MEMBERS of the 5th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) warmly welcomed the officials of the Municipality of Bayog, Zamboanga del Sur led by Vice Mayor Jocel L. Babasa during their benchmarking visit last June 24, 2024.
Babasa and her party, composed of the Sangguniang Bayan members and office staff of Bayog town, made a benchmarking tour and observed the actual use of the SP’s electronic (e)-archive system with paperless application.
The SP has been using this digital technology since the time of the late Vice Mayor Othello “Boy” Chiong after it was successfully installed in December 2018, earning the City of Naga’s distinction as the trailblazer in paperless application in Cebu.
Thanks to the Devise Software Designs and Solutions, an Iloilo City-based service provider, for making it possible for the application of this e-archive legislative system to the local sanggunian.
In his welcome message, City Councilor Carmelino “Junjie” Navales Cruz, Jr., SP majority floor leader, briefly discussed about the legislative process, including the advantages of adopting the new technology as a digital tool to pass or enact measures.
With this digital adoption, SP members have already enjoyed the convenience of reviewing the minutes and calendar of business at their fingertips through their flip-and-fold laptop, instead of browsing over hard voluminous documents during sessions,
During the question and answer portion, it was emphasized that the digital system has likewise become a money-saving tool because it reduces the supply of reams of bond papers to the SP every year.
The e-archive system likewise contains electronic references such as memorandum circulars of the Department of Interior and Local Government and other government agencies, the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Local Government Code of 1991, making it easier for the legislators and staff to access, view or retrieve the uploaded documents.
At present, the SP secretariat has already uploaded a total of 5,479 approved resolutions and close to 300 enacted ordinances in the system.
The visiting Bayog town officials then made a brief tour at Museo Naga located on the second floor of the legislative building after they received a token, a customized wood design tumbler with “Naga Akong Garbo” markings.
