Research Assignment on

The Extent of E-government Implementation in the Philippines

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Master in Public Administration

Submitted to:

Dr. Nenita Cuevas

By:
May E. Escalona
Introduction

E-Government has become a popular focus of government efforts in many

countries around the world. Properly designed and implemented, e-Government can
improve efficiency in the delivery of government services, simplify compliance with
government regulations, strengthen citizen participation and trust in government, and
yield cost savings for citizens, businesses and the government itself. Not surprisingly,
therefore, policymakers and managers are looking to adopt e-Government in countries
around the world - ranging from the most developed to the least developed.

In the Philippines, efforts to integrate E-Government as a key lever in

development started two decades ago. Over the years, innovative E-Government
projects and programs were pursued to improve the delivery of public services.
However, the continuity of reforms was hampered by the absence of a top-level agency
that is formally dedicated to govern and oversee ICT policies and programs. In the
past, every transition to a new administration results in a change in the office
designated to steer E-Government implementation. In 2016, a law was passed creating
the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) as the primary
policy, planning, and administrative entity that will promote the national ICT
development agenda. It has the mandate to provide an integrated framework to
optimize all government ICT resources and networks for the prioritization of E-
Government systems and applications. The establishment of the DICT represents a
policy milestone in the evolution of E-Government in the Philippines. It provides an
institutional anchor for mainstreaming E-Government innovations. Given the
responsibility to ensure the provision of ICT infrastructures and systems as
instruments of good governance and global competitiveness, the new agency can
benefit from benchmarking with international measures of E-Government.
Extent of E-government Implementation in the Philippines

The Philippines is on track towards the full integration of e-government systems by

2022 as key agencies push to become more digital.

In its 2018 E-Government Survey, the United Nations (UN) assessed the Philippines as
having a “high” E-Government Development Index (EGDI), a measure of a country’s e-
government capacity.

The EGDI takes into account three sub-indices, such as the online service index (OSI),
in which the Philippines scored “very high,” the telecommunications infrastructure
index and the human capital index.

The UN reported that in most of the countries with a high EGDI and very high OSI,
like the Philippines, the “human capital development indices are quite high, but
telecommunications infrastructure is unevenly developed, resulting in lower EGDI
scores despite having relatively advanced levels of online services delivery.”

In the same report, the United Nations also highlighted the need for a comprehensive
e-government master plan to ensure system continuity across all agencies and to
protect the public’s data and privacy.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the lead

agency in promoting e-governance, is developing an integrated government portal,
which will allow the public to avail of various government services by accessing a
single website.

DICT is developing a government portal. In this platform, citizens can access all
government websites. This is an integrated government portal that citizens can access,
where they can see the different government agencies that offer online services.

The government portal is still undergoing pilot testing for the connectivity of online
services provided by major government agencies and DICT sees the integration of
major government websites and local governments, down to the community level, by
2022.

The DICT can also assist even government agencies that don’t have online services to
create their own website with online services capabilities, through this platform. This
portal will include all agencies down to the barangay.

The Department of Finance (DoF), whose agencies are largely concerned with the
management of revenue collection, included a digital transformation strategy in RA
11063, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.
Online Government Services in the Philippines

Nowadays, almost everything can be done with just one tap of a finger, and the
services provided by the Philippine government aren’t an exception to that. Most
Filipinos have gotten used to going to government agencies early in a day; otherwise,
risk being a foot deep in line to acquire the service they need. Fortunately, for a couple
of years now, the various government agencies have started offering their services
online as well, for the ease and convenience of Filipinos.

SSS

On the Social Security Systems (SSS) website, individuals can not only register
for membership but also pay their contributions and loan repayments. Under the
My.SSS tab, members can check their membership, contributions, as well as request
copies of their records. There is also a member-exclusive forum where individuals can
discuss SSS-related issues.
GSIS

GSIS members can check their records through the agency’s eGSISMO portal.
Under the feature, members can also view their files of loans and claims and also see
the tentative computation of their social insurance benefits, and loanable amount.

BIR
 The BIR’s eServices portal covers several services, such as taxpayer registration,
electronic filing of tax returns, and payment channels for taxpayers. There are also
other services such as an eComplaint system, imprinting or affixing secured taxable
documents, online accreditation of business machines, and more.

Pag-IBIG

Membership registration, employer registration, OFW member’s contributions

verification, and a Kasambahay Unified Registration, are some of the things that can
be done on the Pag-IBIG Fund’s online services portal. Through the website, members
can also apply for a housing loan, verify their housing loan payment, pay for savings
or loans, and submit monthly remittance files, among others.

