efficient platform.

Background and Problems

The City Government of Makati has implemented several initiatives over the years to simplify the delivery of local government services to its constituencies, such as the Makati Health Plus Program, which provides enhanced access to health services in city-run medical facilities, and the Blu Card Program, which caters to the over 85,000 senior citizens living in the city. Given the number of programs that the LGU operates besides other civic services such as business registrations and tax payments, the city government faced the problem of overstretching itself to coordinate such programs at a consistent level of efficiency and effectiveness.

Solution and Impact

The Makati City Government partnered with Converge ICT Solutions and Voyager Innovations under a public-private-partnership (PPP) program to develop the Makatizen App, which Mayor Abigail Binay hailed as a step in the city’s digital transformation towards being recognized globally as a smart city. On June 1, 2017, the app was launched in conjunction with the Makatizen Card, a physical ID card for Makati citizens which integrated with the app in various ways.

The application’s target users consisted of five different groups, with functionality and features of the app varying depending on the group type. These consisted of residents, employees working in the area, entrepreneurs and investors in the city, students in schools operating in Makati, and city visitors.

Initially available to phones operating on the Android operating system and made available on iOS in March 2019, the app sought to streamline citizen engagement with LGU programs through a centralized platform that is accessible free of any data charges, thanks to the initiative’s private sector implementing partners. The Makatizen App carries the following features:

  1. Maka-Update: Gives the latest information, advisories, and announcements about the programs, projects, services, events, and policies of the city government.
  2. Maka-Negosyo: Provides important information on investing and operating a business in the city.
  3. How We Can Help: Allows users to report traffic accidents, waste management issues, construction issues, stray animals, and other community concerns.
  4. Maka-SOS: Allows users to contact hotlines in case of emergencies that require an immediate response, such as fires or crime. 

In 2020, the city government expanded the app with the following features responding to the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the continuous innovation during the new normal:

  1. Maka-Tulong: Gives users access to COVID-19 initiatives of the city such as online registration for free pneumococcal vaccines, cash assistance, and cash incentives for public elementary and senior high school graduates.
  2. Maka-Tindahan: Directs users to its official online marketplace.
  3. Reopen Business and Online Registration: Allows users to register and reopen their business in the city while also accessing the city’s employment programs.

According to Makati City City Spokesman Atty. Michael Camiña, the use of the Makatizen App increased greatly during the pandemic, due to the inclusion of financial aid services accessible through the app and the accompanying Makatizen Card. According to data from the local government unit, up to 360,000 people, in a city with a population of about 582,600, have received their financial aid without needing face-to-face verification or contact. Furthermore, the addition of a dedicated COVID-19 section for the SOS function is being utilized by the constituents, reducing the burden on healthcare workers, and enabling quicker response time for possible health risks.

Milestones

As of November 24, 2020, the app has 205,450 users on Android and 22,014 on iOS. Since its launch, the city’s central command center has reported a significant increase in incident reports, going from an average of 150 incidents a day to up to 400.

Highlighting its recognition, the initiative achieved the top 6th spot in the Innovative Idea category of the World Smart Cities Awards, Smart City Expo World Congress, Fira Barcelona Gran Via, held on November 19-21, 2020.

Photos

Launch of the Makatizen App during the 347th founding anniversary of Makati on June 1, 2017.

(Source: PLDT press release)

A screenshot of the Makatizen App Interface (Source: Makati City Government)

Sources

City Government of Makati. (2020, November 26). Presentation of Mayor Abby Binay on the MAKATIZEN App [Powerpoint Slides]. Training of Trainers on Government Digital Services for Public Sector Productivity, Zoom. 

Inquirer.net. (2019, March 4). 4,000 Makatizens get lifetime Yellow Card membership under Mayor Abby. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1091766/4000-makatizens-get-lifetime-yellow-card-membership-under-mayor-abby

Sta. Ana, J. (2020, May 14). How can Makatizens apply for the PHP 5K financial assistance. YugaTech. https://www.yugatech.com/guides/how-can-makatizens-apply-for-the-php-5k-financial-assistance/#sthash.73LluYDx.ALyy0baJ.dpbs

Subingsubing, K. (2020, January 24). Makati allocates some P440M for Blu Card program. Inquirer.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1218895/makati-allocates-some-p440m-for-blu-card-program

Title of Productivity and Innovation Initiative:

Enhancing Disaster, Incident, and Traffic Management through Pasig City’s Smart Public Safety Management System Project 

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Pasig

Year Implemented:

2016 – present

Themes:

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

General Description

The initiative consists of multiple Pasig City public safety initiatives integrated in a manner that reduces costs and improves efficiency in providing data and coordinating a response.

