The provincial leaders of Zamboanga del Norte, led by Governor Rosalina “Nanay Nene” Jalosjos, expressed their joy after Zamboanga City Medical Center in Zamboanga City was chosen to conduct a benchmarking evaluation for the province’s management system, especially in integrating the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
This was stated by Mr. Aurelio Monteclaro, Assistant Provincial Administrator, during their meeting on September 5. The Zamboanga City Medical Center, led by Dr. Jaime Kristoffer Punzalan, Medical Officer III, was joined by Engr. Louie Virgil Gallardo, Krizelle Mae Falcasantos, Ricah Mae Maque, Micah Charles Msutahan, and Jose Anthony Fernandez. In an interview, Dr. Punzalan mentioned that Zamboanga City Medical Center is currently developing its in-house information system for administrative and patient services.
During this process, they realized that a digital signature, or the PNPKI from DICT, was necessary, and they inquired if it could be integrated into their system. DICT suggested that other local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao, such as Agusan del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte, have already done this, as DICT itself has not yet implemented it. Following this, Dr. Afdal Kunting, Medical Center Chief II, wrote to Governor Jalosjos to initiate a benchmarking activity so that they could also learn the best practices adopted by the province in relation to Local Government Information Systems, through the Management Information Systems Office (MISO), led by Miss Constance Marie Yvette Son.
Dr. Punzalan further added that they are eager to adopt these best practices in their hospital. They chose Zamboanga del Norte because it is geographically closer to Zamboanga City and more accessible to them. Dr. Punzalan praised the Electronic Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte Kiosk, located in the second-floor lobby of the capitol building, where they saw that the province is ahead and has made great strides in information systems.
Dr. Punzalan is optimistic that they will adopt the best practices of the province. Meanwhile, Miss Son stated that the information systems of the province were adopted from LGU Agusan del Sur after a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Governor Jalosjos and Governor Santiago Cane, Jr. on June 23 of the previous year.
Currently, the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Payroll System (EPAY), and Electronic Procurement System (EPS) are being implemented. Son added that before the end of this year, HRIS will also likely be implemented in other offices.
Ms. Son emphasized that collaboration is needed to fully utilize the system and ensure it is not wasted. It was noted that the province of Zamboanga del Norte has invested in a state-of-the-art data center and a fiber optic backbone distribution system because the province’s leadership is committed to embracing ICT innovation. (Sheng Jumalon Bala-Newswriter)