INNOVATION LEADER. Victorias City continues to pioneer ICT innovations in the Province of Negros Occidental and Western Visayas Region with its launching of Sidlak City Digital Network Assets and Project VECTOR at Don Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Arts and Cultural Center yesterday, January 30.
“My vision is, Victorias City will be a city prepared and at the forefront of technology-driven local government in the region and the country […] that vision is starting now,” Victorias City Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez revealed in his speech.
DICT and DILG commend Victorias
Department of Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Anna Mae Yu Lamentillo and Department of the Interior and Local Government – Region VI Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero, CESO IV had joined the project launching and praised Victorias City for trailblazing various innovations in the City.
“[…] I am happy to be here and part of the launching of the various digital-related programs of the City of Victorias, noteworthy are the programs under the Sidlak City Digital Network Assets which will streamline government processes, promote ease of doing business, and provide convenient ways to the citizens to access e-government services,” Usec. Lamentillo said and assured that Victorias can partner with DICT in creating a strong, resilient, and inclusive digital city.
The Undersecretary also pointed out that DICT considers the local government units as the main players in implementing DICT programs and empowering every Filipino. Thus, she said, “The thrust of the government is to ensure universal connectivity so that no Filipino is left behind and use ICT solutions to improve the delivery of public services.”
Moreover, Regional Director Ingeniero said, “We [DILG] appreciate the driving force and creative energy of the local government unit of Victorias,” and expressed appreciation towards Mayor Benitez for pioneering various digital programs which will pave way for creating SMART cities.
Sidlak City DNA
Sidlak City DNA or Digital Network Assets serves as the primary virtual ecosystem of the City of Victorias which links all aspects and layers of the LGU.
It covers the underlying digital technology layers of the infrastructure of the City such as the Document Security Seal, Document Tracking System, Human Resources Information System (HRIS), and the One-Stop Citizens Mobile App with the Information Technology Business Solutions Corporation (ITBS).
Intelogram President Mark Llauder presented the overview of the Document Security Seal which incorporates the customized tamper-resistant and evident security seal labels.
Victorias City IT Consultant Jovic Dajay discussed the Document Tracking System and how will it optimize the City’s daily operations and will prevent bureaucratic red tape.
The One-Stop Citizens Mobile App was briefed by ITBS Marketing Director Raddy Diola and ITBS Operations Manager and Project Implementation Officer Lester Morfe. They explained the various functions of the SMART City App that will fully revolutionize and digitalize the City’s operations, businesses, and profiling.
It was also revealed in the project launching that Victorias City was hailed as the first LGU in the Province of Negros Occidental to satisfactorily delivered, installed, and implemented HRIS as certified by the Landbank of the Philippines.
Project VECTOR
The Project VECTOR or Victorias Emergency and Crisis Tactical Operation and Response anchors all disaster and response management-related information and communication system of the City.
It will be comprised of state-of-the-art weather information and monitoring system of the City, an emergency and crises management education drive, and communication campaigns on risk mapping, mitigation, and response.
The installation of CCTVs was discussed by Sidmax Technology Operations Manager Sharyn Empillo and Sidmax Technology Technical Engineer Jomari Dumancas.
On the early warning systems, JP Gallego from Smartguard Philippines Inc. presented an overview of the project implementation.
Mayor Javi hosts 1st Negros ACE Regular Meeting
Local chief executives in various cities and municipalities in the province convened for the first regular meeting of Negros Association of Chief Executives hosted by their President and Victorias City Mayor Javi Benitez.
Mayor Benitez presided over the meeting and was able to discuss future projects and plans for the association.
The city mayors then graced the project launching of Sidlak City DNA and Project VECTOR at the City Cultural Center with Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” Lacson.
In attendance were Mayor Manuel Escalante III of Manapla, Mayor Joedith Gallego of Silay City, Mayor Ma. Gina Lizares of Sipalay City, Mayor Marvin Malacon of E.B. Magalona, Mayor Marilyn Era of Calatrava, Mayor Madonnah Jaojoco of Toboso, Mayor Irene Montilla of Isabela, Mayor Benjie Miranda of Kabankalan City, Mayor Enrique Miravalles of Valladolid, Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo of Moises Padilla, Mayor Jose Nadie Arceo of Hinigaran, Mayor Lawrence Marxlen Dela Cruz of Don Salvador Benedicto, Mayor Victor Gerardo Rojas of Murcia, Mayor Rex Jalando-on of La Carlota City, Mayor Jose Maria Alonso of Pontevedra, and Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña of Pulupundan.
City administrators and official representatives of Hinoba-an, Cauayan, and La Castellana were also present at the meeting and project launching.
Executive Director of iWave Marco Urera demonstrated and presented Starlink, a satellite internet constellation.
This device delivers high-speed satellite internet to remote areas. Its company advocates for providing universal access to the Internet, especially in far-flung regions of the world.
According to Mayor Benitez, the two projects, Sidlak City DNA and Project VECTOR banner the dynamic governance and resilient community agenda of his administration. The programs will serve as a start for other development plans for the City of Victorias.
“Technology is inevitably part of the rapidly changing global interactions whether in business or in governance. For some, it is a big, distant dream and intimidating to take on, but we have to take it on, nonetheless,” the City Mayor said.
The launching was also joined by Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, City Councilors, City Administrator Atty. Lindolf De Castro, City department heads, and various technology providers and suppliers. *
