The president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua echoed the call of Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno for local government units to fast-track their digitalization efforts to improve economic growth.
“Sec. Diokno’s call for LGU digitalization will benefit everybody. I agree with his call, and I would like to urge my fellow LGU leaders to prioritize digitalization so that our processes can be more efficient, more effective, and also more convenient for our constituents,” Cua, who is also the chairman of the League of Provinces of the Philippines, said.
The governor, who has targeted the establishment of 400 WiFi towers in Quirino province in 3 years, also underscored how investing in local internet infrastructure could help provide education and employment opportunities to constituents.
Diokno earlier said LGUs need to fast-track the digitalization of their operations, especially in local revenue collection, to boost overall tax effort, improve the ease of doing business, and eliminate discretion.
He also emphasized the importance of sound local government finance amid the increase in LGUs’ share of the country’s revenues with the implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling.
Cua said that besides helping in revenue collection and improving the ease of doing business, the shift to digital would enhance the delivery of social services.
“The shift to digital could help ensure easier and more accurate data collection, and even the faster distribution of aid and other support to the people,” the governor said.
Cua said that besides helping in revenue collection and improving the ease of doing business, the shift to digital would enhance the delivery of social services.
“Kung digital na tayo, maiiwasan rin natin ang data duplication, na makakatulong sa pagsiguro na ang ayuda ay napupunta sa tamang benepisyaryo,” he added.
The governor, who has targeted the establishment of 400 WiFi towers in Quirino province in 3 years, also underscored how investing in local internet infrastructure could help provide education and employment opportunities to constituents.
He also urged LGUs “who are further along in digitalization efforts” to help their peers that are at the earlier stages of digitalizing their processes.
“I hope that more advanced LGUs will not hesitate in lending their expertise and guiding their fellows. Magtulungan po tayo para ang lahat ng LGU ay mapabilang sa digital revolution,” said Cua.
