State agencies sign agreement on interoperability

MANILA, Philippines — Various government agencies have agreed to foster digital integration and interoperability in a bid to improve and harmonize the bureaucracy.

In separate statements, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said they inked a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Information and Communications (DICT) to integrate ICT efforts for e-governance.

The MOU covers all collaborative efforts between agencies to ensure interoperability of applications and systems of the agencies.

The pact targets to answer the directive of President Marcos to undergo digital transformation and ensure faster delivery of government services, enhance accountability, and guarantee transparency.

Budget chief Amenah Pangandaman emphasized that digital transformation would allow the government to build reliable data systems that are responsive to the people’s needs such as targeted social protection and more efficient employment opportunity linking systems.

Under the MOU, the DBM will guide the DICT on its process to ensure interoperability, provide relevant information and data, and comply with existing and relevant laws on procurement, budget and accounting processes.

The BOC, on the other hand, will be assisted by DICT in assessing and evaluating the current applications and systems of the revenue agency.

They are expected to provide recommendations and strategies for improving the ICT system, develop additional applications if needed, and ensure smooth integration.

All parties committed to comply with existing laws and regulations, including those concerning procurement, budget, and accounting processes. Necessary security measures will be prioritized to safeguard program implementation.

Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio maintained that BOC is bent on embracing digitalization and its opportunities to deliver better services.

?Agencies which also signed their respective MOUs with the DICT include the Departments of Health, Human Settlements and Urban Development, Agriculture, and the Development Academy of the Philippines.