• Home
• GOVERNMENT CXO
• E-GOVERNMENT
• CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT
• TAX AND REVENUE MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT
• GREEN GOVERNMENT
• GOVERNMENT DATA MANAGEMENT
• GOVERNMENT SECURITY
• GOVERNMENT CLOUD
• GOVERNMENT ANALYTICS
• GOVERNMENT GIS
• CONNECTED GOVERNMENT
• DIGITAL INCLUSION
• EDUCATION IT
• HEALTHCARE IT

Connected Government, E-Government, Tax and Revenue Management

IT helps Philippine city increase revenue by 15 per cent

By Pia Rufino | 2 March 2011

The computerisation programme of the Municipality of Tagudin Ilocos Sur —e-Tagudin—has helped increased the town’s revenue and speed up local government services, according to its mayor.

The electronic business permits and licensing system (e-BPLS), one of the components of e-Tagudin has recorded more than 15 per cent increase in revenue amounting to Php374, 000 (US$8421).

The e-BPLS also got a high level of public satisfaction since the processing time has been reduced to five minutes from 20 minutes, Mayor Roque Verzosa Jr. told Futuregov Asia Pacific Magazine.

Verzosa said the municipality recognises the role of IT in generating additional revenues and streamlining processes. He also said IT is an effective tool to combat red tape, promote transparency and ultimately deliver quality public service.

The programme will also modernise and expand the three major sources of local revenue in Tagudin – including two markets and the Municipal Cemetery.

The e-Tagudin programme has provided wired and wireless connectivity to the Municipal Hall. Electronic National Government Accounting System has also been installed in the Municipal Government’s network.

Mayor said all offices in the Municipal hall are already provided with computers and laptop with internet connectivity.

e-Tagudin also includes the Computerisation of Market Transactions.

“We’re really happy because we can see the difference from the traditional way of collections of the payments of the vendor,” says Verzosa. “Now I can see the payments and non-payments daily, it will boost our economic development in terms of payments of the vendors in the market.”

Mobile IT Van was also created under e-Tagudin programme to teach basic computer literacy skills in all 43 barangays (villages). To date, there are 183 beneficiaries of the Computer Literacy Programme.

Verzosa said all project components are all designed to maximise local revenues and the potentials of the local economy through efficient and effective information management technologies.

He said some of the challenges in running the e-Tagudin project includes limited funds, human resources and IT infrastructure; however, these have been managed through strong political will and participative governance.

---