The Cebu Provincial Government has taken a significant step towards modernizing its public services. On December 15, 2025, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed on second reading a landmark ordinance that will institutionalize a comprehensive digital services framework for the province.
A Framework for Digital Transformation
The proposed ordinance, crafted by Provincial Board Member Malcolm Sanchez, aims to simplify government transactions, strengthen data protection protocols, and enhance the overall quality of public service delivery. A copy of the measure was obtained by SunStar Cebu from Sanchez's office on the same day it was advanced.
At the heart of this digital shift is the formal designation of the Cebu Provincial Information and Communications Technology Council (PICTC). This body, initially formed via Executive Order No. 29, Series of 2025, will be tasked with crafting policy and managing the province's overarching digital transformation agenda.
Creating the Technical Working Committee
To ensure a structured and phased implementation, the ordinance mandates the creation of a Technical Working Committee on Digital Services (TWC-DS). This committee will be directly responsible for initial planning, pilot program implementation, and coordinating digital service reforms across all provincial offices.
The TWC-DS will be composed of five members appointed by the governor from relevant provincial departments. The provincial data protection officer will serve as the sixth member, underscoring the initiative's focus on cybersecurity and citizen data privacy.
Funding, Reporting, and Capacity Building
The committee has a clear mandate for accountability. It is required to submit quarterly progress reports to the Provincial ICT Office, the Governor, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. The TWC-DS will be dissolved after three years, once its responsibilities are transferred to a designated lead implementing office, unless extended by another ordinance.
Recognizing that technology is only as effective as the people using it, the ordinance also empowers the provincial government to conduct regular capacity-building and training programs for employees. This ensures staff are equipped to use new digital systems effectively.
To kickstart these efforts, an initial fund of P5 million has been allocated for the ordinance's implementation, to be sourced from the provincial government's budget.