PhilHealth
 On the My PhilHealth Portal, registration can be done individually or by a
group. Once becoming a member, one can check their membership details, read the
information on PhilHealth’s benefits, and ascertain the benefits eligible to them.
PhilHealth also allows employers to remit contributions online and enables individuals
to view a complete list of health care institutions accredited by the agency.

NBI Clearance

Application and renewal are the two primary services under NBI’s online portal.
First-time users may fill-up and submit an application form, set an appointment to
process their NBI clearance, and even pay for the clearance online. Previous applicants
may also log in to the website and renew their NBI clearance.

The only disadvantage or draw back from the new system is it delays you for a
day because of the Scheduling Task as to when to visit your selected NBI Clearance
Outlet where you process your NBI Clearance online application.
PSA Serbilis

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s online facility allows individuals to request

for birth, marriage, and death certificates, and also request for a certificate of no
marriage record. Once a user has sent in a request and paid for it, the PSA will then
mail it to the user’s delivery address.

LTO
 Users may set an appointment at their selected LTO district office via the
agency’s website. The website also offers to check the status of an individual’s MV
license plate, vehicle assessment, and online payments for the services mentioned
above.

DFA Passport Application

Passport applications and renewals can be done via the Department of Foreign
Affairs’ website. Individuals may pick their preferred appointment dates and location
to apply for or renew their passports. The appointment slots do fill up rather quickly,
however.

POEA
 The e-services on POEA’s platform are mostly for those who are aspiring to
become Overseas Filipino Workers. Services include requesting for OFW records,
registration for POEA’s pre-employment orientation seminar, verification of an
agency’s job orders, monitoring of adjudication cases, a Balik-Manggagawa online
processing system, and status verification of recruitment agencies.

DTI

The DTI has a Business Name Registration System (BNRS) where individuals
can register their businesses. Not only that, but existing business owners can also
update their information, renew, cancel, request for certifications, and search
businesses registered under the system.

PhilGEPS
 One of the key online services developed in the country is E-Procurement. The
Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) is an electronic
bulletin board and web portal of government procurement bid notices and awards. It
contains all procurement processes related to bidding, contract agreements, and
payment for supplies and services. The single window system simplifies government
procurement through an Internet-based platform. The system is being redesigned to
achieve transparency in all stages of the process from procurement planning to project
management and contract implementation. The PhilGEPS will be linked with the
Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to
streamline budget and expenditure tracking.

IGovPhil

The Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) Program was launched on 28 June

2012. It seeks to achieve a higher level of e-government, or the application of
information and communications technology (ICT) to rationalize government
operations and improve the delivery of services to the people.

The iGovPhil Program has achieved most of its targets and still committed to provide
the necessary infrastructure, software, and platform needed for e-government.

INFRASTRUCTURE AS A SERVICE

The infrastructure services of iGovPhil include the creation of data centers, cloud
infrastructures and layout of fiber optic networks to interconnect government offices
and provide high-speed communication.

Government Network
The Government Network is designed to interconnect government agencies and
simplify processes to provide fast, secure, efficient, responsive, and transparent online
services. It aims to provide sufficient bandwidth to support the huge volume of traffic
through the use of fiber optic technology.

Three years after its launch, the iGovPhil Program completed the layout of fiber optic
cables in Metro Manila and Cebu, connecting 160 and 15 agencies, respectively. Major
government agencies in Manila and Cebu are now connected to a common wide area
network. To expand the GovNet, installation of fiber optic cables is currently being
implemented in seven regional centers: Tuguegarao, Cagayan Valley; Iloilo City; San
Fernando, Pampanga; Baguio City; Palo, Leyte; Legazpi City, Albay; and Butuan City.

One of the benefits of GovNet is the ability of government employees to connect to the
internet using the wireless facility of any building connected to the network. This is
made possible through Government Roaming. To access, employees just need to
provide their GovNet credentials.

National Government Data Center (NGDC)

The NGDC serves as the launching point for many government services such as cloud
computing, web hosting, server co-location, and other operations. It will optimize ICT
resources and operations and address data security concerns for faster data exchange
and easier collaboration among agencies.

The iGovPhil Program operates two National Government Data Centers (NGDCs) in
Metro Manila. They are fully equipped with the necessary network equipment,
connectivity, and data storage facilities, as well as with cooling, security, power,
monitoring, and fire-protection systems.

The main data center, NGDC1, hosts 12 agencies using 27 racks, while NGDC2 hosts
6 agencies using 10 racks. Another NGDC is being constructed at the Subic Bay
Freeport Zone and is expected to be ready by the end of 2016. An NGDC is also being
considered to be set up in Cebu.

