BIBLIOGRAPHY BERTO, JAYSON C. 2012. E-Readiness...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
BERTO, JAYSON C. 2012. E-Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government
Employees. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Christine Grace B. Sidchogan, MDC
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to assess the e-readiness of the La Trinidad Local Government
Unit employees. It aims to gauge their adoption and application of ICT tools in their workplace.
Specifically, the study aimed to : determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
identify the ICT infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU; identify the available ICT tools used by
the employees; determine the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the
respondents; determine the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT
readiness and application of the employees; identify the problems encountered by the employees
with regards to ICT use; and identify recommendation of the employees in improving their use
of ICT tools.
Survey questionnaire and interview schedules were used in data gathering. Data collected
were consolidated, analyzed and tabulated using frequency, percentage and weighted mean.
The result of the study shows that majority of the respondents belonged to the age bracket
of 30-38 and there were more females than male respondents. Most of them were married and a
college graduate.
With regards to the availability of ICT tools, television is the most common used audio
visual ICT tools, digital for camera, desktop for computers, printer for computer accessories and
cellular phone. The Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics was also included.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
On the other hand, their levels of expertise in hardware programs particularly in Audio
and AV players are excellent. They are very good in using camera, computer accessories and
phone. However, they are average in using the computers and the Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics.
The result of the study shows that the respondents’ level of expertise in using the web-
based programs like e-mail, blog and internet research are very good. However, they were
average in using the MS Office and Audio/AVP editing software.
The LGU La Trinidad is moderately supportive to the employees in terms of the
availability and accessibility of internet connection, accessibility of resources, upgrading ICT
tools and implementation of training or workshops.
With these, it is then recommended that the La Trinidad LGU should come up with an
ICT division managed by professional technicians and Information Technology specialists. The
LGU should initiate to implement or conduct trainings or workshops to enhance the employees’
skills with regards to ICT use.
The researcher also recommended that further studies on E-Readiness Assessment may
be conducted to LGUs or NGOs to have a comparison of the results and assess their e-
governance.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography………………………………………………………………..
i
Abstract …………………………………………………………………….
i
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………….
iii
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..
1
Rationale
……………………………………………………………..
1
Statement of the Problem …………………………………………….
2
Objectives of the Study ………………………………………………
3
Scope and Limitation of the Study …………………………………..
4
Importance of the Study ……………………………………………..
4
REVIEW OF LITERATURE ……………………………………………... ..
5
E-readiness
assessment
………………………………………………
5
ICT in the Local Government Sector ……………………………… …
6
E – Governance ……………………………………………………….
9
ICT in the Philippines …………………………………………………
10
E-Readiness Assessment
11
on the Benguet Provincial Capitol ………….
METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………………... ..
12
Respondents of the Study …………………………………………..
12
Data Collection ……………………………………………...……..
15
Data Gathered ………………………………………………………..
15
Data Analysis ………………………………………………………..
15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION …………………………………………….
Socio-demographic Profile of the Respondents ……………………..
16
Availability of ICT tools ……………………………………………..
18
Levels of Expertise in Using ICT Tools ……………………………..
22
Levels of Support of the La Trinidad LGU …………………………..
33
Problems Experienced by the Respondents
36
with Regards to ICT Use ……………………………………………..
SUMMARY, CONCLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary ………………………………………………………………
39
Conclusions …………………………………………………………….
40
Recommendations ………………………………………………………
41
LITERATURE CITED ………………………………………………………
42
APENDIX
A. Letter to the Respondents ………………………………………..
44
B. Survey Questionnaire ……………………………………………
45
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
One of the most pressing challenges of e-government development in developing
countries is lack of e-readiness assessment in order to sustain the appreciation, adoption
and application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools in providing
services.
Yet, digital integration, with its ICT infrastructure, and its applications of e-
government, e-learning, and other e-applications, is becoming of increasing importance
both nationally and internationally.
ICT tools have been a great influence in the services of various organizations and
most especially the government agencies. This is primarily meant for a more effective,
efficient and transparent government activities. The same is true in the Philippine setting.
