It is to be expected that many Loal Government Units sitting at the heart of distant provinces still employ the tried-and-true methods of manual, pen-and-paper approach to processing various documents or applications involved in the services defined by their respective Citizen’s Charters. Far from the technological marvels of the big cities, LGUs simply cope with the existing system not out of refusal to harness new technologies but because of the sheer lack of resources and the supposedly imposing level of difficulty to adapt to the new system. The Local Government Unit of Castillejos is no different. However, it has effectively made strides to elevate its services, slowly, to national standards thanks largely to the efforts of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
Last year, the DICT and public officials of Castillejos launched the Tech4Ed eLearning Center and hosted the Rural Impact Sourcing Technical Training (RISTT) program which provided a platform for both aspiring web developers and small local business owners to showcase their trade online. The Free Wifi Internet Access Project, Pipol Konek, has also made its way to the Municipal Park providing free WiFi access to the public. Most recently, the DICT conducted a users’ training for the electronic Business Permits and Licensing System (eBPLS) Project.
The eBPLS, set to be launched this year on the Municipality of Castillejos, automates the Business Permit application process providing a more organized and efficient approach to the service. Processing of each application, from computation of fees to the generation of the permit, will be purely online. Applicants are also given the option to apply and pay online foregoing the usual hassle of a walk-in applicant. In preparation for this new system, representatives from the endorsing offices and the Business Permit Licensing Officer, Mr. Randy Enriquez, underwent an extensive three-day training conducted by Ms. Mayel Bermas and Sir Jeff Lazaro from the DICT from March 11 to March 13 at the Tech4Ed Learning Center.