The RESOURCEGov2 project team conducted a Legislative Information Tracking System (LITS) orientation to the Sangguniang Panlungsod and 14 out of 26 barangays of General Santos City on January 29, 2018 at SP Session Hall, General Santos City. There were 80 participants and four (4) Mahintana Foundation Inc. personnel present.
City Vice Mayor Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles introduced and welcomed the project team to the barangay officials and representatives, and expressed her gratitude that such project is implemented by Mahintana Foundation Inc. which was funded by EU. Hon. Nograles emphasized that the 26 barangays need data banking and legislative tracking to avoid loss of ordinances and resolutions especially after change of officials. She also shared her unfortunate attempts to come up with a legislative information tracking system which is expensive. Moreover, it did not materialize until she met the RESOURCEGov team and knew about the free LITS earlier in January. Mr. Roel Ian P. Blanker, Project Manager, presented a short project overview and proceeded in the discussion about the system: its requirements, installation, the user interface and how the system works. He emphasized that though the software is free and technical assistance is provided, no computer and/or laptops are to be given. He also affirmed during the open forum that the system does not need internet to work and can be used by the barangays.
A Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Mahintana Foundation Inc. for the support in sharing the LITS to the SP and the 26 barangays of General Santos City. The whole team received the award from the vice mayor and SP department heads. Mr. Jobe C. Tubigon gave the closing remarks saying that RESOURCEGov2 Team is going to help install the system in the barangays when schedules from the SP are finalized.
Fourteen (14) barangays were provided with the LITS installer and manual. At the end of the session, barangay local government units (BLGUs) of City Heights and Siguel have successfully installed the system. Due to time constraints and unavailability of computer units, the remaining BLGUs will install the system on a schedule to be arranged by the SP office and their IT department in the month of February. The SP of General Santos City is planning to hold a formal launching of the use of LITS in the city on the last week of February as part of its effort to enhance the policy-making capacities of the SP and the 26 barangays of General Santos City.