In 2000, the national government through Presidential Executive Order 265 has approved and adopted the Government Information System Plan, (GISP). The GISP provides a framework and guides for all computerization efforts in government. As in the section Government Development Objectives and Governance Reform Initiatives of GISP, item number five (5) states; “With the government thrust to continue e
mpowering local government units within the principles advocated in the devolution program, there is a need to speed up the building of LGU capacity to effectively assume increasing responsibilities. One of the fundamental requirements to improve LGU capacity is the provision of information systems support for core business and regulatory functions, particularly in the areas of regulation and revenue generation." The GISP further asserts that government information systems would and should reduce the processing and approval time of government transactions with the public; electronically organize and store vital data information for easy retrieval or updating; processing and sharing with government monitoring or statistical agencies; and ensure greater transparency, accountability, and integrity of government operations and transaction, (GISP page 24, No. 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 under 1.0 Mission-Critical Frontline Services Information Systems). Local government information systems are common mission-critical business processes that include revenue administration and business licensing operations of LGUs… The specific mission-critical LGU information systems for LGUs that are identified for priority development will include LGU Business Licensing, LGU Real Estate Tax Mapping and Revenue Collection, and Financial Management.”
In Iloilo City, the automation of its office operations has been rapidly growing in the past few years and the need for an office responsible for maintaining and sustaining these automation systems has been realized as its scope continuously grows. Since 2001, this is being handled by the office of the Executive Assistant for IT where more than two hundred requests pertaining to IT operations are being addressed annually; from system configuration and installation, hardware repairs, cabled and wireless network installation and configuration, desktop publishing, visual graphics concept, and design, video and image processing and duplication, website development and maintenance, systems housekeeping, systems analysis and IT project consultations, and many others. In 2006, the Iloilo City Local Government Unit initiated its first major IT project, the automation of the office operations of its income-generating offices, specifically the Business Permits and Licensing Division, the City Assessors’ Office, and portions of the City Treasurers’ Office involved in the collection of Business and Real Property Taxes. Overall, the Iloilo City Local Government Unit has taken significant steps in its implementation of office automation in its operations. It complies with the GISP and foresees further continuous enhancement to its current Real Property Tax Administration, Business Tax Enhancement Program, and the Treasurers’ Offices’ Real Property and Business Tax Collection Modules. It is also anticipated that Geographical Information Systems (GIS) will be integrated into the current system of the government in for use of the Assessors’ Office, the City Planning and Development Office, the City Engineers’ Office, and various other offices that deem its use necessary in their operations. Through the implementation of these office automation systems, the Iloilo City LGU is expected to continually and gradually increase its revenue collection, improve collection efficiency, total quality and efficient service to taxpayers, improved records management, streamlined operations, and readily available and reliable information. All these would translate to better delivery of basic services and additional resources for more programs and projects for the Ilonggos that would help alleviate poverty and further progress and development in the city. Regulation Ordinance 2014-448 created the Information Technology System Division Creating one (1) Information Technology Officer II (SG-22), one (1) Information Systems Analyst (SG-16), and one (1) Computer Programmer I (SG-11) to complement the existing IT personnel under the City Mayor's Office. With the growing demands in IT and its vision to become a Smart City of Excellence, Regulation Ordinance No. 2017-059 instituted the Information System Department, creating more positions for the department including the City Government Assistant Department Head II (SG-24). However, many people cannot appreciate the role and importance of IT in an organization. So in 2022, by virtue of Regulation Ordinance No. 2022-021, the position of City Government Assistant Department Head II was abolished to pave the way for the creation of one (1) Development Management Officer III (SG-18), and two (2) Development Officers II (SG-15) under the newly-created LEDIPO. Therefore, ISO no longer exists; we are Ghost Recon - a figment of your imagination. We perform voluntary tasks, initiate the development of in-house programs and systems which we deem vital to the operations of the Iloilo City Government. The office was abolished and no Division or Section was ever created. We are neither ISO nor IT. But we perform and we deliver quality service and system to the City Government much more than those mandated offices.
