Davao City’s Leap Towards a Greener Future: Digitalizing the Sangguniang Panlungsod

October 4, 2023

DAVAO CITY – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Davao City is embarking on a journey towards sustainability. On Wednesday, it was confirmed that the council’s operations would undergo a significant digital transformation following the final approval of the “Less Paper Session System.”

Councilor Bonz Andrei Militar, the Information Technology Committee chairperson, emphasized the numerous benefits this shift would bring. He believes that transitioning to a digital platform will expedite the formulation of local regulations. Moreover, it paves the way for a substantial reduction in paper consumption during regular meetings.

“The previous approach relied heavily on manual paper processes. Remarkably, every council session required almost 70 reams of paper. With this new ordinance, that number will drop drastically to just five reams,” Militar stated.

The full integration of this digital approach is anticipated by early next year. Necessary electronic equipment and systems are slated for procurement to facilitate this change.

Being the main proponent of the Less Paper System Ordinance, Militar underscored that this move aligns seamlessly with the local administration’s commitment to harness technology. This forward-thinking initiative aims to optimize processes and make public service delivery more efficient and user-friendly.

The councillor elaborated, “Our vision is a scenario where committee notes, attachment files, and all session-related documents are completely paper-free.”

A crucial part of this digital transformation involves enhancing the SP’s Legislative Information Support System (LISS). Upgrades will include introducing cloud storage capabilities, a state-of-the-art firewall, and equipping it with the latest hardware and software tools.

Ensuring data integrity and protection is paramount. Militar reassured citizens that robust security protocols will be in place to ward off potential data threats.

In an effort to promote transparency, the revamped LISS cloud storage will be made accessible to the public, enabling them to review session records anytime.

For additional information and further reading, refer to the original article here.