University of the Philippines Open University
Faculty of Management and Development Studies
Master of Management Program
Roldan A. Talaugon
May 16, 2021
PM 208 PAS
Faculty-in-Charge: MSBaylon
Quiz # 4
Organization and Structure of the PAS
Quiz # 4 – Organization and Structure of the PAS
The websites of government agencies will be very helpful in knowing and
understanding their mandate, powers and functions; organizational structure, the
programs, projects and activities that they implement; their accomplishments; and,
other information about them.
1.
Select and explore fully the website of at least one government
agency so that you have a special handle and appreciation of the totality of an
executive agency. It can be a department, or commission (regular or
Constitutional), or GOCC, or LGU, or CSO, or Task Force/AdHoc Committee.
Identify what type of agency it is and explain why you chose it.
The website that I chose for exploration and assessment is that of the
Cebu City Government, a Local Government Unit (LGU). Cebu City is classified as a
highly urbanized city having reached the minimum requirement for such classification
which are a minimum population of 200,000 inhabitants and with a certified latest
annual income of at least P50,000,000.00 (LGC 1991). Basing on the figures itself for
the said classification, it is expected to have a wide and complex array of services and
management system it should deliver to its very city and its constituents or inhabitants.
Being a highly urbanized city also comes with a lot of issues and challenges in
maintaining peace, order, and cleanliness among others into managing the city well
also with the proper and efficient management of its resources to provide quality public
service.
Given the above concerns for a city and with the Cebu City’s mission
statement “to have well-informed and participative barangays and communities” one
of the requirements especially in this modern age is to have working and fully
functional local government website that is easily accessible to the public. This was
also emphasized due to the advent and recent thrust for e-Governance, through the
passing of the Electronic Commerce Act or RA 8792, utilizing Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) to bring or bridge the government better and faster
to the people. Thus, it is necessary and essential that a highly urbanized city to have
an interactive and functional website to further project its purpose and functions and
effectively and efficiently cater the needs of its constituents.
2.
Describe the website.
The Cebu City Government website generally is easy to navigate,
organized, and functional. It shows simplicity in design with highly visible buttons and
contents. The official seal or logo of Cebu City can be seen immediately when entering
the website and the name of the city with its famous branding as “The Queen City of
the South.” It also immediately highlights its capability in showing a promotional video
for the city’s current accomplishment which makes it captivating and promotes
curiosity to the user. The homepage easily shows a lot of necessary contents in an
organized manner. It uses the color green as the main theme for the website being
also the political party color of the incumbent Mayor.
The main buttons or menus that can be seen in the homepage are the
following with its respective drop-down menus: GOV.PH, HOME, ABOUT US,
TRANSPARENCY, DIRECTORY, GALLERY, PRIVACY POLICY, CAREERS,
SEARCH LINE, DOWNLOAD FORMS, and SITE MAP. Other corners or features that
can also be easily seen in the homepage are the ONLINE WEBS ERVICES,
MAYOR’S CORNER UPDATES, ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS, BIDS AND
PROCUREMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, LATEST POSTS, VACCINATION STORM
ADVISORY, E-CITIZEN ENABLING SERVICE DELIVERY, and the EMPLOYEE
LOG-IN.
3.
Can you learn from its website:
a.
The mandate, powers and functions of the agency – yes or
no? If yes, what are these?
The Cebu City government website posted its “Mandate and
Functions” through its Mission-Vision Statement with a Creed and Performance
Pledge as a guiding principle using a mnemonic “SERVE BEST”:
Vision:
Mission:
The most livable city for all.
To ensure an environmentally friendly, financially dynamic,
pro-active & self-reliant City Government; and
To have well-informed and participative barangays and
communities.
EL CREDO DE CIUDAD DE CEBU
We are one formidable family;
We have unlimited talents and resources;
We believe that we can make a difference;
We can make things happen;
We need to “push the envelope”;
We commit to serve with all our hearts, mind
and soul,
Amen.
PERFORMANCE PLEDGE
Serve promptly, efficiently with utmost courtesy with the intention to serve the
ends of truth and justice.
Ensure strict adherence by all to the approved Code of Conduct and uphold at
all times standards set in discharging our duties and responsibilities.
Reaffirm to the public that the City exist to serve our clients, that all of their
needs shall be attended to before end of the business day, Mondays
to Fridays.
Value every citizen’s comments, suggestions, and needs, including those with
special needs such as the persons with disability, pregnant women,
and senior citizens; and
Empower the public through efficient access to information on our policies,
programs, activities and services through our website
(www.cebucity.gov.ph) and the City Public Assistance Center.
Believe unconditionally that in every circumstance, despite contention “there is
always a better way”.
Eliminate discrimination and gender bias attitudes and deal with professional
civility by providing service transparently without delays.
Sincerely understand and value very client’s comments and suggestions,
responding to them with expediency through the City’s Complaints and
Public Assistance Desk.
Transparent and fair in all transactions while promoting non-tolerance of the
culture of corruption.