Background and Problems

The advent of Typhoon Ketsana (Philippine name: Ondoy) in 2009 left significant economic and social damage to Pasig City and the rest of Metro Manila. This highlighted the city’s vulnerability to natural disasters, as there are three major waterways surrounding the city and a major fault line running through certain parts of it.

The highly urbanized nature of Pasig also means increased risk for man-made disasters such as fire, drowning incidents, vehicular accidents, and medical emergencies. These public safety vulnerabilities constrain the city’s plans for increased urbanization and infrastructure development.

Solution and Impact

With the goals of improving Pasig City’s public safety efforts in the areas of efficiency and sustainability as well as the reduction in resource consumption for incident monitoring and management, the Pasig City government introduced the Pasig Smart Public Safety Management System, whose major components include:

  1. Computer-Aided Dispatch: Designated as the eC3-CMS, an information system that allows for data analysis and reporting of information in real-time, which is gathered via incident reports by citizens through the Mamamayang Aksyon sa Emergency (MaSE), a free mobile public service application for use in Android and iOS devices.

The interface of the MaSE system (Source: Pasig City DRRMO)

  1. Adaptive Intelligent Traffic System: A system deployed by the city to optimize the use of road networks in the city with the goal of safer, smarter, and more coordinated traffic flow. This is done via data gathering sensors deployed in critical traffic points in the city, allowing for adaptive control of traffic light times and management of rush hour traffic in a coordinated and real-time manner. The system data is accessible through the Pasig Smart City App, which shows real-time traffic situations throughout the city. 
  1. Flood Awareness Simulation Tool: An tool, used in conjunction with the city’s disaster risk reduction and management plans, which can provide information and run possible scenarios in areas prone to flooding. The simulation software makes use of sensors installed in various high-risk locations in the city to collect data on other environmental concerns such as water pollution and PH level, air quality, humidity, wind direction and speed, noise pollution, and UV index levels.

Environment sensors user interface (Source: Pasig City DRRMO)

  1. GSM Emergency Alert System: The public safety system utilizes an emergency network GSM system that allows for the rerouting of emergency calls to predetermined locations when commercial GSM systems are damaged or compromised. In cases of major disasters, a Text Message Alert System (TMAS) is activated, which would send SMS advisories and notifications to individuals regardless of their chosen commercial GSM network.

The existing infrastructure used in conjunction with these systems includes more than 225 surveillance cameras, solar-powered citywide mass alert sirens, a 24-hour phone and text hotline, and multiple operational pumping stations in 22 flood-prone areas in the city.

All systems mentioned in the Smart Public Safety Management System are managed by their City Command Center (C3), built in 2010. Once the C3 staff is able to verify a report, radio dispatchers coordinate and deploy the nearest responders to incidents. All interactions between citizens and the system are recorded.

Milestones

The Pasig City Smart Public Safety Management System Project was named an outstanding smart city project in the 2018 IDC Smart City Asia Pacific Awards for delivering better urban planning and operational efficiency. The project was one of 19 winners out of 148 smart city projects across 12 functional categories.

Photos

A screenshot from the Pasig Smart City App, a mobile application allowing for localized monitoring of traffic within the Pasig area. (Source: Pasig City Government)

Officials discuss in the Pasig City control room. 

(Source: Pasig Command Center Facebook page)

Sources

Jocson, L. C. (2018, July 11). Pasig’s public safety project named one of Asia’s “most outstanding”. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/pasig-public-safety-included-most-outstanding-smart-city-projects-2018

Lozada, D. (2014, June 18). Pasig City: Learning from Ondoy, ready for the rain. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/moveph/pasig-city-disaster-management-ondoy

Tuaño, P. A. P., Muyrong, M. S., & Clarete, R. L. (2016). Economic Impact of Typhoon Ondoy in Pasig and Marikina Cities Using a Multiweek CGE Model Analysis. Philippine Journal of Development, 43(2). https://pidswebs.pids.gov.ph/CDN/PUBLICATIONS/pidspjd2016-2_ondoy.pdf

Title of Productivity and Innovation Initiative:

Sustaining the Local Economy and Food Security through the “Pag-ulikid sa Mangunguma”

Implementing Agency:

Provincial Government of Iloilo

Year Implemented:

13-29 April 2020

Theme:

Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

Pag-ulikid sa Mangunguma (“Taking Care of the Farmers”) is a relief augmentation program that was implemented by the Provincial Government of Iloilo to sustain local small-scale farmers while also distributing fresh produce to those adversely affected by quarantine measures.