With the demand for government offices to go away with the manual or tedious
paper works in delivery of public services, in order to save time; and be at par with
globalization, the Municipality of La Trinidad adopted the R.A 8792 or “Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000 as backed up by Administrative Order No. 332. This directs all
government agencies and instrumentalities including Local Government Units (LGUs) to
undertake electronic connection through the internet.
E-readiness assessments are meant to guide development efforts by providing
some suitable tools for comparison and gauging progress. Several e-readiness initiatives
have been launched to help LGUs in this area. Also, there are many factors why LGUs
need to become e-ready in motivating decision makers to improve e-readiness and
adoption of ICT tools in theirfield of services. One factor is that ICT tools promises
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
enormous benefits as part of the solution to economic and social problems and the
integration of ICT into development and aid programs.
ICT tools, when used properly offers a tremendous potential to empower people
in developing municipality to overcome development obstacles; to address the most
important social problems they face; and to strengthen communities, democratic
institutions, a free press, and local economies (USAID 2010).
However, experts have pointed out that in order for the local governments to put
ICT to effective use, they must be first “e-ready” in terms of ICT infrastructure and the
accessibility of ICT to the population (infoDev, 2005).
In La Trinidad-Local Government Unit (LGU), the process of switching to e-LGU
is on its way to being fully-developed. According to Mayor Abalos on his statement, the
municipality has recently revived the website in order to complete the transfer and access
of information which is also known as “real time”. Thus, this is one signal of resuming
the ICT development.
It is then interesting to analyze the e-readiness of the employees who are in the
field of ICT operations under the Office. The results are hoped to prompt awareness and
priorities for the planning and implementation of the program, hence this study.
Statement of the Problem
This study generally focused on the e-readiness assessment among the La
Trinidad LGU employees. Hence, it to answered the following questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents?
2. What are the available ICT tools used by the employees?
3. What are the employees’ level of expertise in using the ICT tools?
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
4. What are the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance ICT use to
the employees?
5. What are the problems experienced by the employees with regards to ICT
use?
6. What the recommendations of employees in improving their e-readiness?
Objectives of the Study
This study specifically aimed:
1. To determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
2. To identify the available ICT tools usedby the employees;
3. To determine the employees’ level of expertise in using the ICT tools;
4. To determine the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance ICT
skills of the employees;
5. To determine the problems experienced by the employees with regards to ICT
use; and
6. To list down the recommendations of the respondents in improving their
e-readiness.
Significance of the Study
Results of the study may enable the La Trinidad government come up with
possible strategies on how they will help the employees go through in the adaptation and
developing phase in the field of ICT use. Through this, LGU officials and employees
would know the problems, necessities and advantages on the improvement of their
performances with regards to ICT tools. It will also help the municipality to manage and
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
maximize the utilization of ICT tools for easy accomplishments of works and particularly
for the storage and retrieval of information.
Researchers may also use this study for verification of related information and for
comparison of results to other LGUs or NGOs.
Scope and Limitation
The study focusedon the assessment on the adoption and application of ICT tools
among the Local Government Unit employees. It was limited to the ICT infrastructure of
the La Trinidad LGU, resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the available ICT tools
used by the employees, the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the
respondents, the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT readiness
and application of the employees, the problems encountered by the employees with
regards to ICT use and, recommendation of the employees in improving their use of ICT
tools.
The information gathered in this study was limited to some rank and file
employees from different municipal offices. There were few respondents who
represented their office to answer the questionnaires.
The study was conducted from December 2011 to March 2012 in Km 5,
Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
E-Readiness Assessment
E-readiness is the degree to which a community is prepared to participate in the
networked world, which is gauged by assessing a community’s relative advancement in
the areas that are most critical for ICT adoption and the most important applications of
ICTs (CID, 2006).
According to Lavin and Qiang (2004), higher levels of e-readiness can create a
ripple effect, increasing the competitiveness of national economies, and their ability to
create wealth. Hence, employment empowerment to local communities leads to poverty
reduction. However, Picci (2006) stated on his research that though e-readiness measures
can provide useful summaries he pointed out that inherent difficulties arise when
attempting to measure the relevant extent, which most particularly the case in the local
government, where decision makers are required to satisfy their goals such as social
cohesion and environmental sustainability.
