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Visayas gears up for BPLS automation: DILG6 hosts coaches’ training on computerization of BPLS

Details: Written by LGOO II Freda Mae L. Sorsano; Category: News and Updates; Published: 21 July 2017; Hits: 105

ILOILO City – Taking steps even further than it did with the streamlining of the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is now continuously pushing for the automation or computerization of the BPLS.

The DILG Regional Office 6 welcomed BPLS advocates from DILG Regions 7, 8 and the Negros Island Region (NIR) as it hosted the recently-concluded Coaches’ Training on the Automation of BPLS for Visayas.
The participants embarked on a 5-day learning event on July 10-14, 2017 at SmallVille21 Hotel, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, which aimed to enhance their knowledge and skills on the automation of the BPLS.

BPLS is a strategy that reduced the number of steps, application forms, signatures and number of days required to process business permits. The automation of BPLS aims to further simplify the business licensing process by enabling business owners and enthusiasts to conveniently process their business permits at any place, as long as they have access to the internet.
The coaches’ training was attended by BPLS Focal Persons from the DILG and DICT Regions 6, 7, 8 and NIR, as well as representatives from the academe, private sector, and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). The activity produced 40 coaches trained on the BPLS Automation and they were expected to mentor target LGUs in their region.

BPLS experts from the central offices of the Bureau of Local Government Development (BLGD) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) travelled to the Visayas to coach the participants on the automation.

To further facilitate their learning, the participants were oriented on a wide-range of BPLS-related topics: from basic BPLS concepts to the actual use of the BPLS software. The last 3 days of the orientation were dedicated to expose the coaches to the actual BPLS software and on how to process sample business transactions. Armed with their laptops, the participants were guided on the step-by-step method of navigating the software, including its platform and features.

At the end of the activity, the participants came up with their Action Plans on how to go about the championing and implementation of the BPLS Automation in their respective regions. As coaches, they are expected to share their learnings to LGUs in their area of responsibility and encourage them to implement the automation of the BPLS program.

The DILG advocates BPLS with the hope of improving the business climate in the Visayas, said Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, Regional Director of DILG Region 6.

“We have noted that there was a significant improvement in the business climate here in Western Visayas because of the numerous advocacies supporting ease of doing business. With the BPLS Automation, we are looking forward to attracting even more people to venture into business or maintain those they already own,” shared Nuyda. (LGOO II Freda Mae L. Sorsano, DILG6)

Beneficiaries of AFP soldier killed in Marawi to receive financial assistance from DILG

Details: Written by LGOO II Judy Mae Magdato; Category: News and Updates; Published: 18 July 2017; Hits: 185

CULASI, Antique - The bereaved family of Sgt. Cris Yap Lorenzo of Brgy., Camansijan, Culasi, Antique was visited by DILG personnel together with Culasi Municipal Mayor Jose Jeffrey E. Lomugdang last July 4, 2017 to discuss the comprehensive social benefits program for AFP soldiers who were killed in action. Sgt. Lorenzo was killed during the military operations in Marawi last June 26, 2017.

As per memo by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed by former Secretary Ismael D. Sueno, the DILG and the Department of the National Defense (DND) will jointly lead in the implementation of the comprehensive social benefits program in collaboration with other implementing agencies in response to President Duterte’s recurring directives in cognizance of the dedication and service of the police and soldiers to the country.

The government will provide financial assistance of up to P500,000 and other benefits for police officers and soldiers killed or wounded in action or operations. The Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP) for Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel killed or wounded in action was rolled out by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of National Defense (DND), in cooperation with the Office of the President (OP) and supporting agencies. The first tranche of P250,000 (killed in action) shall be given upon completion of required documents and the other half shall be released upon completion of required trainings or submission of livelihood project proposals.

