COTABATO CITY — Nine more Bangsamoro local government units (LGUs) will give their constituents electronic access to basic services through the digitalization project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Bangsamoro local government ministry.

The Localizing eGovernance for Accelerated Provision of Services (LeAPS) — bankrolled by the UNDP and first implemented in the municipalities of Butig and Piagapo in Lanao del Sur in 2020 — will soon be launched in Maluso, Basilan; Maimbung and Omar in Sulu; Upi in Maguindanao del Norte; Paglat in Maguindanao del Sur; Wao in Lanao del Sur; Marawi City; and Cotabato City.

Maluso Mayor Hanie A. Bud confirmed on Wednesday having signed the memorandum of agreement for the LeAPS project for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) LGUs.

Upi Mayor Rona P. Flores said the digitalization of LGU operations would improve the delivery of health, social welfare and other basic services to the Muslim, Christian and non-Moro ethnic Teduray communities in the municipality.

Upi has thrice been awarded the Seal of Good Local Governance in the last five years for its efficiency in handling public funds and its extensive peace and security and environmental-protection programs.

BARMM Minister of the Interior and Local Government Naguib G. Sinarimbo and the beneficiary-LGUs shall together set up the electronic digitalization of the public service and administration functionaries of the nine municipalities with the support of the UNDP.
Kalma Jikiri-Isnain, director of the Integrated Resource Development for Tri-people, said they are certain that the effort of the MILG-BARMM and UNDP can also boost their anti-child labor programs in the autonomous region that are being implemented along with the International Labour Organization and the office of Bangsamoro Labor Minister Muslimin Sema. — John Felix M. Unson