The National Computer Center, through the eLGU project, conducted this year’s web site contest in partnership with the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communications (AIJC).  The contest had two categories for provincial, city, and municipal levels: the NCC-content management system (CMS)-based and independent categories.  The NCC–CMS based category is for LGU websites that used the NCC’s website template with online content management feature.  The independent category, on the other hand, was for those LGUs who used other web development tools.  Entries were judged according to functionality, content, presentation, originality, and citizen-centric and e-governance responsiveness.

There were five finalists each for the provincial, city and municipal levels in the independent category and three finalists for the NCC-CMS category.  But as in any contest, there can only be one winner.

The finalists for the provincial level were the provinces of Bataan, Benguet, Bohol, Bulacan, and Zamboanga del Sur.  But the honor of having the best web site went to Bulacan.  On the city level Escalante in Negros Occidental, Bayawan in Negros Oriental, Mandaue in Cebu, Naga City in Camarines Sur, and San Carlos in Negros Occidental battled it out in the finals and Naga City bested them all.  This is Naga City’s second straight win after bagging last year’s prize in the same category.  Another win for Naga City in next year’s contest will elevate them to the eLGU hall of fame and will hopefully give other cities a chance to win the prize.  At the municipal level, the municipality of Trinidad, Bohol won over Pandan, Antique; Calamaba, Misamis Occidental; Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

Under the NCC-CMS Category, Pateros in Metro Manila bagged the award besting Kalibo, Aklan and Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

The contest is an annual event open to all local government nationwide with an official LGU website and aims to encourage other LGUs to establish and maintain an online presence in the World Wide Web.  It is likewise meant to inspire LGUs who are already online to upgrade and enhance their sites to further improve the delivery of online service to the public.

Please find time to visit the winning websites and even those of the finalists so you can see for yourself the online services these LGUs offer.  Browsing through these sites made me forget the present state the country is in and offers a glimmer of hope that an e-government can make a difference in the delivery of services to the public as it cuts down on red tape and provides transparent governance.

Congratulations to the winners, although they were not totally unexpected.  I hope that with all the efforts the NCC-CICT and its partners are putting into the promotion of e-governance will bear much fruit this year so that we, the taxpayers, will get the services and benefits we so rightly deserve. 

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Jollibee and Informatics teamed up to offer free workshops in using Windows Movie Maker for Jollibee Kids Club members.  The workshops began last Saturday with two more sessions on April 1 and 8 at different Jollibee outlets in Megamall.

Microsoft Movie Maker is a free Windows application that enables users to import movies from digital cameras to computers. With Microsoft Movie Maker, users can edit their home movies and incorporate text, music, and graphical elements and then save them on a CD.