Over 50 percent of the 77 local government units (LGUs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) are expected to implement the electronic Business Permit and Licensing System (e-BPLS) by 2025.

Of the total, 25 are now ready to utilize the system in the first quarter next year, Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cordillera (DICT-Cordillera) Regional Director Reynaldo Sy said in an interview Wednesday.

He said five localities have ongoing data build-up and are expected to complete the preparation in time for first quarter renewal of business permits.

He said 15 have submitted their intent to provide the service and are in the process of laying down their e-readiness.

“They are also expected to complete the process by 2025,” Sy said.

The department held an online briefing for this topic during the day.

Sy said LGUs intending to provide the service ready its internal system and allow the DICT to provide the internet connectivity.

However, he said there are local governments such as Baguio City that already have a system and do not need DICT’s help in facilitating the online connectivity.

“Iyong ibang munisipyo kasi gumagamit ng ibang connectivity system like Starlink habang wala pang umaabot na internet connectivity sa kanila galing sa national broadband project (Some municipalities use other connectivity systems like Starlink while the national broadband project has yet to reach their areas),” he said.

Sy said they expect to fully put in place the internet broadband project in the Cordillera by yearend, which will give the region 10 megabits of additional bandwidth.

He said they faced difficulty in fasttracking the broadband project in the region due to the mountainous terrain.

“The terrain is difficult but it has advantages and disadvantages, and other available remedies have to be utilized to take advantage of the peaks of mountains,” he said.

Sy said radius signals were installed in peaks to throw internet signals in other areas, such as the one in Mt. Pulag in Kabayan and Bokod, Benguet, which provides internet connection to the municipalities of Tinoc in Ifugao and Kibungan, Mankayan, Bakun and Buguias in Benguet.

The focus now is to connect the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), he added. (PNA)