DAVAO CITY – To strengthen commitment for digitalization in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Localizing e-Governance for the Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program facilitated the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) and 9 local government units in the region.  

Geared towards supporting the #DigitalBangsamoro vision of the BARMM government, the LeAPS Program is a flagship program of MILG in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The program supports the Office of the Chief Minister, BARMM ministries, and select LGUs through the transformative power of data, digitalization, and people-centered governance.  

The MOA signing with MILG marks the commitment of the LGUs to institutionalize, adapt, and implement the program within their localities. 

Nine (9) cities and municipalities entered into an agreement to commit to the implementation of the LeAPS Program, namely: the Municipality of Maluso, Province of Basilan; the Municipalities of Maimbung and Omar, Province of Sulu; the City of Cotabato; the Municipalities of Paglat and South Upi, Province of Maguindanao del Sur; the Municipality of Upi, Province of Maguindanao del Norte; the City of Marawi and the Municipality of Wao, Province of Lanao del Sur. 

These 9 LGUs will join the initial 12 LGUs that have confirmed their commitment to roll out the LeAPS Program in March.  

During the signing ceremony, MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo commended the local chief executives and their staff for their commitment to providing their communities with better access to essential government services, improved data privacy and security, and a more responsive and efficient local government.  

Minister Naguib further noted that: “LeAPS is not just a program; it is a transformative initiative that will usher in a new era of digital governance in BARMM. It is about leveraging technology to enhance the accessibility, efficiency, and transparency of public services, thereby bringing about real and tangible improvements in the lives of our people.” 

The full roll-out of the LeAPS Program will cover all the 116 municipalities, 2 cities, and all the barangays in BARMM. A key aspect of the initiative is the inclusion and active engagement of far-flung and disadvantaged municipalities, especially in the island provinces. Among the 9 LGUs that signed the MOA, 2 are 6th class municipalities—Paglat and Omar.  

Mayor Abdulbaki Ajibon Al-Haj of Omar, a small municipality in Sulu with under 30,000 residents, expressed his appreciation to the program. He shared that: “Small municipalities like ours are often overlooked. We are truly happy that we are now being included and recognized. This is why we fully support MILG and UNDP’s LeAPS Program!” 

Through UNDP’s work with the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG), the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program is geared towards transforming local governance in BARMM by significantly accelerating connectivity in communities and enabling citizens to capitalize on the benefits of digitalization and capacity-building through improved access to services and information, community enterprise development, and skills development. Among the program’s key targets is to establish #DigitalBangsamoro Centers across the region. 

The #DigitalBangsamoro Center, which features a web portal and an interactive call center, will serve as a one-stop shop where people can easily access public information or transact through provision of various frontline services - such as birth certificate and business permit registration, and application for travel authority and Sanggunian Member eligibility, among others. More services will be introduced as the Program is rolled out to more LGUs.  

The first 2 #DigitalBangsamoro Centers in the region were launched in the municipalities of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur in June.  

In 2022, MILG Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo and UNDP Philippines Resident Representative Dr. Selva Ramachandran signed a MOA for the expanded roll-out of the LeAPS program, which is set to pave the way for the 5-Year Digital Transformation Roadmap of BARMM after 2023.  

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