Government Cloud (GovCloud)

Government Cloud is a private cloud for the government that allows agencies to use
secure applications for their various remote computing requirements. It was set up in
small scale in 2013 and was developed initially to support the program’s applications
and other services. Later on, its services were offered to other agencies in need of
cloud computing. Today, GovCloud can now provision virtualized servers, storage, and
network. It hosts 33 agencies using 265 virtual machines and running 98
applications. To expand its GovCloud service, the iGovPhil is procuring a “next
generation cloud,” to host production environment applications and databases, and a
Government Common Platform cloud to host platform applications and services. Both
the NextGen cloud and the GCP cloud are expected to be available by the end of this
year.

Security and PKI

The Security Operation Center of iGovPhil consistently monitors and performs tests to

prevent attacks on government agencies’ websites under Government Web Hosting
Service (GWHS). As an added security measure, iGovPhil also uses the Philippine
National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) to ensure documents are authentic and
secure. The PNPKI allows users of public networks like the internet to share and
exchange data privately and securely through digital certificates. Since its operations,
the PNPKI has already issued digital certificates to 1,475 individuals, 5 organizations,
and 41 machines.

PLATFORM AS A SERVICE

The platform services of iGovPhil provide a framework and a common space for all
shared services and applications. Under this service are the creation of a national
government portal that will serve as a one-stop-shop of government online services
and the establishment of a common repository of data and information that can be
shared among government agencies.

National Government Portal (NGP)

The National Government Portal (NGP) is a single window for all public services. Aside
from providing ease of use and simplified browsing experience, the integration of
websites into a single portal will effectively reduce costs (financial, human resources,
and spatial) for the government. Using the Single Sign-On (SSO), users can log in to
NGP using just a single username and password and have access to various data and
avail of different services without the need for repeated inputs of personal information
and credentials.

Prior to the full implementation of NGP, the Government Web Hosting Service (GWHS)
was established on 12 July 2013, through Administrative Order number 39, as a
preliminary step. The AO39 mandates all government agencies, financial institutions,
government-owned and government-controlled corporations, and inter-agency
collaborations, programs, and projects to transfer their web and domain hosting
requirements to the GWHS for more efficient use of technology and greater protection
against hacking and cyber-attacks.
As of the present, there are 470 government agency websites hosted under the GWHS,
and 76 more are migrating to the server.

Government Common Platform (GCP)

The Government Common Platform (GCP) is a common repository of data and

information that government agencies can access, share, and use to enhance their
operations, efficiency, and services. It aims to harmonize the diverse operations of
government agencies by adopting a whole-of-government systems model that
recognizes the unique and common elements of the agencies.

GCP has also been creating different registries to compile records and data into
common databases for easier access and retrieval of necessary information. These
registries are Persons Registry, Business Registry, Transport Registry, and Land
Registry. Preliminary actions have been done in Persons Registry with more than 50
million birth records already uploaded and made available in the ML Database, and
coordination with other government agencies to get marriage and death are being
done. For Business Registry, 13,000 records were loaded into the database and more
are expected as deals with key government agencies are finalized. For the Transport
Registry, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) has been drafted and for review and
comments of the concerned parties.

eGovernment Framework (eGovFrame)

The eGovFrame is a framework for the implementation and development of

applications. It is composed of standards, design patterns, and libraries containing
modules and tools, for use, maintenance, and reuse in the development of
applications. The main goal of the eGovFrame is to create a rich environment for the
development of software through the deployment of reusable components and unified
standards for programming. It is currently in the development process.

SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE

The software services of iGovPhil include online tools, services, and applications for
use by government agencies and citizens.

PhPay

The PhPay is an online payment system for government transactions. It is an internet-

based middleware that will provide a bookkeeping service to the whole of government
by integrating all government services in a single platform and similarly integrating all
qualified electronic payment facilities that will enable citizens and businesses to pay
for any government transactions online. It renders services through various delivery
channels, which include debit instructions (ATM accounts), credit instructions (credit
cards), and mobile wallets. Policy documents needed to implement this service are
being prepared.

Forms Builder

The Forms Builder is a convenient way of creating online forms for government
agencies. The application allows government agencies to create electronic versions of
their paper-based forms and make them available online. There are 24 current
agencies subscribed to Forms Builder, and 114 forms have been already published.

Gabay Aral

Gabay Aral is an online learning management system (LMS) that enables educators to
collaborate, create and distribute online courses. It is based on Moodle, an open-
sourced system designed to allow educators to create personalized learning
environments.

This system has been adopted by a total of 40 learning institutions and is being
implemented by 245 active users from various state universities and colleges.

Video Conferencing (VideoCon)

The iGovPhil Program offers Vidyo, a video conferencing technology that allows users
to hold live, audio-visual communication from different locations. It is convenient for
government agencies and research institutions because it can be used to hold
meetings that may be one-to-one, one-to-group, or group-to-group.

