A glimpse on the facade of the Cebu Metropolis Corridor. | CDN Digital photograph [FILE PHOTO]
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Paying taxes, securing permits, or submitting clearances at Cebu Metropolis Corridor might quickly be so simple as asking your cellphone to do it for you.
The Cebu Metropolis Council has launched an ordinance that seeks to modernize and automate authorities providers by creating an Built-in Digital Companies Platform, powered by synthetic intelligence (AI).
The proposed measure, authored by Councilors Winston Pepito and Michelle Abella-Cellona, goals to digitize transactions, streamline frontline providers, and make Metropolis Corridor accessible to residents anytime, anyplace.
“In our system now, individuals don’t wish to use it as a result of they get confused—the place to click on, which sublink to go to. It’s not user-friendly,” Pepito stated in an interview. “What we’d like is AI to change into the frontliner in inquiries and buyer providers at Metropolis Corridor. Every part automated.”
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AI as Metropolis Corridor’s new ‘frontliner’
Below the proposal, AI-powered chat and voice interfaces will enable residents to work together naturally with Metropolis Corridor providers, eliminating the necessity for sophisticated navigation via web sites.
“Think about simply telling your cellphone, ‘I wish to pay my taxes, are you able to open the web page?’ and it routinely opens with out you having to go looking manually. That’s what we’re envisioning,” Pepito defined.
He added that providers could be obtainable 24/7 and will embody supply choices for official paperwork to cut back foot visitors at Metropolis Corridor.
The platform is designed to cowl a variety of providers similar to allowing, licensing, evaluation, clearances, well being providers, and different frontline transactions. It is going to additionally assist cashless funds, in keeping with the nationwide authorities’s ease of doing enterprise initiatives.
“Even SSS is already on-line, so Metropolis Corridor also needs to be on-line. That is essentially the most handy choice for the general public,” Pepito stated.
Safety, infrastructure, and jobs
The ordinance follows current issues over Cebu Metropolis’s IT system after Pepito flagged vulnerabilities in possession, entry, and safety of the town’s present digital infrastructure. An govt session final week revealed a number of technical points that the Metropolis Corridor’s IT division is now addressing.
“Our Administration Data and Pc Companies (MICS) staff is working to repair the issues. They may give us an replace quickly,” Pepito stated. “We’ve recognized the faults; now the main target is on securing the system so the town received’t be paralyzed throughout emergencies.”
Requested whether or not AI would displace authorities staff, Pepito stated the know-how would as an alternative create alternatives.
“AI can substitute some duties, sure, however it’ll additionally generate work. For instance, if we solely want a number of employees in customer support as a result of AI helps, then the remaining can give attention to different productive issues, like supply or uncared for providers that wanted consideration,” he defined.
Pepito harassed that present computer systems at Metropolis Corridor wouldn’t want main replacements, solely server upgrades to assist AI capabilities.
Transparency and anti-corruption
The councilor additionally highlighted how automation may lower purple tape and curb corruption.
“With on-line funds and automatic processing, how can corruption occur? Every part shall be tracked and clear,” Pepito stated. “This can make transactions quicker and cleaner.”
The legislative course of
The proposed “Built-in Metropolis Digital Companies Ordinance of Cebu Metropolis” has been filed and referred to the Committee on Legal guidelines for evaluate and public listening to. It is going to mandate all departments, workplaces, and barangays to combine their providers into the unified platform.
“I don’t see any purpose why this ordinance received’t move. That is for the great of the town. I can not think about any affordable individual opposing it,” Pepito stated.
If accepted, Cebu Metropolis could be among the many first native governments within the Philippines to legislate a citywide AI-driven digital governance platform.
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