Tag Archives: local government

Home › local government

Reflection: The Study of Pandemic Resilience on Impoverished Municipalities

Comment

Author: Shehab D. Ibrahim (Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology)

Pandemic orders are declared to protect public health. However, some of these orders are more challenging to comply for impoverished or vulnerable groups. Let’s take the staying at home policy as an example. Vulnerable groups have no choice but to go out to work despite the great physical risk.

The researcher will investigate the pandemic resilience of the municipalities with high poverty incidence. Specifically, the researcher will look into the spread of the poverty index across the municipalities in the Philippines, study the correlation between pandemic resilience/ preparedness and social statistics of the municipalities, and determine the important factors (e.g. ICT and healthcare system investments) in developing pandemic resilience and provide data visualizations to aid decision-makers.  The data will be taken from the DOH public open data repository,  OpenStat database from the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), and other Philippines open government data repositories.

The researcher plans to create a Dynamic Poverty Heat Map through Geographical Information System (GIS) to show the poverty levels of every municipality. Spatial autocorrelation can also be performed to measure the autocorrelation of municipalities (through its polygon representations). This is to determine the pattern of the spatial position of municipalities and the poverty rate and evaluate if it is clustered, dispersed, or random. Also, the researchers will determine significant attributes from the DOH and OpenStat Database specifically related to Pandemic Resilience and Social Statistics of municipalities. A correlation heatmap can be visualized to show the relationship between these attributes. Finally, the researcher will create a model that will use the Social Statistics attributes as the features (independent variables) and the Pandemic Resilience attribute as the targeted variable (dependent variable). Models that can determine the important predictor variables, such as Lasso and Ridge regression, will be used. This will be helpful in determining the factors that may lead to developing pandemic resilience.

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: shehab.ibrahim@g.msuiit.edu.ph or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Maragondon and Ternate Tourism: Managing Riders and Businesses

Comment

Author: Mark Emmanuel Malimban (National University)

Maragondon and Ternate are municipalities located in the southern part of Cavite. These rural areas are rich in history and culture: Ancestral houses, Churches, and Historical sites can be found here. Mountains and many types of bodies of water are also enjoyed by the locals and tourists.

Bikers and motorists were commonly seen roaming around the vicinity. These groups come in small to big groups mostly coming from other areas and cities. Popular destinations of these riders are the Kaybiang Tunnel and the stretch road of Maragondon-Ternate-Nasugbu with the scenic beaches; with these, a lot of businesses have sprouted in the area which helps the local and LGU.

The increase in riders in the area doesn’t only come with advantages, some unfavorable circumstances were also identified. LGU placed some necessary steps to reduce some of these inconveniences and concerns.

Data analytics can help in developing the policy for government efficiency and resiliency. Bikers’ regulations for compliance with national directives; peace and order structure for tourists especially riders; and management of businesses in terms of investment and promotion. Analysis can also be used as a reference in devising the Disaster Risk Reduction Plan and Local Risk Assessment.

Opportunities should not be wasted, they should be managed well to increase their potential. LGU Policies and regulations should be data-driven to ensure that all perspectives and opinions were considered. Managing and establishing appropriate directives for these bikers and motorists will ensure not just safety but also the progress of the community.

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: memalimban@gmail.com or Layertech labs support at learning@layertechlab.com

Reflections: Data-driven Paradigm Shift in Philippine LGUs

Comment

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

Comment

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