Let’s go all-out digital, DILG urges LGUs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday encouraged local government units to use online platforms in government and business transactions to reduce transmission of the coronavirus disease.

“The millions working from home, the students looking forward to on-line learning, and the workers who depend on the digital economy are all expecting the government to address the gaps in our internet infrastructure. We, therefore, encourage all LGUs to beef up their digital platforms in their communities as we move towards the new normal,” Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

Año also asked LGUs to start partnerships with online payment providers in the country for efficient cashless payments.

“LGUs play an important role in providing a seamless and efficient delivery of public services – to ensure that every citizen will benefit in this initiative, we are moving forward with our partners in the private sector,” he said.

In the same statement, Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said cashless payments will also help for faster distribution of the second tranche of the social amelioration program (SAP).

Malaya cited that the manual distribution of the first tranche of the cash aid took several weeks to be completed until the deadline last May 13. [ac]