All these we commit and pledge, because every Cebuano deserves the BEST
service.
b.
Its organizational structure and officials – Yes, or no? Who
heads the agency and what is his/her position/designation?
An organizational structure can be found in the website, as shown
in Figure 1. It also shows the head of the Cebu City LGU which is Hon. Edgardo
Labella, as well as the other elected officials from the Vice-Mayor, City
Representatives, City Councilors for both the North and South District, the Association
of Barangay Councils (ABC) President, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation
President, and the officers of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and its respective
committee heads.
Additionally, the respective LGU Department/Office Heads or
positions are listed to include the respective goals, legal mandate, brief history,
accomplishments, ongoing projects, and contact information.
Figure 1. Cebu City Government Organizational Structure
c.
Its programs and projects – yes, or no? Briefly describe three
major programs/projects of the agency.
1) Vaccination Program for Senior Citizens
Following the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging
Infectious Diseases guidance on administering COVID-19 vaccination, the Cebu City
Government started its vaccination program for those under A2 prioritization
classification which are the senior citizens. The vaccination for the senior citizens was
started on March 24, 2021 and has been continuing based on set schedules. The
latest news update for the said vaccination was the one conducted last May 3, 2021
in the designated vaccination sites.
2) Carbon Public Market Redevelopment Project
The Cebu City Government entered into a Joint Venture
Agreement with the Megawide Construction Corporation for the P5.5B major
renovation project of Cebu’s largest and oldest primary public market for it to be more
organized, ensure sanitation and cleanliness. The said agreement was signed last
January 11, 2021 and the groundbreaking ceremony was conducted last March 24,
2021.
3) Let There Be Light Program
A program which aims to provide electricity connection for the
urban poor especially for the informal settlers who could not qualify for the regular
electricity connection application for their respective houses. This has been a
continuing program ever since the previous local administration wherein the Cebu City
Government entered into an agreement with Visayan Electric Company (VECO). Said
program helped the target beneficiaries to gain legal access to electricity and ensure
safety in wiring connections so as to avoid causes of gutted fire especially in the
severely populated urban areas.
Do you think they are within the agency’s powers and
functions and are consistent with its mandate – yes or no?
Yes, these are all within the local government’s powers and
functions and are consistent with its mandate since primarily these programs or
projects were aimed toward providing prompt and sustained public service to the city’s
constituents specifically for the health, sanitation, cleanliness, and providing access to
electricity, among others.
d.
Their accomplishments – yes, or no? Briefly describe three
of its major accomplishments.
1) Installation of New/Modern Traffic Lights
Aimed towards improving the traffic system in Cebu City being
a highly urbanized city having a heavy traffic in its main thoroughfares especially
during rush hours. New traffic lights were installed featuring the visible timers as can
also be seen in other highly urbanized cities. Additionally, the Cebu City Transportation
Office (CCTO) was also given new equipment and vehicles to better perform their
mandated tasks and functions in traffic management.
2) Barangay’s First Responders Training Course
A training course for the representatives of the Mayor
Information and Liaison Office (MILO) for each barangay who at the same time will
perform tasks as barangay first responders during times of calamity, disaster, or any
emergency situations. The said course was initiated by the Cebu City Disaster Risk
Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) since the respective barangay’s
response team or unit will be under the management and supervision of the
CCDRRMO.
3) Distribution of CHAMP Financial Assistance
One of the major programs of the Cebu City Government for
aid and assistance to its constituents is the City Hospitalization Assistance and
Medicines Program (CHAMP) in partnership with accredited hospitals. Under the
CHAMP, each constituent will be given a financial assistance of P25,000.00 for every
hospitalization but with a given limit for the number of hospitalizations within a year.
Based on these accomplishments, do you think the agency
is effective in performing its mandate and functions?
These accomplishments are all aimed towards providing the
needed service for the Cebu City constituents in terms of traffic system, providing
financial assistance for hospitalization and for disaster preparedness through
imparting knowledge and skills to the first immediate responders which are those
officials in the respective barangays. All of which fall under the given mandates and
functions of the local government towards its immediate public.
e.
What other information can you gather from its website?
What are the other features and contents of the website?
Other information and features that can be seen in the Cebu City
Government’s website are the following:
1) Promotional videos for tourism programs and other major
activities of the city.
2) Mobile (phone) application for “Cebu City Online Services”
(Android only).
3) “Search” bar or feature to easily find the desired link or
information.
4) Downloadable forms with procedures/steps (e.g., Business
Permit Application/Renewal, Building Permit, etc.).
5) Updates, news, announcements, and other activities and
events are in Bisaya dialect.
6) “Employee’s Log-in” for specific and desired accessibility.
7) Link to “GOV.PH” or the National Government Portal (NGP)
which is a single window uniting all web-based government content to maximize
efficiency and provide rapid, high-quality services to citizens. It enables the citizens to
find services quicker to reach in a single website. (GOV.PH)
8) Transparency corner which shows Full Disclosure Data for the
City Annual Budget.
9) Corner for Bids and Procurements.
