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By tapping modern telecommunications technology provided by Globe Telecom, it is now easier for the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to get the pulse of the people insofar as the delivery of barangay services and accountability of local government units (LGUs) are concerned.
Through the Anti-Red Tape Act Survey of DILG via the National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO)and Globe which was implemented by the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy (PCCED) six month ago, it showed that technology plays a key role in linking barangay leaders with their constituents.
The pilot study utilized Delph.io, a survey tool developed by Globe Telecom’s wholly-owned subsidiary Kickstart Ventures, Inc.. Questionnaires were sent out to 1,000 recipients of Globe SIM cards nationwide who were identified by DILG. The survey questions centered on the responsiveness of local government units and the general public awareness on the existence of services delivered by their local governments.
“We were able to reach almost 400 respondents for the DILG-ARTA survey within a few hours. By using technology, we were able to shorten the survey process and make information-gathering more efficient,” shared Reynald Trillana, Executive Director, PCCED. The project results provide DILG with valuable information on the actual performance of barangays to ensure that they are delivering services with efficiency and effectiveness.
“By sharing innovative information communications technology (ICT) solutions such Delph.io and the Globe BridgeCom SIM card which provides a less expensive means of communication with DILG, Globe is able to help ordinary citizens have their voices heard and aid in improving transparency and accountability towards good governance,” said Yoly C. Crisanto, Head for Globe Corporate Communications.
Based on the survey, 99% of the 376 respondents expressed awareness on the existence of a Citizen’s Charter in their barangay. The same number was also able to avail of the services being offered in their respective localities.
With such high ratings, it was not surprising that 96% of the participants rated the performance of their barangays as passed. The survey also revealed that 70% of the participants believe that governance is an important factor in improving the services of the barangays while 13% answered that budget-related issues should be considered in making the service much better.
In 2012, DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero also expressed support for the programs implemented by Globe and the PCCED. “Technology can pave the way for good governance initiatives such as these. Let’s also explore other ways in which we can use technology for other DILG-led projects,” said Panadero.
Globe through its corporate social responsibility arm, Globe Bridging Communities, is very active in promoting good governance. Thus, aside from ARTA, BridgeCom also brought Barangay Rule of Law Seminars (BRLS) to Northern, Central and Southern Luzon and in the Visayas to train barangay leaders as conflict mediators and to give them guidance on how to uphold the barangay justice system in their respective communities. Globe also supported the United Nations-led project, Tingog 2015, by providing an SMS-based citizen feedback which enables citizens to report on maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition services using the short code 2015 through their mobile phones.
Other Globe projects which promote good governance include “Sagot ka ni Kap”, an ongoing program which empowers barangay watchers with mobile communication tools for improved vigilance and support for online portal, Tao Po!, which promotes active citizenship and accountability by allowing readers to articulate their experiences and post solutions to governance-related issues.
