• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod is urging the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company Inc. (PLDT Inc.) for a four-week grace period from the due date of the bill statement, prior to disconnection of internet service.
The SP “experiences frequent internet service disruption and disconnection for failing to pay PLDT Inc. on time due to the usual procurement and accounting processes involved in the payment of government obligations, which require a time frame that exceeds beyond the payment deadline set by PLDT,” said the resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang and approved by the sanggunian Feb. 21.
Being a government agency that highly depends on the internet service provided by PLDT, the SP needs the four-week extension as an additional time to settle the outstanding balance and thus avoid service interruption, it added.
The PLDT is the only internet service provider of the SP, with 21 lines. “With the advent of technology and as the world becomes more interconnected through cyberspace, the internet has been an important platform and tool for most people in the world, (and) the Sangguniang Panlungsod also depends mostly on internet service in fulfilling its mandate in legislation.”
Meanwhile, the SP is also urging the Management Information Technology and Computer Services (MITCS) to enhance the Bacolod government website features, especially the accessibility and user-friendliness of the resolutions and ordinances section.
“There have been concerns raised by our constituents, government officials and employees regarding the accessibility and user-friendliness of the current system for accessing SP resolutions and ordinances on https://www.bacolodcity.gov.ph,” a resolution, also authored by Ang, said.
It stressed that the MITCS should conduct a review of the current system for posting SP resolutions and ordinances and implement changes to improve accessibility, ease of navigation, and search functionality; as well as explore all options for applying features, such as categorization, tagging, and a user-friendly search interface to facilitate easier access.
The posting of SP resolutions and ordinances on the website is essential for public awareness and people participation in legislative matters, and in promoting greater transparency and accountability in local governance that is also a thrust of Mayor Alfredo Benitez, it added. | CGC