Background and Problem

Around two million Ilonggos were suddenly left without a reliable source of income once quarantine measures were put in place by the national government to address the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the country, as they were unable to bring their products to market due to travel restrictions. This led to food shortages and rising prices, which meant that the same farmers who were unable to sell their products now also had less purchasing power to provide for their families. With no timetable in place for the easing of quarantine measures, the Iloilo Province local government unit (LGU) had to provide a fast and direct means of assistance to its constituents that would address both the loss of access to food supply and the loss of income brought about by the pandemic.

Solution and Impact

Pag-ulikid sa Mangunguma was a multi-pronged response launched by the Provincial Government of Iloilo to address food insecurity and economic slowdown by purchasing PHP 8.7 million worth of agricultural products from small-scale farmers for distribution to local communities. Farmers who normally would deal with markets or middlemen were advised to coordinate directly with their respective municipal agriculturists, and the delivery of the produce to the provincial capital was mandated to be at most a day after purchase. Consolidators from the provincial LGU were tapped to put together an emergency supply chain in the provincial capital of Iloilo for repacking and distribution. Areas hardest hit by travel restrictions were targeted and prioritized as beneficiaries for the repacked goods.

Milestones

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 recognized the initiative as a Best Practice in the Western Visayas Region. Also, a recent webinar organized by Greenpeace Philippines, the Rice Watch Action Network, Nagkaisang Grupo Laban sa RTL (United Groups Against the Rice Tariffication Law), and the Bayanihan sa Agrikultura have cited it as a key step in restoring the food supply chain in Iloilo after the initial implementation of quarantine restrictions. Nutritionists and health advocates have also lauded the initiative, as it emphasized the importance of agricultural produce over processed foods during the pandemic period.

Testimonials

“We also need to help our small farmers and make sure that the local economy is sustained.” 

– Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Governor, Provincial Government of Iloilo

“It is a good innovation that may be replicated (by other LGUs) to address the current situation.” – Ariel Iglesia, Director, Department of the Interior and Local Government Region VI

Photos

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. checks the agricultural produce purchased from small farmers that were distributed to households affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) (Source: DILG Region IV)

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. inspects the agricultural products delivered at the Sports Complex Gym. (Source: PICAO)

Sources

Novio, E. (2020, May 29). Best practices in agriculture sector towards ‘better normal’ pushed by LGUs, CSOs. Greenpeace. https://www.greenpeace.org/philippines/story/9688/best-practices-in-philippine-agriculture-towards-better-new-normal-pushed-by-government-units-cso/

PICAO. (2020, June 5). Iloilo’s COVID-19 initiative hailed as best practice. Official Website of Province of Iloilo. http://www.iloilo.gov.ph/agriculture-and-fisheries/iloilo%E2%80%99s-covid-19-initiative-hailed-best-practice

Pineda, L. T. (n.d.). Iloilo Province’s “Pag-ulikid sa Mangunguma” cited as best practice. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1041150

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Valenzuela

Year Implemented:

14 May 2020 – present

Theme:

Management for Productivity, Quality, and Agility

General Description

The COVID-19 Workplace Management Plan is a risk assessment and management guide that businesses in Valenzuela need to adopt before being allowed to resume operations.

Background and Problem

While public health is the main priority of any local government unit (LGU) during the COVID-19 pandemic, it also has to consider that businesses need to be able to become operational again in order to sustain the local economy and provide employment opportunities. The Valenzuela LGU thus had to find a careful, measured response that would allow for the safe reopening of businesses while ensuring the safety of workers and their families.