Thus, e-readiness assessment is generally defined as the degree to which a society
(particularly LGUs and NGOs) is prepared to participate in the digital economy with the
underlying concept that the digital economy can help to build a better economy. It would
also help the government to measure and plan for ICT integration, focus their efforts and
identify areas for further prioritization (INA Academy, 2008).
According to the infoDev (2005), e-readiness assessment has the following
factors in gauging whether the government has an access to ICT exploitation:
Physical Access to ICT.Most assessments calculated fixed line and mobile
teledensity, and internet access, but other ICT infrastructure was looked at less intensely.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
For instance, there are about twenty employees but the available computers are just five.
Thus, this could affect the employees in the fast accomplishment of their tasks.
Affordability of ICT in the Local Context.Despite significant variations in local
economic conditions and prices, all assessments found that most ICT access and use
prohibitively expensive for the majority of the governments. This is one of the greatest
obstacle to widespread the access of ICT tools.
Integration of ICT into People’s Lives.Few reports looked at how ICT was
integrated into people’s lives, whether the use of ICT was an additional burden (such as
the need to travel long distance to access telecentre services) , or whether it reduce a
burden (such as improved work efficiencies).
Government’s Role in Driving E-readiness. Governments were usually involved
in assessments, and most of the reports described the governments’ active involvement
and political will in this area. All assessments that mentioned public-private partnerships
were in agreement about their benefits.
ICT in Local Government Sector
Through the strategic use of Information and Communications Technologies
(ICT), to build a local government system which is seen as the first choice for the
delivery of a wide range of local services to all citizens, and a strategic partner with
central government in preparing for and implementing the Information Society (Doelg,
2000).
Local municipalities are fertile ground for the application of ICTs and the front
lines of the government in their service oriented interaction with the public and business
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
where there are electronic linkages to help in the integration of ICTs to the citizens
(Jensen, 2002).
Moreover, the internet gives the local government the opportunity to offer public
services and to provide information and policies more efficiently. The more public
services can be delivered through electronic media, such as the internet, the larger the
potential savings, processing documents such as licenses, or collecting taxes
electronically.
According to Suttle (2012), like businesses, state and federal government offices
use computers. Government employees must set up meetings and distribute various
reports. Computers help these workers expedite these tasks, as most government-issued
computers contain numerous software programs like word processing, spreadsheets and
database management programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer
uses in government offices also include various e-mail functions, payment distribution,
record keeping and even coordinating mailings.
E-mail Functions.Government offices that have computers usually have some
type of email system in place. Emails enable government workers to compose, send or
read emails from other workers and people outside the municipal offices.For example, a
state unemployment office employee might answer a person's question about eligibility
by email. This might inevitably save the worker time, as she would not need to speak
with the person by phone. Government employees might also use emails to distribute
copies of reports or presentations.
Distributing Payments.State and federal offices use computers to distribute
payments to people. These payments can be sent electronically like most Social Security
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
payments, or by check. For example, the Internal Revenue Service will usually issue
checks to people for refunds. Similarly, state treasury offices often send state refund
checks. Government offices also use computers to send or print disability, Medicare,
Medicaid and other payments. The checks are usually produced on various printers in the
government offices.
Record Keeping.The government often hires computer programmers or database
managers to maintain records of employees and citizens, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Most of these records are kept in large databases, which can store
records of people's gender, age, address, phone number and other important information.
Government offices also keep records of dates, such as when people file taxes, and
amounts that are due and paid. Computer record keeping is an essential function for
government offices because of the need for accuracy and timeliness--like for Medicaid
payments.
Direct-Mail Promotions.Some government agencies or offices might use
computers to produce various direct-mail advertising campaigns. Government workers
might produce these various documents on their computer, and then have them
professionally done through their printing office. Government workers will use various
name and address files to arrange the mailing, and then print them directly on envelopes
or brochures.
