30 March 2023, Manila – LGU Maramag emerged as a National Winner (1st Place) during the Awards Ceremony of the 10th Edition of the Digital Governance Awards CY 2022, showcasing its e-Mapping Digitization Program under the Customer Empowerment (G2C) Award, Municipality Category. The DGA is a national program aimed to improve the delivery of public services, increase transparency, and enhance the decision-making process in the municipality. The Digital Governance Awards 2022 received a total of 103 distinct initial applications and 94 final entries, in line with the DGA’s objective of promoting ongoing advancement of innovative information and communication technology (ICT) initiatives throughout the country. Following the preliminary screening and final interview conducted by the National Screening Panel, Maramag was selected as one of the National Finalists.

The e-Mapping Digitization Program is a web-based geographic information system (GIS) platform that allows LGU Maramag to capture, store, manage, analyze, and display various types of spatial data. The program integrates data from different sources, such as satellite images, GPS devices, and survey questionnaires, to create accurate and up-to-date maps of the municipality.

One of the main benefits of the e-Mapping Digitization Program is its ability to improve the delivery of public services. With the help of the GIS platform, LGU Maramag is able to identify the areas that require immediate attention, such as those that are prone to flooding, landslides, or other natural disasters. The platform also enables the LGU to track the progress of different projects and programs, ensuring that they are implemented in a timely and efficient manner.

Moreover, the e-Mapping Digitization Program increases transparency in the municipality. The platform allows citizens to access information on various aspects of the municipality, such as land use, zoning regulations, infrastructure projects, and other important data. This enables citizens to have a better understanding of how their local government operates, and helps to build trust and confidence in the government.

Another key benefit of the e-Mapping Digitization Program is that it enhances the decision-making process in the municipality. The platform provides LGU Maramag with a wealth of information that can be used to make informed decisions on various issues, such as urban planning, disaster management, and environmental protection. The platform also enables the LGU to monitor and evaluate the impact of different policies and programs, ensuring that they are aligned with the municipality’s goals and objectives.

Overall, LGU Maramag’s e-Mapping Digitization Program is a great example of how technology can be used to improve governance and enhance public services. The program has already shown significant benefits for the municipality, and its participation in the 2022 Digital Governance Awards is a testament to its commitment to excellence in digital governance. With its continued efforts to innovate and improve, LGU Maramag is sure to inspire other local governments in the Philippines and beyond to embrace digital technologies and transform the way they serve their citizens.

The Digital Governance Awards (DGA) is an annual recognition program organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP). The DGA aims to recognize local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines that have effectively implemented ICT solutions to improve public service delivery and governance.

From the desk of:

OSCAR S. NAVACILLA
Information Officer III