The Union of Local Authorities once again took part in the conduct of the Island Wide LGU ICT Forum, with this year’s theme: Strengthening LGU Capacities through ICT: “Innovation, Competitiveness and Transparency” at the Makati Palace Hotel last September 16, 2015.
The whole-day affair was participated by an estimate of 250 participants from the LGUs who completed the streamlining of business permits processes, identified as compliant to the Business Permit and Licensing System (BPLS) standards and deemed one of the E-ready LGUs by the DOST-ICTO survey in Luzon.
As an overview, the ICT Forum promotes the importance and use of technology in the local government unit systems and operations in addressing the demand and delivering the needs of their constituents and strengthen LGUs practices on transparency and accountability. It specifically offers an avenue to:
1. Update LGUs on the current programs and policies of national government in creating a business enabling environment through the use of technology.
2. Showcase LGUs best practices in maximizing the use of technology in their operations, system and structure for better performance.
3. Apprise LGUs on the different and available system application that they can be used and adopt to create innovation and transparency in their operations and effective delivery of services.
4. Enable LGUs to choose superior technology that fits their needs and meet the demand of their constituents especially in making and doing business.

During the forum, private companies showcased various innovative technology solutions to the attendees. The LGUs also signed up for possible partnerships and raffle items were given away during the event.
ULAP Director Genixon David started the presentations with a talk on Open Government Partnership and the Third OGP Action Plan Commitment while Jagna, Bohol Mayor Fortunato Abrenilla delivered the Call for Action message in behalf of the Local Government Units. Other mayors and governors also presented best and innovative practices that may be replicated by other LGUs who were in attendance.
For the forum, ULAP is in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government – Bureau of Local Government Development (DILG-BLGD), Department of Science and Technology Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in collaboration with the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), USAID E-PESO, and the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) and with the support of the private companies –Microsoft Philippines, PLDT Alpha, Felta, WSI, Bizbox and American Technologies. This endeavor is part of the continuing partnership for the Innovative Technologies for Open Government Partnership Coalition (ITOGP) where DILG, Microsoft and ULAP sit as co-chairs.