The Philippine Web Accessibility Group promised to assist the government in coming up of a unified web template which would have a common look-and-feel features and complies with existing memorandum circulars and directives.
In a seminar called for by Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and National Computer Center-Information and Communications Technology Office (NCC-ICTO) last December 14 at the NCC Work Hall, their web development team introduces sample templates including descriptions and interface requirements of homepage, inner page and content area placeholders sections to the attendees mostly from various government agencies. This develops as the Philippines positioned itself by interconnecting all government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations, local government units and state colleges and universities. Both ASTI and NCC-ICTO are under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The goal is to be able to share resources and data for efficient and effective public service.
PWAG President Jojo Esposa Jr., proposed some suggestions which include the use of accessible PDF files on all government documents as well as not discounting the distinct personality and individuality of each agency or LGU websites. He also committed PWAG to assist in the development of the web templates incorporating its accessibility and usability.
This initiative started when on June 23, 2011 an Executive Order 47 was issued, ordering ICTO to spearhead the program. After a series of consultations between ICTO, ASTI and partner government agencies, the iGovPhil Project was launched in June 2012. The goal, as stated in the EO, is to establish and use relevant mechanisms for interactive, interconnected and inter-operable government applications.
According to their official website, “Among the benefits of an interconnected government is the elimination of long queues in government offices that deal directly with the citizens. Imagine, for example, the crowds that form at the National Statistics Office, the Land Transportation Office or the Department of Foreign Affairs. The long lines will be eliminated as well as traffic congestion outside the government offices if people will do the transactions through their computers at home, office, Internet cafes or even malls.”
This will be possible if government agencies link up and share information and resources. And this is where iGovPhil comes in. It sets up the hardware, software, applications and everything that is needed to make the scheme work.
Among the team's objectives is to strictly implement the Joint NCDA-NCC Memorandum Circular of 2010 institutionalizing accessibility of Persons With Disabilities on all government websites. Other existing laws include the non-inclusion of Philippine flag, government seal and the transparency seal. To know more about their other projects, visit their official website at i.gov.ph or download their general web template guide presentation.
Comments are closed