SP okays online, no cash payments with Baguio gov’t

BAGUIO CITY -- The Sangguniang Panlunsod or city council has approved on third and final reading an ordinance for use of a “one-stop-shop” mobile application for effective, efficient, and convenient transactions with the city government. 
    The ordinance shall be known as the “Baguio Smart City Ordinance.”
    It was penned by Councilors Isabelo Cosalan Jr., Jose Molintas, Arthur Allad-iw, Peter Fianza, Fred Bagbagen, and Lilia Farinas. 
    The ordinance shall implement the Digital Inhabitant Barangay Records Registration (DIBRR) using a mobile application under the Baguio Smart Ecosystem platform in compliance with DILG memorandum circular No. 2005-69 consistent with section 394(d)(6) of the Local Government Code of 1991. 

    The ordinance mandates implementation of cashless or online payment transactions in the city pursuant to BSP-DILG-JMC 01-2022 which sets guidelines for adaption and implementation of Paleng QR Program for the promotion of digital transactions in the local government units.
    The features of the Baguio Smart City Ecosystem modules and applications are the following:
A. Non-revenue generating system
 1. Mobile applications (Authorized Registration Officer Application, Citizen Portal Application, Business Portal Application, and Officer Portal Application)
2. Web applications (Citizen’s Registration Management System, 911 Emergency Management System, Vaccination Information Management System, Border Security Management System, Contract Tracing Management System, Business Portal Application Admin/Digital Customers Logbook, and Integrated Public Advisory and Communication System)
B. Revenue generating system
1. Government systems (Online Building Permit System, Business Permit and Licensing System, Real Property Tax and Assessment System, Market Management System, Social Services Distribution Management System, and other e-Gov revenue generating systems)
2. Non-government systems (Bills Payment Systems, City Riders Module, Online Marketplace, Looking for App, Entertainment, Advertisement, and Money Remittance)
    As for outsourcing, the ordinance cites Republic Act No. 8792 otherwise known as the Electronic Commerce Act which states in part that “it is the primary responsibility of the private sector in contributing investments, research and development, and services in ICT.”
    Furthermore, Section 3 of the same Act states that the development of electronic commerce shall be led primarily by the private sectors in response to the market forces and that the government will create an environment that is conducive to private sector investment in information technologies.
As for funding, the ordinance stated that it shall be sourced out from the general fund under the budget of the City Mayor’s Office.
    All government offices and institutions, business and commercial establishments, private offices, schools, sports and recreational centers, and transport operators’ facilities shall be urged to promote and encourage the adoption of these online systems. 
    One technical working group (TWG) for the DIBRR and one for the online payment transaction one-stop-shop government services shall be created to ensure the successful implementation of these online systems.
    The ordinance also has provisions on confidentiality, terms and conditions, obligations of the city government and the service providers, qualifications of the service providers, and ownership of applications.
    The ordinance has been transmitted to the City Mayor’s Office to be signed by the chief executive before it takes effect. -Jordan G. Habbiling