“Soon Kalinga provincial ordinances can be accessed online; madigitalize ton ti SP documents” - Board Member Kitongan after MOA signing between KPLGU and KSU

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Kalinga will soon have “easy access” to Sangguniang Panlalawigan documents as an ordinance pushed by Board Member Emilio Kitongan moves forward following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the provincial government and Kalinga State University (KSU) on April 8.

The MOA signing, led by Governor James Edduba, BM Kitongan, and KSU President Dr. Joy Grace Doctor, aims to develop a digital system that will make it easier for the provincial legislature to record, store, retrieve, and access documents.

Entitled “Codification and Digitization of the Ordinances and Policies of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Kalinga,” the proposed measure, according to Kitongan, seeks to institutionalize a systematic approach to compiling, classifying, and digitizing provincial ordinances and policies into a coherent and updated code.

The initiative is in line with the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, which promotes digital transformation and open government.

While the measure remains under deliberation in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the signing of the MOA marks the beginning of the initial groundwork for its implementation.

Under the agreement, KSU will serve as the implementing partner, providing the academic, legal, and technical support needed for the project.

A technical working group composed of university officials and faculty members will lead the collection, validation, and classification of legislative records, as well as the development of the digital system, among other functions.

“KSU, through its College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) and the Department of Social Sciences (DSS), is willing to extend its expertise in research, policy analysis, documentation, and database development to support the implementation of the said project,” stated the document obtained by Guru Press Cordillera.

The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU), on the other hand, will provide records, logistical support, and overall direction to ensure the proper implementation of the project.

Both parties will jointly oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project through a Project Steering Committee composed of representatives from the office of Kitongan and KSU.

The partnership is expected to run for two years, subject to extension upon agreement of both parties.

In an interview, Kitongan explained that he proposed the ordinance to protect historical and legal documents from deterioration or loss while making them more accessible to the public through digital platforms.

“Nu biruken tayon to dagiti ordinances nga signed into law or enacted, ket nalaka tayon to langen nga makita or mabirukan kasi i-access tayon to nalang idiay website. So easy to access ton dagijay legal documents para kadagiti officials ken kakailyan nga mangkayat mangkita,” the local legislator added.