Solution and Impact

The COVID-19 Workplace Management Plan is a set of guidelines that would allow the LGU to determine the risk levels of offices and factories for the spread of COVID-19 by looking at such factors as location of the business, the number of its employees, and the degree of automation of its processes. The LGU requires that the following measures are implemented and monitored by businesses with at least ten employees:

  1. Installing posters, signages, and other informative materials that remind workers how to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 within the workplace;
  2. Allowing for alternative work arrangements, such as working-hour shifts or work from home (WFH), where feasible;
  3. Reducing, if not eliminating, face-to-face interaction between workers, co-workers, and clients;
  4. Encouraging the use of online work measures such as video conferences in the place of meetings and emails in the place of memos; 
  5. Maintaining proper physical distance in the office by seating workers at least one table apart and redesigning the floorplan to allow unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors, and walkways.;
  6. Limiting the maximum room capacity at a given time inside an office or enclosed spaces such as elevators and restrooms; 
  7. Empowering designated safety officer(s) to always ensure social and physical distancing and the observance of health protocols. 

The guidelines also recommend that offenders are penalized as follows:

Violation1st offense2nd offense3rd offense
Non-use of face mask or face shieldWarning3-day suspension5-day suspension
Refusal to submit temperature checks upon entryWarning3-day suspension5-day suspension
Failure to observe social distancingWarning3-day suspension5-day suspension

Milestones

The City Government of Valenzuela received the Safety Seal Certificate from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on 25 May 2021, in recognition of the compliance of establishments and businesses in the city with the minimum public health standards set by the government. 

Photos

images

Valenzuela City received the Safety Seal Certification, recognized by DILG and DTI (Source: Kevin Gatchalian)

Template of COVID-19 Management Plan

(Source: City Government of Valenzuela)

Sources

Business Mirror. (2017, September 30). Valenzuela emerges as a top manufacturing hub in PHL. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/09/30/valenzuela-emerges-as-a-top-manufacturing-hub-in-phl/

Pedrajas, J. A. (2020, May 14). Valenzuela City offices, factories to undergo COVID-19 risk assessment. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2020/05/14/valenzuela-city-offices-factories-to-undergo-covid-19-risk-assessment/
Porciuncula, A. (2021, May 2021). To the safe reopening of the economy… Valenzuela City Receives Safety Seal Certification. City Government of Valenzuela eNewsletter. https://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/article/news/13850

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Valenzuela

Year Implemented:

11 April 2020 – present

Themes:

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

General Description

The City Government of Valenzuela increased their capacity for COVID-19 mass testing through a public-private partnership with The Medical City (TMC).

Background and Problem

Beyond just confirming to an individual whether their symptoms are actually COVID-19 or not, testing also provides important information that helps identify potential infection hotspots and simplify the process of contact tracing. Given the lack of national-level capacity for mass testing, it thus falls to individual local government units (LGUs) to provide reliable and sustainable testing for the virus within their territory.

Solution and Impact

On 11 April 2020, the City Government of Valenzuela signed a memorandum of understanding with The Medical City (TMC) to provide the first public-private partnership on the conduct of mass testing in Metro Manila. In this arrangement, the LGU procures and provides the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, while TMC and Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory process them and provide results in the shortest possible turnaround time. The mass testing is not only available for residents, but also for LGU workers, including firemen, police, health station workers, members of the City Health Office, penal officers, disaster risk reduction and management staff, staff of the emergency hospital, employees from the external services office, as well as members and employees of barangay councils.

The steps involved in the Valenzuela City’s mass testing initiative involve the three-step program of Test, Trace, and Isolate:

  • Test: Trained medical technologists under the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) go house-to-house to collect specimens from patients. Collected specimens are then transported to their partner laboratories for processing.
  • Trace: All close contacts of identified confirmed cases shall observe quarantine procedures and will be closely monitored by CESU and the local police. These close contacts will also be tested for Covid-19 using PCR-based test kits.
  • Isolate: Those who tested positive but asymptomatic will be brought to the city’s designated Central Isolation Units for confirmed Covid-19 patients. During their stay, all their needs will be taken care of including food and basic hygiene kits. Doctors and nurses will monitor them until they register two negative tests. Patients exhibiting severe symptoms are endorsed to Covid-19 tertiary hospitals for more urgent and specialized care.

Milestones

Valenzuela City’s first molecular laboratory was launched in September 2020 with the capacity to process 800 samples per day. The LGU has also allocated a substantial budget for COVID-19 testing initiatives. Based on updates released in December 2020, the LGU has used PHP 70,266,420 for the procurement of PCR test kits, PHP 56,665,304 for the processing of said tests, and PHP 126,931,724 for other expenses related to organizing the localized targeted mass testing. Savings generated from budget items such as canceled events, unallocated training budgets, decreased utility expenses, and the discontinued hiring of personnel have instead been redirected towards sustaining the city’s mass testing endeavors. 