E-Governance
According to Alampay (2007), e-governance defines the ways that government
institutions, businesses and citizens are using electronic means for the purpose of
enhancing good democratic governance processes and for achieving better public service
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
delivery-based on transparency, accountability and public feedback mechanisms. As
added by UNESCO (2002) that e-government is the use of ICT to enable more efficient,
cost effective, and participatory government, facilitate more convenient government
services, allow greater public access to information and make government more
accountable to citizens.
The United Nations (2003) also stated e-government as a government that applies
ICT to transform its internal and external relationships. ICT allows a government’s
internal and external communications to gain speed, precision, simplicity, outreach and
networking capacity, leading to reduce costs and increase effectiveness. ICT can increase
the efficiency of an organization’s work by automating existing processes; it can improve
these processes by introducing changes; and it can even enable a fundamental rethinking
of the process.
Moreover, the e-government strategy is a fundamental element in modernizing the
public sector, through identifying and developing organizational structure, the ways of
interaction with citizens and business and reducing cost and layers of organizational
business processes. It provides a wide variety of information to citizens and business
through internet. However, the role of government is not only to provide information and
services to citizens, which could be provided by commercial firms. E-government can
develop the strategic connections between public sector organizations and their
departments, and make a communication between government levels. This is to support
the fast emergence of the ICT tools appropriate in the field of government
services.(Ebrahim and Zahir, 2005).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
The Philippines has recently identified five key reform packages where
information and communications technology (ICT) will play a key role: job creation
through economic growth, anti-corruption through good government, social justice and
basic needs, education and youth opportunity, and energy independence and savings
(Patricio, 2004). Such an important role of ICT can be seen in terms of the signing of the
Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, or the E-Commerce Act in June 2000. The law
mandates all government agencies to adopt electronic means in their transactions within a
period of two years (2000) of its signing (Mariano, 2004).
ICT in the Philippines
The Philippine government through the Commission on Information
Communication Technology (CICT) set up telecentres throughout the country as part of
the Community e-Center (CeC) program, to provide the general public with meaningful
and affordable access to ICT. LGUs have utilized the CeC model to offer various e-
governance services.
The National Audit Office on the other hand has published a review of how
government uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to deliver public
services particularly to inform the debate about government's new use of ICT, gives an
overview of existing uses, as well as initiatives and changes underway. It details a
number of big challenges the government faces in protecting and improving the value for
money of ICT and in ensuring that ICT is deployed fully in the drive to secure sustainable
cost reduction (Morse, 2011).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
E-readiness Assessment of the Benguet Provincial Capitol
According to Jose (2009), the results of her study on assessing the e-readiness
among the employees were interpreted according to some of the objectives, which are
also related to this manuscript. Based on the study, it was concluded that in 2009:
Each department is adequately equipped with computer, completed with basic
accessories but those are not used to their optimum levels due to the lack of knowledge
and skills of the employees.
The employees are willing to embrace and learn about ICT tools even they have
inadequate knowledge in operating these ICT tools.
There is a lack of training information with regards to the use of ICT tools.
Hence, there is a poor level of expertise.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted at the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
(Figure 1)
The La Trinidad government has recently revived and restructured their mode of
providing services through the adoption and utilization of ICT pursuing its purpose: as a
channel of public sentiment; means to empower people; and serve as a window to the
world.
The municipality is relatively the most developed settlement in the province of
Benguet because of its proximity to the City of Baguio. It is the gateway of the southern
lowlands into the Cordillera Region. Due to its advanced development, La Trinidad is
considered as one of the Central Business Districts of Benguet (La Trinidad Profile,
2011)
The study was conducted on December 2011 to March 2012.
Respondents of the Study
Table 1. The table shows the number of respondents from the thirteen municipal
offices of La Trinidad.
The respondents of the study were the employees of La Trinidad municipal office.
They were chosen through accidental sampling.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
MUNICIPAL OFFICES INCLUDED NO. OF RANK- AND-FILE RESPONDENTS
Mayor’s 9
Accounting
6
Planning and Development
5
Assessors 4
Engineering
4
Sanguniang Bayan
4
Budget Office
3
Social Welfare and Development
3
Treasury
3
Health
3
Legal 2
Agriculture 2
Civil Registrar
2
There were 50 respondents comprising the heads and rank and file employees
belonging to the 13 departments of the municipal office. Key informants were:
Christopher C. Bansan (Admin Aid Officer), Algernon Calvin M. Bangilan (Admin Aid
Officer), Chris L. Eban (Casual Aid Officer), Raquel O. Anas (Admin Aid Officer),
Francis A. Batnag (Legal Assisstant), Felipe P. Esnara (Engineer), and Marilyn M.
