Digitization of Government Services in Piagapo, BARMM, Commences Successfully Despite Internet Challenges
From left to right: Bebz Lingga (MILG), Cosain Akil Jr (UNDP), Justin Talusan (Fourello), Kristine Carilimdiliman (UNDP), Shamim Hossain (OrangeBD), Ivanul Islam Likhon (OrangeBD) and Mitzi Mendoza (UNDP)
Piagapo, BARMM - The municipality of Piagapo in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Philippines, has achieved a remarkable milestone with the successful soft launch of its digitized government services on May 31, 2023. Despite facing low internet connectivity due to satellite-based internet access, the initiative has been widely hailed as a significant step forward in improving public service delivery.
Piagapo's digitization efforts were led by a team of dedicated individuals from different organizations. Fourello’s founder, Justin Talusan, served as a tech consultant and User Experience (UX) specialist to ensure that the digital platform was lightweight, user-friendly, and compatible with weak internet connections. As a result, residents can now conveniently and efficiently access various government services through the newly established digital center, marking a significant leap in public service accessibility for the entire region.
With the successful soft launch, Piagapo has become the first municipality in the BARMM region to establish a digital center for government services. This initiative aims to streamline administrative processes, reduce bureaucratic red tape, and enhance transparency in service delivery.
Residents of Piagapo and the surrounding areas now have the convenience of accessing key government services online, such as business registration, certificate of live birth, and many more to come. The digitized platform is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that even individuals with limited digital literacy can navigate and utilize the services effectively.
One of the significant challenges faced during the implementation of this initiative was the low internet connectivity, which relied solely on satellite-based access. However, through meticulous planning and technical expertise, the team overcame these challenges by optimizing the digital platform to operate seamlessly even with weak internet connections. This achievement underscores the resilience and commitment of the team to deliver effective solutions for the community's benefit.
Local officials and residents have expressed their enthusiasm and appreciation for the digitized services, highlighting the positive impact it will have on efficiency, transparency, and convenience. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the time and effort required to avail government services, empowering citizens and promoting a more inclusive and technologically advanced society.
As Piagapo paves the way for digital transformation in the BARMM region, other municipalities are expected to follow suit, capitalizing on the success of this groundbreaking initiative. With continued efforts to enhance internet connectivity and expand digital infrastructure, the digitization of government services holds the potential to revolutionize public service delivery, improve governance, and uplift the lives of citizens in the Philippines.
