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Reflections: Data to help Cities and Municipalities

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Author: Nico O. Aspra (Bicol University)

In our generation today, technology has rapidly consumed everyone. It has rooted itself in the core foundation of modern society. With various age groups, even toddlers, access to technology is easy. As such, it has enabled agencies or companies to gather data from their users. With this accessible data, inevitably, advertisers specifically target consumers by their liking through the use of available information to gain more profit. With this in mind, this has revolutionized the advertising world from its traditional delivery to tailor-fitted advertisements. Policymakers can also utilize this strategy to tailor-fit the community’s specific needs. Local government units can benefit through data analytics by collecting and analyzing municipal- or city-wide information regarding a certain topic and thereby utilize this data to address problems or issues accordingly. Before the data even reaches the regional or national level, it can already be organized at the local level. Consequently, data will be more systematic and available at all levels of government, and if the data permits, challenges, and problems can be more easily addressed.

This article is the author’s reflection on the insight gained from the recently concluded OCDex 2022 Public Data Analytics Fellowship Trainings.

For more information about the article, please reach out to the author: nico.aspra@bicol-u.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Reflections: Data Analytics for Social Development

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Author: Mary Joy Canon (Bicol University)

Exploiting data through machine learning and analytics has been a trend solution in helping the government and other organizations alleviate pain in terms of social and economic aspects. Tools and methodologies in data analytics are used to generate insights, to recommend actions and more importantly to assist authorities in policy-making and translating these analyses to sound programs which directly benefit the people.  Perhaps, different organizations through their projects have already contributed, through data science, to social development and welfare. Kaggle, for instance was able to predict poverty levels to identify where the highest need is for social welfare assistance. This kind of project wouldn’t have been possible without access to data.

In the Philippines, the aim of social development mandated under the Constitution is to enact measures to protect and enhance the right of the people to human dignity, reduce social and economic inequalities and remove cultural inequities. Open data and analytics offer significant contribution and opportunities for the government and other bodies to create social impact.

Humanitarian Data Exchange of OCHA publicly made available a consolidated dataset on social development from World Bank Open Data. Data covers child labor, refugees, gender issues and disparities with key topics on education, health, labor force participation and political participation. This compilation of data, once processed and analyzed can be utilized in projects for social impact. The analysis can serve as an aid to identify the social issues or concerns that need immediate action by making essential benefits and services more accessible to the people. Data scientists, government officials and social sector leaders can work together to come up with a data-driven solution to take a major step forward in providing social transformation.

This article is the author’s reflection on the insight gained from the recently concluded OCDex 2022 Public Data Analytics Fellowship Trainings.

For more information about the article, please reach out to the author: mjpcanon@bicol-u.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Reflections: Data-driven Paradigm Shift in Philippine LGUs

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Author: Ramon Gian A. Bron (Bicol University)

In a decision-driven world, data plays an irreplaceable role not only for individuals but also for businesses and governments. Data allows decision-makers to smartly plan and make informed decisions from the insights gathered from the analysis of data. These decisions in turn impact how individuals, businesses, and governments deliver and enhance services as well as formulate policies that cascade down to the lowest level of operation.

Local Government Units (LGUs) may take advantage of data to create a paradigm shift in the way LGUs operate. LGUs should gather and consolidate data and process them so that insights can be generated. There are many available tools and systems that can be utilized by LGUs to process gathered data. These tools and systems range from simple spreadsheets to sophisticated applications. Based on the need of the LGU, different use-cases may then be identified.

It is a matter of expansion and exploration of data to enhance, if not change, the way we understand things around us. If LGUs can transition to ICT-driven systems that allow for the management of data, most, if not all, decisions will be data-driven. LGUs can even look ahead by analyzing historical data. From the insights determined through data analytics, the conclusions can be made ready for general human consumption through reports and visualizations.

All of these may become possible through the introduction of varying ICT solutions in the LGU. From simple to complex implementations, different ICT needs will be needed to cover the different niches that these will create. Therefore, staffing will be crucial to the success of any implementation. Different units within the LGU can then be identified to handle different problems, issues, and concerns. Ultimately, all of these will only be truly possible if people embrace the importance of data and analytics.

This article is the author’s reflection on the insight gained from the recently concluded OCDex 2022 Public Data Analytics Fellowship Trainings.

For more information about the article, please reach out to the author: rgabron@bicol-u.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Reflections: Policymakers and informed decision-making

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Author: Pee Jay N. Gealone (Bicol University)

Culturally, Philippines has been reliant to tradition in many of our practices and behavior. These traditions play vital role in how we see our world, sometimes however, these traditions are the ones that hold us back. In the advent of information technology and new technologies in general, the decision-makers are struggling how to push forward reforms that are often in contrast to the perceived norms and tradition. This is more true in a local government than in the national government because they are closer to the people. With the proper use of data, the policy makers will be able to tailor fit policies that are needed and supported by the general public.

The LGU may institutionalize the use of data to determine the right policies to be implemented in their localities. By passing resolution that institutionalizes these practices, there will be a creation of system where local policy makers can have the tool to push through programs and policies that may be in conflict with the perceived traditions and norms. I am convinced that it is now the time to bring down data-driven policies to the local level.

This article is the author’s reflection on the insight gained from the recently concluded OCDex 2022 Public Data Analytics Fellowship Trainings.

For more information about the article, please reach out to the author: pjngealone@bicol-u.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Reflections: How the Academe can Leverage Data and Analytics to Help LGUs

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Author: Mia Amor C. Tinam-isan (Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology)

Data analytics has been the talk of the town. It finds its way across agencies (government or private), businesses, or various institutions in discovering valuable information about the existing and overwhelming amount of data. Data in these times exponentially increase and extracting valuable information from these data is essential. Information from the analysis can be used for decision making, coming up with a good marketing strategy, or even in establishing policies and guidelines from a broad test base. However, local government units per se in various parts of the Philippines, have not yet maximized the impact of data analytics. Varying factors might contribute to this such as unorganized data and non-computerized processes.

As part of the academic community, we can implement programs, webinars, and workshops that will empower our LGU to exploit their available data. It is imperative to partner with NGAs, and LGUs, and develop a working strategy for local government digitization. We can propose a simple initiative and start from the automation of LGU processes to organize and ensure the quality and the integrity of data for analysis. We can also venture into partnering with private agencies such as OCDex which has experienced in partnering with LGUs and had already developed numerous government data analytics applications. As of the moment, the College is continuously having a dialog with different offices of LGU-Iligan in crafting MOA for the digitization of the city government.

This article is the author’s reflection on the insight gained from the recently concluded OCDex 2022 Public Data Analytics Fellowship Trainings.

For more information about the article, please reach out to the author: miaamor.catindig@g.msuiit.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com