Mangeg (Admin Aid Officer).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Figure 1. Map of Benguet showing the locale of the study
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Data Collection
Survey questionnaireswere floated in different offices to gather the needed
information. Interview schedule wasalso used to gather data from key informants who
provided the ICT infrastructure of their offices.
The researcher did follow-up interviews with some heads and staffs in the offices
to fill the lacking information about the adoption and operation problems in ICT tools and
the ratio of ICT tools used by the employees in their respective offices.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, the ICT
infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU, resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the
available ICT tools used by the employees, the level of expertise in using the identified
ICT tools of the respondents, the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the
ICT readiness and application of the employees, the problems encountered by the
employees with regards to ICT use and, recommendation of the employees in improving
their use of ICT tools.
Data Analysis
The data collected were consolidated, tabulated and analyzed using descriptive
statistics like frequency counts and percentage.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio-demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 2 shows the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age,
sex, civil status, educational attainment and the years of service as an employee of Local
Government Unit at La Trinidad, Benguet.
Age and sex.There were more female (56%) respondents than male (38%)
respondents, majority of them belonged to the age bracket 30-38 (48%) followed by
38-47 (26%) and 21-29 (22%), respectively.
Civil status.There were thirty one (62%) married respondents; sixteen (32%)
single; and one (2%) widowed.
Educational Attainment.Thirty six (72%) of the respondents were college
graduate while seven (14%) of them have finished masteral degree. Only five (10%) were
in the college level and two (4%) finished vocational course.
This implies that regardless of their educational attainment, the respondents are
capable of using ICTs in delivering services.
Years of service.Most (32%) of the respondents have rendered 6 to 10 years of
service; 11 to 15 years (28%); and followed by less than 5 years of service (22%). Only 3
(6%) have rendered more than 21 years of service. This indicates that most of the
respondents have rendered service of not less than five years.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 2. Socio-demographic profile of the respondents
CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
%
________________________________________________________________________
Age
21-29
14
28
30-38
24
48
38-47
12
24
TOTAL 50
100
Sex
Male
21
42
Female
29
58
TOTAL 50
100
Civil Status
Single
16
32
Married
33
66
Widow/er
1
2
TOTAL 50
100
Highest Educational Attainment
College
level
5 10
College
graduate
34
68
Masters
9
18
Vocational
Graduate
2 4
TOTAL 50
100
Years of Service
5
or
less
years
12
24
6
to
10
years
16
32
11
to
15
years
14
28
16
to
20
years
5 10
More
than
21
years
3 6
TOTAL 50
100
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Availability of Information Communication Technology Tools
Identified by the Respondents and Frequency of Use
Table 3 shows the availability of ICT tools in different offices of La Trinidad –
LGU.
Audio and Audio Visual players.The results show that Audio and AVP as a
medium of information, TV ranked first with (98%) followed by the radio with (92%).
The researcher did an ocular observation and listed two TVs with cable
connection installed in the waiting area of the Municipal office and at the Mayor’s office.
The televisions were purposely installed not only for the employees’ benefit but also for
the clients to take time while waiting during tax payments and other transactions. The
presence of the television also helped the employees and clients acquire the latest news
since this is being used daily.
One respondent said that the use of television was not strictly limited to the
employees or even the public as long as the programs were purposive and appropriate to
them.
Camera. Table 3 shows that most of the respondents had digital camera (60%),
then followed by manual camera (56%). The DSLR (8%) and Handy Camera (8%) were
only identified available most at the Mayor’s and Accounting office and were used three
to four times a month.
This implies that digital camera is still affordable and suitable to the employees’
specialties in maximizing its use. However, due to inaccessibility of cameras in some
offices, the employees need to use their personal cameras.