10) Dedicated corner for Vaccination and COVID-19 updates.
11) Privacy Policy Statement.
12) Contact numbers and e-mail address of respective office or
department.
13) Locator (Google) map of the Cebu City Hall location.
f.
What other information would you like to know but could not
find them in its website? Why should these information be included in its
website?
Despite a fairly interactive and organized website of the Cebu City
Government, there are other information which are essential but could not be found in
it, such as:
1) Historical background, physical or geographical location and
list of the city’s barangays, zoning classifications, and other related demographics.
2) List of updated Executive Orders of the local chief executive,
city ordinances, zoning ordinances, and other related laws or publications.
3) Agenda, recorded videos, and minutes of Sangguniang
Panlungsod (SP) sessions as well as those of other boards, committees, councils, and
committees.
4) List of services, aid, and assistance from the local government
with information on how to apply or qualify.
5) Directions or listed locations to easily find other local
government facilities and buildings outside the city hall compound (e.g., city library,
hospitals/clinics/health centers, police stations, fire stations, etc.)
6) Chat box or feature which requires a dedicated staff to monitor
and answer inquiries and concerns.
7) Information, requests, grievance, issues, reports, and
feedback gathering feature.
4.
Is it easy to navigate and to find what you are looking for?
Yes, it is easy to navigate on the website whether in the computer or
using a mobile device (phone or tablet). The search bar or feature also adds on the
ease of finding desired information.
5.
What can be improved on its website?
The website design is presentable and organized which aids ease of
access and navigation. However, the listed information earlier which could not be
found on the website needs to be integrated or incorporated to further improve and
suit its purpose in providing better service, transparency, usability, and development.
6.
What other comments and observations can you give?
A local government website must be simple and easy to navigate,
informative, and interactive in order to suit people’s needs and desire from its local
government unit. The Cebu City Government’s website is loaded with necessary
information as can be seen or navigated through its main panel or task bar. However,
upon checking each and every button or link down to its very sub-category, there are
those that do not have any entry or link, just a blank page. These blank pages can
be seen majority from the given buttons for the city “Departments and Offices”. Among
the 26 departments and offices, only 12 have a specific entry or information that
can be seen when clicking their respective buttons. Also, there is a corner or button
for “Resolutions and Ordinances” and the “Citizen’s Charter” however, they also have
no entries or just shows blank pages upon clicking. The button for the “Local Special
Bodies” under the “ABOUT US” have an entry or link but is not related to the Local
Special Bodies, it goes instead to the link and just a heading or title for the Cebu City
Environmental and Natural Resources Office.
The 12 departments and offices that have entries or links associated
have their respective information with regard to its vision, mission, mandates and other
information but have no uniformity or standard format on what they should really
show in their respective pages. Others have listed their respective services or
functions while others have not. Others have stated their historical background as well
as the legal mandate, while others have no mention on the matter.
7.
On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), how would you rate the
agency’s website? What measure/s did you use in rating it?
Using the United Nations (UN) E-Government Maturity Model (4-Stages)
and the simplified criteria for each stage on Website Maturity Assessment Criteria as
used in the study of Khalid and Lavilles (2019) and the same explanation for the stage
assessment, if all criteria are met in a specific stage, it will be classified as belonging
to the next higher stage. For the Cebu City government website, despite having met
some criteria in the Stage 3 (Transactional), There are two criteria in Stage 2
(Enhanced) that were not met, thus, remaining to be at Stage 2 maturity.
But for a personal scale, I would rate it with a 3. Certain
improvements can be done as can be seen on the unmet criteria and was further
elaborated in the listed information earlier which could not be found on the website.
Simply, the direct and fast interaction or communication of the user or constituent to
the dedicated or appropriate local government personnel through its website and the
promotion of participative and interactive system.
Table 1. Website Maturity Assessment Criteria – Cebu City Government
References:
Cebu City Government Website. https://www.cebucity.gov.ph/
Eisenstein, L. (2020). The Importance of Having an Effective Government Website.
Retrieved from https://insights.diligent.com/boardroom-technology-localgovernment/importance-effective-government-website. Accessed: May 12, 2020.
Khalid, S. A. (2019). Maturity Assessment of Local E-Government Websites in the
Philippines. Fifth Information Systems International Conference 2019. ScienceDirect.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050919318149.
Accessed: May 11, 2021.
Macasero, R. (2021). Carbon Market in Cebu City to Get New Look. Rappler.
Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/carbon-market-cebu-city-new-lookfebruary-2021. Accessed: May 15, 2021
O’Phelan, M. (2017). The Importance of Having a Functional Government Website
Retrieved from https://granicus.com/blog/importance-functional-governmentwebsite/. Accessed: May 12, 2020.
Schindler, K. (2016). Government Website is Now an Essential and Expected.
Retrieved from
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/government_website_is_now_an_essential_and_ex
pected. Accessed: May 12, 2020.
What is the GOV.PH? Retrieved from https://www.gov.ph/index.html.
Accessed: May 15, 2021