In 2021, the LGU’s COVID-19 mass testing initiative was expanded to include information campaigns as the last step. As of 25 September 2021, these efforts have contributed to a total of 106,692 PCR test results. 

Photos

images

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between The Medical City and Valenzuela City Officials. (Source: Valenzuela City PIO)

A Valenzuela resident undergoes testing (Source: Valenzuela City PR)

As part of the Isolate step, if a person tests positive, they are relocated to one of these tents for observation and medical attention (Source: Valenzuela City PR)

Sources

Calalo, A. O. (2020, April 13). Valenzuela starts Covid-19 testing. The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/04/13/news/top-stories/valenzuela-starts-covid-19-testing/713215/

Dimatulac, C. (2020, April 11). Valenzuela City begins COVID-19 targeted mass testing. CNN Philippines. https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/4/11/Valenzuela-City-COVID-19-targeted-mass-testing.html

Gavilan, J. (2020, December 11). ‘A chorus of funds’ sustains Valenzuela City’s COVID-19 mass testing. Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/chorus-funds-sustains-valenzuela-city-mass-testing-ways-lgus-manage-budget-covid-19-series-yearend-2020

Porciuncula, A. R. (2020, April 15). Valenzuela’s Targeted Mass Testing Results Out, Intensifies Campaign with New Lab Partner. Official Website of the City Government of Valenzuela. https://www.valenzuela.gov.ph/article/news/13405

Valenzuela City. (2021, September 25). Testing update: As of September 25, 2021, we have released a total of 106,692 RT-PCR test results through our localized targeted mass testing in Valenzuela City. pic.twitter.com/3jmoclwszr. Twitter. Retrieved January 6, 2022, from https://twitter.com/valenzuelacity/status/1441609122189692931 

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Pasig

Year Implemented:

24 March 2020 – present

Theme:

Perspectives on Productivity, Governance, and Development

General Description

The Mobile Palengke (Public Market) aims to provide communities in Pasig City access to basic necessities even while under COVID-19 quarantine restrictions.

Background and Problem

Small businesses dependent on foot traffic and face-to-face transactions have struggled during the imposition of quarantine restrictions designed to curb the spread of COVID-19. These same restrictions have also led to reduced access to basic necessities, as markets and grocery stores have had to limit the number of customers shopping at any given time to ensure the observance of health protocols and physical distancing. Local government units (LGUs), faced with a weakened economy and a dissatisfied constituency, have had to design measures and interventions that would address these challenges while maintaining a safe environment for all.

Solution and Impact

The City Government of Pasig launched the Mobile Palengke project on 24 March 2020. Inspired by a social media post, Pasig City’s Mobile Palengke are a small fleet of dropside trucks that function as roving stores that sell fresh produce, meat, and other goods sourced from the Pasig Mega Market vendors. The daily schedule of each truck is posted on the Facebook page of the Pasig City Public Information Office for easy reference.

The project is designed to bring the market closer to the community, significantly lowering the community’s exposure to COVID-19 by reducing the number of people going to the public market to buy essential goods. Market vendors also benefit from the project since the products carried by the mobile palengke are directly sourced from them. 

The Pasig LGU recognizes that ensuring food security remains a major part of its pandemic response and this online palengke project is a parallel effort to the city’s distribution of nearly 400,000 food packs to its indigent communities. They have also distributed food coupons to over 130,000 public school students which can be used to purchase food products and other necessities at the Pasig Mega Market and the Mobile Palengke.

Milestones

The Mobile Palengke has been replicated in Valenzuela City. Instead of using cargo trucks, the Valenzuela LGU has converted e-tricycles into mobile stores, as these are better suited to the city’s narrow roads. A similar initiative has also been set up in Pasay City via a partnership between the LGU and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Photos

 A cargo truck, converted into a Mobile Palengke, is deployed in a community in Pasig City (Source: Mayor Vico Sotto Official Facebook page)

Fresh produce such as meat and fish are made available at the Mobile Palengke (Source: Pasig City Public Information Office Facebook page)

Sources

Alcober, N. (2020, April 15). 130,000 Pasig students get food coupon. https://tribune.net.ph/index.php/2020/04/15/130000-pasig-students-get-food-coupon/