Government-wide Email System + (GovMail+)

The Government-wide Email System (GovMail) allows government agencies to

communicate officially using their own domain name with the .gov.ph suffix. Prior to
its upgrade, GovMail can only be used as a generic basic email platform. With
GovMail+, the system will be adding features, like video conferencing, voice over IP,
and chat.

Currently, there are 91 government agency clients using GovMail with a total of
25,603 accounts.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

The Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a cost-effective solution developed
to enable quick access to work tools and relevant information, paperless transactions,
and automated workflows within and among teams and functions in the organization.

ERP has its pilot implementation in Department of Science and Technology

institutions, Information and Communications Technology and Advanced Science and
Technology Institution. It contains the following modules: Leave, Daily Time Record,
Pass Slip, Employment Record, Equipment Inventory, Purchase Request, and Request
for Quotation/Invitation to Bid.

Government Project Management Information System (PMGov)

The Government Project Management Information System (PMGov) is an online project

management application that allows proponents to collaborate with all the
stakeholders every step of the way – from initiation to planning and design, execution,
monitoring, evaluation, and closing. There will be a common standard that will enable
the government to track its projects.

There are 10 government agency clients in the Philippines using PMGov to monitor
and update the projects they are handling.

Archives and Records Management Information System (ARMIS)

The Archives and Records Management Information System (ARMIS) is a document

management system for the government. Documents submitted by government
agencies are available for search and retrieval by users authorized or qualified by level.
The general public is also given access to documents classified for public viewing.

ARMIS has the following features and functionalities: (1) Document tracking report per
document; (2) Email notification; (3) Dashboard notification; and (4) Universal
identification for document tracking number. Fourteen agencies are now using this
system.

Agency Records Inventory System (AgRIS)

The Agency Records Inventory System (AgRIS) is a web-enabled list of record series or
titles kept and maintained by government agencies. Instead of filling out spreadsheets
provided by the National Archives of the Philippines (NAP) and sending them through
mail, records officers can update their listings using web browsers. Since NAP has a
remote access on the system, both NAP and the agencies can have a real time updates
on the records inventory.
AgRIS serves as a support databank assisting NAP and the agencies in determining
which record series or sets are to be kept and which are for disposal.

Philippine eGovernment Interoperability Framework (PeGIF)

The Philippine eGovernment Interoperability Framework (PeGIF) addresses not only

the technical issues in using and operating government resources, but also the means
of data exchange, the rules, and agreements on the sharing of information and
knowledge, and policies on interaction among government agencies, citizens, and
businesses.

PeGIF has three interoperability domains: technical, information, and business

process. The technical and information interoperability frameworks are complete,
while the business process interoperability framework is being worked out by a special
working group composed of representatives from government, academe and the private
sector.

Resource Pooling System (RPS)

The objective of RPS is to create a pool of highly-skilled technical human resource to

run the planned NGCP and iGovPhil’s other development projects, such as PeGIF,
eGovFrame, and applications. It is a support initiative and is envisioned to consist of
engineers, scientists, enterprise architects, big data analysts and IT graduates.

Integrated Government Service Center (IGSC)

The IGSC will serve as a one-stop-shop for citizens to access their desired government
services and transact via a web-based common platform. The system will use a
common portal and single sign in for simplified access and operation. It is still in the
initial stage and is designed to work seamlessly, allowing collaboration among and
between agencies and the general public.

Government Solutions Center (GSC)

The GSC, as a collaboration mechanism, allows interaction and synergy between the
private business sector and the government. It is envisioned to direct relevant
products and services of private providers to targeted requirements of government
agencies. As such, it stores and disseminates comprehensive information about IT
solutions.
SUPPORT SERVICES

Managing a highly technical ICT project requires even more people to support it to
ensure that the infrastructure, applications, and systems being built will not be
wasted. Support services for iGovPhil include policy development, technical
documentation, communications, creative, administration and finance.

The policy and technical documentation teams are in charge of drafting and ensuring
accuracy and quality of legal documents, such as memoranda of agreement, special
orders, and contracts, necessary to procure products and services for successful
implementation of the projects.

The communications and creative teams are tasked to produce information, education
and communication materials about the services of iGovPhil for the information and
awareness of client agencies and other stakeholders. They also handle promotion,
correspondence and documentation work for the Program.

The administration and finance team manages all events and facilitate preparation
and processing of administrative and financial documents.

CONCLUSION

Almost everything can be done with just one tap of a finger nowadays, and the
services provided by the Philippine government aren’t an exception to that.

The Philippine government is putting a lot of effort into digital public services.
The government is pushing for innovation, introducing new regulations and programs
and leading numerous projects to bring convenient e-government public services to
the masses.

Online references:

www.gov.ph

https://dict.gov.ph/
https://www.academia.edu/

https://www.bworldonline.com/

https://www.yugatech.com/