Regional Updates

Manila City gov’t to penalize offices that fail to automate transactions

THE CITY of Manila is automating government transactions and digitizing all transactional documents in all its offices as part of its pandemic-response efforts. The local government passed an ordinance on June 14 establishing the automation of transactions through the internet and the digitization of transactional documents in all departments, offices, bureaus, and agencies under the city government. All units covered are required to establish an automated or online process of conducting official transactions. Digitized transactional documents should be “deemed to possess and retain the exact integrity of original transactional documents in physical paper form” and should “possess the same value and binding effect,” according to the city ordinance. Failure to comply with the ordinance’s provisions will result in fines ranging from P2,000 to P3,000. Aside from failure to comply with the required automation and digitization of transactions, the ordinance also penalizes theft, deletion, substitution or alteration of transactional documents, and the unauthorized transmission or sharing of digitized transactional documents. In a statement in April, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said cities and municipalities were directed to transition to an electronic business one-stop-shop. The DICT said the online portal’s functions must include online or electronic submission of application; electronic issuance of tax bill or order of payment; online payments; and issuance of electronic versions of permits, licenses, and clearances; among others. — Arjay L. Balinbin