Iloilo marked another milestone in e-governance by being the first province in the country to launch a website for population-related data and information.
The provincial government launched the Iloilo Pop Website on November 23, 2022, at Casa Real Grand Social Hall.
The website allows the basic population-related data and information of the province to be readily available and accessible online for the use of local government units, partner agencies, stakeholders, researchers, students, and other data users, to aid in their development planning, policy formulation, program operations, and research undertakings, among others.
Provincial Population Office chief Ramon Yee said the website is consistent with the province’s vision of making data provision services more accessible to the public.
“The Iloilo Pop Website project is in support of the digital transformation initiative of the government for enhanced delivery of public services,” he said.
“From the data gathered by our Barangay Service Point Officers…to the world. Data naton ang istorya naton – the Iloilo Pop Website,” Yee added.
The provincial government partnered with the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) College of Information, Communication, and Technology for the development of the website. The project was funded by the cash prize received by the province for being the Most Outstanding Population Office in the Country during the Kaunlarang Pantao Award in 2019.
To access the website, visit www.ipop-app.com.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. underscored the importance of having a repository of population data as an important aspect of investment.
He said the website will be an important investment tool in understanding the human resources of the province, thereby making the LGUs attractive to investors.
Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) VI Assistant Regional Director Jonathan Dioteles lauded the initiative of the province in making a difference in data banking and management.
“PPO Iloilo is on the right track of putting data and information in the digital platform for better storage, access, and utilization of demographics for informed decisions and better development planning,” he said.
He further applauded Iloilo for achieving “many firsts” as a province such as launching the first population website in the country, establishing the first Multi-Purpose Counseling and Family Planning Development Center and first Comprehensive Population Data Banking and Management Project, and being the province with the most number of teen centers in the whole Philippines.
He said these programs are worthy of emulation of other provinces.
“Data nowadays are an important resource in every development initiative. I humbly ask the province of Iloilo to continuously support the localization of population programs,” Dioteles said.
The launching was also attended by the municipal mayors, municipal population officers, and partner agencies.
(LHC/Capitol news)