Locations
DATU BLAH T. SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte – The Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Philippines inaugurated Maguindanao del Norte’s first #DigitalBangsamoro center to bring essential government services closer to the residents of the Municipality of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat and surrounding localities.
Under the Localizing e-Governance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) Program—a flagship initiative of the MILG in partnership with UNDP—the #DigitalBangsamoro center will host an interactive call center and a one-stop-shop web portal for public services. Through this platform, Bangsamoro citizens can easily access public information and transact various frontline e-services, such as birth certificate registration and business permit application, tourist attraction booking, vehicle operator's permit, eReal Property Assessment, appointment system for health services, application for building permit, application for zonal clearance, PWD assistance registration, wastewater discharge permit, Special Development Fund Request and Release, and Grievance Redress System.
MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba stated: “These centers are more than just infrastructure—they are lifelines for our communities. They have transformed the way people access services by eliminating unnecessary steps and empowering our local government units to be more responsive and effective.”
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Mr. Edwine Carrié shared: “UNDP’s philosophy is to leave no one behind. Those who are in geographically isolated areas, those who are most vulnerable – they should be at the forefront of development. I encourage the residents of Datu Blah Sinsuat to make the most out the digital center so that they, too, can be part of the digital revolution.”
Municipal Mayor Datu Marshall Sinsuat said: “Even though our town is in a remote area, we are now able to keep up with other municipalities. We will never forget the legacy of the BARMM government. Through this program granted to DBS, our residents will no longer face difficulties in their transactions. Many other municipalities could have been chosen, but it was the youngest municipality, Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, that was selected.”
[L-R]: Vice Mayor Raida T. Sinsuat, MILG Provincial Director Tarhata L. Balading, UNDP Philippines Deputy Resident Representative Edwine Carrié, MILG Minister Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, Mayor Datu Marshall I. Sinsuat
The #DigitalBangsamoro center in Datu Blah T. Sinsuat is the third of its kind in the Bangsamoro region, following the first two located in Piagapo and Butig, Lanao del Sur. Having a number of tourist attractions, the local government of Datu Blah T. Sinsuat are hoping to maximize the platform to promote their municipality’s tourism industry. This year, 10 more digital centers are expected to be launched in various provinces in the region.
The centers were established to respond to gaps in the delivery of public services in the local level, part of the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the MILG and UNDP in 2022 for the expanded roll-out of the LeAPS program. This is set to pave the way for the five-year Digital Transformation Roadmap of BARMM, covering 124 municipalities, two cities, and all the barangays in BARMM, with the goal of building a highly trusted, people-centered governance through digital transformation. #
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