Policy and Legislative Reforms

To support physical distancing measures, rules, regulations, and requirements of the Department of Budget and Management, the Government Procurement Policy Board, Commission on Audit and the Civil Service Commission will be reviewed, and where applicable, revised to allow electronic transactions, alternative work arrangements, and procurement in the government. The CSC is currently on the Development of Alternative Learning and Development (L&D) Modes which includes; Distance Learning Programs, Webinars, and Blended Learning for civil servants.

To support this shift to ICT enabled government, the LGUs shall capacitate themselves by hiring ICT personnel, availing of ICT trainings and equipment provided by the national government, establishing their own facilities and procuring their own equipment as well as establishing their own websites and developing their own internet based services for their constituents that are complimentary with that of the national government and other LGUs.

Build the public’s trust and confidence to enable a whole-of-society response and recovery

to the pandemic. With increased uncertainties as part of the New Normal, the government needs to properly communicate risks and guarantee transparency to citizens. A whole-of-government and whole-of-society National Values Formation Program initiated by the government must be implemented to address the anticipated changes in behavior and level of social trust. Trust in institutions must be cultivated by ensuring that our public officials exemplify the highest standards of service, integrity, ethics, and professionalism.

Protocols for information management and reporting will be adopted by the national government and LGUs. To facilitate the reporting to the public, an online dashboard will be put-up and maintained to bring the locus of control over the situation to the individual and the community. While the government must be seen as taking action comprehensively and as one, it must also be conveyed that, with the right information and resources, individuals can have significant control of the situation. The dashboard will serve as a platform to elicit support and cooperation from the rest of the society. An online platform is also convenient as this could be accessed on demand. Since most RLAs and LGUs reach the general public and their constituents through social media sites (such as Facebook), links to official/verified Facebook pages, if available should be provided.

Policy and Legislative Reforms 1. Institutionalize a national preparedness and response framework for pandemics and all-hazards, including the creation of Medical Reserve Corps, Stockpiling of Strategic and Critical Materials, and Emergency Medical Services System.

2. Amend the Labor Code and the Telecommuting Act of 2018 (RA 11165) to formally establish alternative work schemes such as compressed work week or flexi-schedule, and to extend telecommuting options to employees in the public sector.

3. Revision of the Synchronized Local Planning and Budgeting Policies to include mechanisms for the government to realign funds should there be pandemics and disease outbreak

4. Review and propose amendments on the Local Government Codefocusing on the capacity of LGUs to provide for personnel services specifically on the devolved functions from national government agencies like the DOH and DA, among others.

5. Fast-track the law lowering the age of retirement from 60 to 56

6. Rationalize the existence of so many councils that require the attention and attendance of LGUs during meetings

7. Issuance of guidelines in the implementation of the DICT Intranet portal

8. Support the passage of the Internet Transactions Bill (House Bill [HB] 6122), which seeks to strengthen the protection of personal data and consumers in online payments and transactions.