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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No.7604

Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE IN EVERY
MUNICIPALITY, CITY, AND PROVINCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has altered how societies work as we know
it. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines, the administration
initially implemented an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). While this
measure was effective in slowing down the virus, it abruptly stopped or slowed down
most of the operations in every sector - causing disruption in education, mass
unemployment, closure of businesses, and inability to deliver some basic social

services, inter alia. We could no longer afford to do this again.

Until a vaccine is created and proven viable to cure COVID-19, everyone must adjust
to a new normal, with social distancing at its core. For government agencies and
instrumentalities, this means shifting to online platforms. Hence, the establishment
of Information Technology (IT) offices in municipalities, cities, and provinces is
essential in order to assure the efficacy of government services during the new

normal.

It is acknowledged that some Local Government Units (LGU) already established far
more advanced systems of IT in their locality, which expectedly yielded positive
results. A fully automated public service transaction for all LGUs is compatible with

the implementation of social distancing, among other benefits that transcends the

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pandemic (i.e. saves time, transportation cost, limits bureaucratic red tape, and

curbs corruption).

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House iit no. 7604

Introduced by HONORABLE WES GATCHALIAN

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OFFICE IN EVERY
MUNICIPALITY, CITY, AND PROVINCE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy - It is hereby declared to be the
policy of the State to recognize the vital role of communication and
information in nation-building. Towards this end, the automation of
information and transactions in all municipality, city and province shall
be organized and made accessible through a database management
system to increase productivity and efficiency in public service.

SEC. 2. Information Technology Office - There shall be established an
Information Technology Office in every municipality, city and province throughout
the country which shall have the following objectives:

a, To provide for the automation and system of electronic data
storage for all information and transactions relating to local
business processes and other matters of public concern;

b. To provide on-time accomplishment reports of all departments,
local advisories and participatory initiatives for local programs;

c. To expedite the processing of alll local transactions;

4. To provide for a technology that will offer online payments for
all local taxes, fees and other assessments;

©. To be equipped with accurate computation of payments;

f To provide for transparency and the effective monitoring of all

information and transactions within the locality concerned;


g. To provide for consistent accessibility of organized information
to the general public as well as provide a venue for
communication with constituents;

h, To provide a productive tool to increase efficiency in local
government service;

i, To equip local government units with a constantly evolving
technology that will be at par with global standards.

SEC. 3. Budget and Implementation - The amount necessary
for the operation and maintenance of the Information Technology Office
in every municipality, city and province shall be charged to the local
funds. The LGU concerned, shall, immediately include in its annual
budget the amount to be defrayed, and, consistent with its allowable
budgetary allocation may seck the technological support of the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the establishment of
the IT Office.

SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this
Act is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity
and effectivity of the other provisions hereof.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations,
other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act,
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette and/or any newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,