According to Raquel O. Anas of the Municipal Planning and Development Office,
the presence of camera whether a digital or DSLR is only limited in some offices.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
However, the employees borrowed cameras from other offices if it is available. The
camera was a very important tool for photo documentation especially during seminars,
festival and other trainings conducted by the LGU.
Computers.Table 3 shows that the most available type of computer in different
offices is the desktop (98%) followed by the laptop (78%) and the Android APAD (8%).
Only two had the Handheld Palmtop (4%).
This shows that the LGU maximizes the use of desktop and laptop in their offices
since it is being used daily. Most of the employees used the flat screen monitor but, there
were still using the desktop PC. However, the respondents also claimed that not all
offices had computers.
In an interview with Felipe P. Esnara Jr. of the Engineering Office, he pointed out
that they experienced problems with the availability of computers in their office because
they only had four or five units. According to him, these were not enough since they are
required to produce documents using computers most of the time. There were more or
less fifteen employees in their office.
Computer Accessories.The results show that the printer (94%) was primary
available followed by the flash drive or the external hard drive (74%) and digital
photocopier (72%). The results also show that LCD projector (70%), scanner (68%), and
webcam (56%) are available in their respective offices.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 3. Availability of ICT tools identified by the respondents and frequency of use
ICT
TOOLS
FREQUENCY FREQUENCY MEAN
n=50
%
OF USE
μ
Audio and AV players
Television
49
98
Daily
5
Radio
46
92
1-3 times a week
4
DVD Player
44
88
3-4 times a month
3.1
CD Player
39
78
1-3 times a month
2.5
Camera
Digital/DigiCam
30
60
3-4 times a month
3.2
Manual/Instamatic
28
56
3-4 times a month
2.6
DSLR
4
8
1-3 times a month
1.75
Handy Camera
4
8
3-4 times a month
2.5
Computers
Desktop (PC)
49
98
Daily
4.65
Laptop/Notebook
39
78
Daily
4.62
Android APAD
4
8
1-3 times a week
4
Handheld Palmtop
2
4
-
-
Computer Accessories
Flash Drive/External HDD
37
74
1-3 times a week
4.25
Printer (LAN)
47
94
1-3 times a week
4.11
Digital Photocopier
36
72
3-4 times a month
2.72
LCD projector
35
70
3-4 times a month
2.31
Webcam
28
56
1-3 times a month
2.27
Scanner
34
68
1-3 times a month
2.18
Phone
Cellular
50
100
Daily
4.95
Landline
41
82
1-3 times a week
4.18
Others
Biometrics
43
86
Daily
5
Gw@ps Kiosk
38
76
3-4 times a month
2.88
Scale:
Frequency of Use
Mean
1-3 times a month
1.6-2.5
3-4 times a month
2.6-3.5
1-3 a week
3.6-4.5
Daily 4.6-5.5
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 3 shows that the flash drive or the external hard drive (4.25) and the printer
(4.11) were used at least once to thrice a week. This implies that the use of flash drive or
the external hard drive is very important device for the fast storage, retrieval and transfer
of files. Also, the printer was very helpful tool in printing high quality text and graphics.
However, one respondent shared that printers were not readily available in each
office, citing that some need to go to another office to print their files or documents in
case their respective printers were dysfunctional.
On the other hand, the presence of digital photocopier was also a helpful tool for
the reproduction of printed materials. This was used for office reports, communication
letters for copies and handouts for seminars.
Phone.Most of the respondents have cellular phone (94%) and forty one (82%)
are using the landline phone.
The results show that most of the respondents are using cellular phone daily
(4.95) while the landline is being used once to thrice a week.
This shows that the use of cellphone is also important in dealing with people
whether at home or at the workplace. There were some department heads and staffs who
have their calling cards purposively given to their clients for easy communication. The
use of landline on the other hand was very helpful tool also in communicating with some
LGUs, NGOs and other private sectors; however, it was minimized due to the presence of
cellphones.
