MILG, UNDP join forces to Enhance Digital Governance in Marantao, LDS
COTABATO CITY (March 20, 2025) — The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have joined forces to advance digital governance in Marantao, Lanao del Sur, through the establishment of a state-of-the-art Digital Center. This initiative is part of the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LEAPS) program, designed to improve service delivery and enhance the efficiency of local governance.
According to MILG, last March 11 to 13, 2025, the LEAPS Core Team, under MILG’s Local Government Capacity Development Program, conducted a series of activities including the Final Punch Listing and Handover of the #DigitalBangsamoro Center equipment. In addition, a Web Portal Training was provided for the Marantao local government unit (LGU) to equip their personnel with the necessary digital skills to operate the system effectively.
The MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah B. Dumama-Alba, emphasized the importance of the project, stating, “The establishment of the Digital Center in Marantao is a testament to our unwavering commitment to modernizing local governance. Through digital solutions, we aim to bridge gaps, enhance service delivery, and bring the Bangsamoro government closer to the people.”
The event was a collaborative effort, bringing together local authorities, service providers from Marantao, as well as key representatives from MILG’s Information Systems and Technology Management Division (ISTMD), UNDP Philippines, and ETP Builder. Mitzi Anne Mendoza, Program Manager for UNDP Philippines, and Abdullah U. Lingga, ITO of ISTMD, represented their respective organizations, while an ETP Builder representative provided technical support.
MILG added that the primary goal of the event was to ensure the readiness of the Digital Center and Call Center. This included conducting comprehensive testing and simulations of the interactive call and queuing systems. LGU personnel were also trained to manage the call center and navigate the digital management system, ensuring smooth operation once the center becomes fully functional.
The Digital Center’s upcoming soft launch is expected to mark the beginning of a new era of innovation in governance within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). It reflects MILG’s ongoing efforts to strengthen local government units (LGUs) by providing them with the necessary digital infrastructure to enhance service efficiency and meet the needs of their communities.
This initiative showcases MILG’s continued commitment to fostering inclusive governance by improving regional accessibility and responsiveness through digital transformation. (USM BSIR OJT Student: Amera M. Basalon, BMN/Bangsamoro Today)
