DILG: Simplify government documents

CEBU, Philippines — Saying that mayors and governors spend too much time signing documents, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he wants documents digitalized and simplified to reduce their hours doing such.

Now the Department of the Interior and Local Government is meeting with the Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission to devise a plan for this.

"Kayo ang direct link sa tao, kayo naman ang araw-araw nagsisilbi eh. Let’s make our life simpler and lead more effectively,” said Remulla in an event with local chief executives here in Cebu recently.

Remulla noted that a local chief executive usually devotes three hours a day or 15 hours a week just to sign numerous documents such as contracts, notices of salary adjustment, notices of award, among others.

Based on his own experience as Cavite governor, he used to sign four copies of the notice of step increment for each of the province’s 4,000 employees.

"Dapat matapos ko ‘yun. Pirma lang ng pirma, puwede namang digitized, so we are going in that direction,” Remulla

He said no less than the president has directed all government offices to digitalize vital services immediately to facilitate ease of doing business and combat corruption.

“We would come up with a program. By June 30, 2025, ang pirmahin n’yo na 15 hours a week, ire-reduce natin to one hour a week na lang, by digitalization, simplifying the forms, lahat yan simplified into one hour a week,” Remulla told the local chief executives.

With this, they can turn to developing human capital, not just grand structures, as a legacy.

“Dapat ang mga mayors, governors, dini-develop hindi lang legacy na maaalala kayo para sa grand structure o kalye. Kailangan ma-develop natin ‘yung mga tao," said Remulla.

Remulla shared that he invested in developing human resources in Cavite when he was governor, as evidenced by the province's highly-educated workforce produced by the Cavite State University.  BRP (CEBU NEWS)