BOTH national and local governments should adopt smart solutions and invest in emerging technologies to deal with risks such as climate change, natural hazards, and the COVID-19 pandemic. The rising population and rapid urbanization demand the adoption of more process, product, organizational, and communication innovations, and smart reforms to address environmental concerns, socioeconomic problems, and other related issues.
For local governments, the provision of critical services to the public, particularly in the sectors of public health, agriculture, and social welfare, requires smart solutions that can provide digital avenues for health consultation, agricultural extension and research, and social protection and monitoring. While there has been progress in the country’s digital governance indices in recent years, particularly on e-participation, e-government, online service, and e-infrastructure, human capital index is an area for improvement.
Despite this weakness, some local governments have adopted e-governance platforms to improve public safety and service delivery. The establishment of the Public Safety and Security Command Centre (PSSCC) in Davao City is a good example of applying ICT infrastructure and innovation in local governance. The PSSCC uses an array of technological tools, including a city-wide CCTV surveillance system and real-time data mapped out in GIS to maintain peace and order and respond to emergencies and calamities quickly. Most cities in Metro Manila also employ smart ICT innovations through their respective command centers. Real-time closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring are also present in most areas of the city. As most agencies in the executive branch have their versions of ICT-based command facilities, digital sharing and integration of systems is essential, while taking into consideration security and data privacy issues. To harmonize and ensure interoperability among ICT-related resources, programs, and projects across government, the Department of Information and Communications Technology is fine-tuning the E-Government Masterplan 2022. This aims to enhance organizational and inter-governmental coordination, and address personnel and capability issues in utilizing ICTs for more efficient operations, public service delivery, and support business to perform more effectively.
In the ASEAN region, Singapore is famous for its “Smart Nation”, which promotes digital innovation and technology to achieve growth and sustainability. Their experience in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2003-2004 served as the foundation for the COVID-19 pandemic response.
South Korea also used smart governance to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. The government installed an IT-based protocol using ICT devices to aid in contact tracing procedures.
For the Philippines to achieve smart governance through smart cities like these countries, the government must develop the human capital alongside the physical infrastructure, as smart approaches rely on investments on both hard and soft infrastructures.
