Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila %

RECEIVED A
wre 03 JUL m8

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL NOLZ84_

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines is gearing for transition to its present status to digitalization through the
e-governance policy. However, there is a need to transform, enhance and highlight the
importance of an IT Department for each local government unit to handle the
digitalization platform and requirements of the local government units and harmonize it
with the policy thrust of the national government in terms of sustainable, inclusive, and
readiness to emerging technologies.

The recent passage of the E-Governance Act by the 19th Congress affirms the State's
commitment to a digitally empowered, citizen-centered, and efficient bureaucracy.
To fully realize this national goal at the grassroots level, Local Government Units
(LGUs) must be institutionally ready to plan, implement, and secure digital systems and
services.

Currently, many LGUs lack dedicated IT units, leaving them unprepared to implement
key initiatives such as the eLGU System, Electronic Frontline Services, and Local
Government Integration with the Integrated Government Network (IGN). This bill
mandates the creation of permanent Information Technology (IT) Departments
across all LGUs to lead local digital transformation efforts.

It provides the general structure and framework of the IT Office for every local
government unit. _ It also provides the qualification standards for personnel in the IT
Department and how the _ skilled certifications from DICT and reputable third
party stakeholders will be recognized by the —_Civil Service Commission in lieu of a
license or a civil service eligibility.

The national government ought to provide the initialization of the digitalization initiatives
through a funding assistance to local government units to create these offices, provide
for necessary hardware and software equipment, trainings, and other necessary
requirement.

This measure is consistent with the E-Governance Act, and ensures LGUs are
capacitated, professionalized, and compliant with national digital governance

standards.

Your support to the immediate passage of this bill will b&Xtighly appreciated.

JURDIN |. ROMUALDO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1234

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE JURDIN JESUS M. ROMUALDO

AN ACT
MANDATING THE CREATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT)
DEPARTMENTS IN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS, DEFINING ITS
FUNCTIONS, STANDARDIZING QUALIFICATIONS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS:
THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

CHAPTER |: GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Local Government IT
Department Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to institutionalize
digital transformation at all levels of government. This is in line with the E-
Governance thrust of the National Government that mandates the creation of IT
Departments in LGUs to support local implementation of national digitalization efforts,
promote interoperability, and enable efficient, secure, and citizen-focused service
delivery.

Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all provinces, cities, municipaities,
and highly urbanized barangays in the Philippines.

CHAPTER Il: IT DEPARTMENT


Sec. 4. Mandatory Establishment of Information Technology (IT)
Departments. - All LGUs covered by this Act shall establish a permanent
Information Technology Department within their regular organizational structure,
subject to classification and standards set by the law.

Sec. 5. Functions of the IT Department. — The IT Department shall be responsible
for:

a) Network Administration

b) Programming

c) Cybersecurity

d) Data Management

e) Hardware and Software Management
f) General Administration

Sec. 6. Organizational Structure, Staffing, and Qualifications. — The IT
Department shall be headed by a Chief Information Officer (CIO) or equivalent official
with a salary grade level of 26, and with qualifications as follows:

a) Licensed Electronics and Communications Engineer (ECE);

b) Possesses at least five (5) years relevant work experience and training in
systems development, cybersecurity, and digital governance; and

c) Has passed the IT Proficiency Examination, to be administered by the CSC in
coordination with DICT.

The primary sections shall be headed by an IT professional with a salary grade
level of 24 and shall be supported by three (3) skilled professionals that are graduates
of Information and Communications Technology, Communications Science and other
related fields

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) shall
submit to the Department of Budget and Management its proposed staffing pattern
and shall include and upgrade it in the Index of Occupational Services, Occupational
Groups, Classes and Salary Grades for reference in its hiring requirements.

The DICT shall also coordinate closely with the Civil Service Commission for the
relevant accreditation of skilled examinations and certifications issued by DICT and
third party stakeholders as basis of allowing these skilled workers to work in the
government in the absence of a civil service eligibility.

Sec. 7. Budgetary Requirements. — The appropriations necessary for the
digitalization efforts of every local government unit in the country shall be included in
the menu of the DBM under the Local Government Support Fund as Assistance to
Local Government Units for the next three (3) years and thereafter, be included in the
LGU’s Annual Budget and Annual Procurement Plan.


Sec. 8. Technical Support and Capacity Development. - The DICT shall
provide technical assistance, access to capacity-building programs, and support for
IT Department personnel of the local government units through the ICT Academy
established under the E-Governance Act. LGUs may enter into partnerships with
public or private entities for upskilling, training, and technology deployment.

The DICT in coordination with the DILG, League of Provinces of the Philippines,
League of Cities and League of Municipalities shall ensure that all LGU IT equipment
are duly certified by the DICT and procurement of data programming equipment,
hardware equipment and software applications including annual subscriptions but not
confiend to cybersecurity risk and emerging threats shall be covered under the
respective LGU's annual procurement plan, after the expiration of the three-year
period assistance of the national government after the approval of this Act as
provided herein in the succeeding section.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the DICT, DBM, CSC, and DILG shall create a technical
working group to promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for its
effective implementation, harmonizing it with the E-Governance.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected and shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,