City, DICT to ink pact on harmonizing ICT efforts

The city council passed resolution no. 365, series of 2023, granting Mayor Benjamin Magalong, representing the city government, authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for a possible partnership in harmonizing, coordinating and integrating information and communications technology (ICT) efforts of the parties particularly covering applications and systems as they may identify to be integrated and interconnected with that of the city government.    

The measure stated that  implementation of specific projects and activities pursuant to the MOU that shall be covered by separate agreements are subject to prior authority or confirmation by the august body and that substantial amendments to the MOU shall also be subject to its review and authorization.

Per the memorandum, the DICT shall continue to develop existing, new and additional applications related to E-Governance, while the city government shall serve as the DICT’s digital transformation partner whose duties include collaboration on ICT-related initiatives and programs, and interoperation of DICT-developed applications and systems.

No funds shall be exchanged during the course of the term of the MOU, however, costs of performance for responsibilities shall be for their separate accounts, the resolution disclosed.

“The city government of Baguio in its utmost support of the digitalization of the government, manifests its interest to computerize and automate the provision of its public services,” the measure stated. – Gaby B. Keith