Buan, L. (2020, March 28). #KopyahanNaTo: Valenzuela replicates Pasig’s mobile palengke. Rappler. https://rappler.com/nation/valenzuela-replicates-pasig-mobile-palengke

Gotinga, J. (2020, March 24). Pasig launches ‘Mobile Palengke’ to lessen public market trips. Rappler. https://rappler.com/nation/pasig-launches-mobile-palengke-coronavirus-lockdown-march-2020

Guzman, J. (2020, March 25). ‘Mobile Palengke’ brings basic goods closer to people. Philippine Information Agency. https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1037154

Kabagani, L. (2020, March 25). Pasig City’s ‘mobile palengke’ boosts social distancing. Philippine News Agency. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1097797

Implementing Agency:

City Government of Pasig

Year Implemented:

May – December 2020

Themes:

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

General Description

The Online Supplemental SAP is a public website where residents of Pasig City may register and verify their inclusion in the list of beneficiaries of the city’s supplemental Social Amelioration Program (SAP) project. 

Background and Problems

The World Bank (n.d. in Apostol & Go, 2020) noted that the imposition of community quarantine restrictions in the Philippines as a response to the COVID-19 crisis has increased the poverty rate by 3.3% and the unemployment rate by 17.7%. To mitigate these alarming trends, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has implemented the Social Amelioration Program (SAP), providing cash aid to struggling low-income families through a subsidy of PHP 5,000 to PHP 8,000 for two months.

Local government units (LGUs), in response to their constituents’ needs, have also devised programs that expand on the national government’s work, providing assistance to other vulnerable sectors as well. The City Government of Pasig implemented the  Supplemental SAP, which aims to provide assistance to around 160,000 families that were not covered under the SAP of the national government. The beneficiaries targeted for the Supplemental SAP include traditional or nuclear families, single parents, grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, legally married couples even without children, and LGBTQ legal partners with children.

Solution and Impact

The Pasig LGU needed to filter its database of potential beneficiaries to maximize the reach of the provided assistance and avoid duplication of efforts with DSWD. The Online Supplemental SAP (sap-pasig.com) was created to allow potential beneficiaries to verify their inclusion in the Supplemental SAP. The initial database was derived from the existing list of beneficiaries for the LGU’s Pamaskong Handog (Christmas Offering) program cross-referenced with the list of the recipients of SAP from DSWD.

Those not included in the list were then also able to access a registration portal that allowed them to provide the information needed to justify their qualification for the program. This measure also eliminates the need for city residents to go to the City Hall or their respective Barangay Halls for the sole purpose of registering for the program, thus further reducing their potential exposure to COVID-19.

Milestones

By June 2020, barely a month after its launch, the Pasig LGU had already distributed cash assistance to 80% of the target beneficiaries of the Supplemental SAP. This quick distribution was aided by the online Supplemental SAP platform, and was done door-to-door in order to discourage city residents from going out of their homes. In all, the Pasig LGU allocated over one billion pesos as cash aid to the identified beneficiary families.

Photos

Publicity material from the Pasig City Public Information Office (Source: Pasig City Public Information Office Facebook Page)

A screenshot of the user interface of Pasig City’s Online Supplemental SAP finder (Source: sap-pasig.com)

The categories of beneficiaries that may be included in Pasig City’s Supplemental SAP project (Source: Pasig City Public Information Office Official Facebook page)

Sources

Aguilar, K. (2020, May 19). Pasig City launches an online finder for its supplemental SAP beneficiaries. Inquirer. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1277468/pasig-city-launches-online-finder-for-its-supplemental-sap-beneficiaries#ixzz6RQyUUSUe

Apostol, V. and Go, L. (2020, August 9) Ameliorating the Social Amelioration Program. Business World. Retrieved from https://www.bworldonline.com/ameliorating-the-social-amelioration-program/

 Casinas, J. (2020, June 9). 80 percent of families in Pasig City has received P8, 000 cash assistance. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2020/06/09/80-percent-of-families-in-pasig-city-has-received-p8000-cash-assistance/

Kabagani, L. (2020, May 19). Pasig launches online platform for supplemental SAP beneficiaries. Philippine News Agency. Retrieved from https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103339

Obanil, R. (2020, May 12). Nearly 8-K families have received Pasig City’s supplemental SAP. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/2020/05/12/nearly-8-k-families-have-received-pasig-citys-supplemental-sap/