BACOLOD City — The local government here is pushing to digitalize the operations of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to achieve more seamless, efficient, and transparent governance.
Councilor Em Ang has proposed an ordinance that will institutionalize the SP’s transition to digital processes as part of the city’s broader efforts to strengthen e-governance through modern technology. A public hearing was conducted last week after the measure passed its first reading.
During the hearing, a recommendation was raised to provide specialized training for technical staff to enhance their skills and readiness for the shift to digital operations.
The session brought together representatives from the Management Information Technology and Computer Services (MITCS), City Budget Office, City Legal Office, members of the council, and various key city departments.
These initiatives underscore the city government’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and innovation in public service.
“The proposed ordinance underscores the city’s commitment to efficient and sustainable governance through digital transformation—by reducing paper use, facilitating faster record retrieval, and improving inter-office coordination,” Ang explained.
Aside from digitalizing legislative procedures, the councilor also proposed the formal adoption of online streaming for all regular and special SP sessions, a practice already implemented informally for more than four years.
“We have been conducting live streaming for more than four years now, even without a formal ordinance. It’s time we institutionalize it so it can be properly funded and our personnel can be adequately trained to handle the broadcast. These are sensitive and important matters that require proper equipment and compliance with our laws,” Ang emphasized.
The proposed measure aims to broaden public access to local governance while ensuring compliance with data privacy and information security standards.
Under the ordinance, the Public Information Office (PIO) will be tasked with overseeing the live broadcasts, ensuring video quality, accessibility, and adherence to data privacy regulations./PN