The DILG shall organize the conduct of required trainings by the BSP, TESDA, DTI and DOLE. A home visitation will be conducted by the DSWD to the beneficiaries to assess their socio-economic condition and identify appropriate livelihood projects. The DILG will coordinate with the beneficiaries and NGAs to assist them for employment in local government units and other NGAs. Mayor Lomugdang also agreed to hire one of the siblings of Sgt. Lorenzo in the local government unit of Culasi for any available qualified position.

Those wounded in action or operation with total permanent physical disability will get P250,000. Those with major and minor injuries will get P100,000.

The beneficiaries of Sgt. Lorenzo will also get shelter assistance in a form of a housing unit grant or construction of new house in own lot or house repair; health care assistance through coverage of premiums of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth); maintenance medicines provided by the Department of Health for qualified beneficiaries of those killed or wounded; and educational assistance through annual stipends for other beneficiaries not covered by existing programs or scholarship through SUCs. (LGOO II Judy Mae Magdato, DILG6-Antique)

DILG conducts provincial alliance building in Antique

Details: Written by LGOO II Judy Mae Magdato; Category: News and Updates; Published: 18 July 2017; Hits: 107

SAN JOSE, Antique - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Antique recently conducted the Provincial Alliance Building at the Tuburan sang Kabuhi Training Center, San Jose, Antique held last June 29-30, 2017 to establish an alliance between the provincial government and the municipalities of the Antique and to identify specific areas of cooperation. This two-day activity became a venue to discuss development issues at the provincial level and promote collaboration among local government units by having a systematic means of identifying areas of convergence.

In attendance were the Municipal Planning and Development Coordinators (MPDCS), Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs), Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator (PPDC) Julie Cepe and Municipal Mayors of nine municipalities to wit: Sebaste, Barbaza, Tibiao, Belison, San Jose, Valderrama, Tobias Fornier, Sibalom and Culasi.

“We want to see a strong alliance between the provincial government and the municipalities of Antique”, said Mayor of the Municipality of San Jose, Elmer Untaran during his opening remarks. DILG PD Victorio Pagapulan added “We hope to settle bad politics in favor of our constitutents. If we can transcend our political interests, we can better serve the Antiqueños”.

The Province of Antique is the first province to conduct the Provincial Alliance Building in Region 6 according to DILG LGCDD Chief Roselyn Quintana. It is the third essential component of the Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Program. The NEO consisting of three parts, is intended to capacitate LGUs in formulating a term based development roadmap that is anchored on the national agenda. The participants were expected to build collaboration in crafting an inclusive and strategic Provincial Development and Physical Framework Plan (PDPFP). They were grouped into clusters and came up with common development priority projects to be included in the PDPFP.

PPDC Juliana Cepe, in her presentation of the provincial situationer, vision, mission and challenges said that one of the main economic driver in the province is tourism. Aulynn Yue-Sin as the lead facilitator guided the participants in each module to harmonize local plans and align the projects, programs and activities of the local government units to the Province’s mission and vision.

Cepe assured the participants that the list of priority projects, as an output of this activity, will be included in the PDPFP as long as it fits the criteria. Considering that the funds are limited, projects with the utmost urgency will be considered and the projects should complement each other in resolving a certain issue. Cepe asked the commitment of the participants to help them package project proposals for projects that the provincial government cannot fund for external sourcing of funds.

Issues were raised and queries were made by the participants after each module. Some of the issues discussed are the following, (1) Local Chief Executives power over the prioritization of programs and projects; (2) conflict between municipal and provincial ordinance; (3) COA audit issues on funding of programs and projects; (4) sustainability of the projects; (5) double funding by other NGAs; (6) effects of access roads to insurgency issues, (7) realignment of projects and (8) direct transfer of funds to barangays without the informing the LGU. The facilitators were able to answer the queries and provided recommendations for further improvement.

This activity brought the LGUs together with common needs and similar passion and they were able to support and complement each other to push for priority projects as one for the development of the province. (LGOO II Judy Mae Magdato, DILG6-Antique)