Gw@ps Kiosk.The results show that most of the respondents included the Gw@ps
Kiosk or the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System which resembles an
automated teller machine (ATM) that has a touch screen monitor. But the Gw@ps kiosk
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
was not an ATM since it does not dispense money. This was developed in the GSIS and
make use of world-class technologies, such as radio frequency identification, biometrics,
and virtual private network to come up with a secure system that can perform processing
remotely in a paperless manner.
The results show that the Gw@ps Kiosk was used three to four times a month
(2.88).
According to an interview with Christopher C. Bansan of the Human Resource
Management, the Kiosk Gw@ps was adopted on September 13, 2010 so that employees
will no longer take time going to Baguio to have process loans and to update or browse
their database profile using their e-cards Plus.
Biometrics.Most of the respondents also included the availability of the
biometrics or the finger print clock. This tool is purposively installed at the opposite side
of the stairs – this is to avoid queue of the employees’ during their log in and out.
The researcher has observed there were two biometrics installed purposely for the
employees only. This was used daily for the employees’ attendance monitor since it
works independently without installing a computer unit. This identifies and records the
Daily Time Records (DTR) of the employees and served as the basis of presence and
absence of work.
Levels of Expertise in Using the ICT
ICT Tools. The level of expertise in terms of hardware was determined by
distributing and multiplying the frequency of the respondents in each of the given
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
descriptive equivalent. The result from each of the descriptive equivalents were added
then divided into the overall frequency of respondents.
On the other hand, the individual weighted mean of the identified hardware from
each category were added then divided to the number of variable to come up with its
weighted mean.
Table 4 shows that the respondents are “excellent” in using the television (4.88),
DVD player (4.88), CD player (4.70) and the radio (4.69).
As mentioned earlier, the frequency of use of the television by the employees is
daily, thus, the result was evident that they had a high level of expertise also with the
DVD and CD players. Some of them related that their expertise on the operation of the
Audio and AV players was acquired through peer teaching.
The respondents were also “excellent” in using the digital camera (4.70) and
average in the use of handy camera or the video cam (3.75). The level of expertise on the
use of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera was also “average” (2.69).
With these, it shows that most of the respondents know very much the operation
of the digital camera. They were also equipped with regards to the use of the handy
camera or video cam. However, they need to improve more their skills in using the DSLR
camera.
Anas also included that the proper operation of camera was very much important
to the employees in order to capture and get the best angle of the picture. This is so since
the LGU is on its track of conducting seminars and the yearly festival and other important
events.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Moreover, results show that the respondents were “very good” in using the
desktop (4) and laptop (3.83). This implies that their skills in using the computers were
sufficient enough for their work.
Francis A. Batnag of the Legal Office also claimed that the laptops and desktop
computers provided by the government were very much helpful to the employees even
though some were already obsolete. However, the employees still maximizes the
presence of ICT tools in their workplace in order to accomplish their daily tasks.
This relates to the report of Flynn (2009) that new emerging information and
communication technologies can no longer be ignored by individuals. They could bring
these technologies to their workplace whether government provides it or not. However,
like any technology, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Effectively managing the
risks and maximizing compliance on the new ICT’s proper use requires the development
of the comprehensive organizational policies. The presence of computers for each
employee will surely help the fast processing and completion of their tasks.
Further, the respondents were “very good” in using webcam (4.27), flash drive
(4.18) or external hard drive, printer (4), and digital photocopier (3.77). However, the
respondents were “average” in using scanner (3.43) and LCD projector (2.81).
This implies that the available computer accessories were maximized since these
were commonly used in their respective offices. The respondents however need to
improve more their skills in using the scanner and LCD projector. Some respondents
claimed that the LCD projector was mostly used by the head or assistant of the office
during seminars or conferences.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Obviously, the respondents claimed that they had an “excellent” level of expertise
in using cellular phone (4.62) and very good in using landline phone (4). This implies
that the respondents were “excellent” in operating their cellphones since they used it
daily in their workplace. Using the landline phone also is sufficient in the work of the
respondents since they know the proper operation during the communication.
On the other hand, there were about 80% who are used the Kiosk Gw@ps (3.05)
but most of them need to be assisted due to lack of operational knowledge. This implies
that the respondents need basic assistance in the operation of the Kiosk Gw@ps since this
was recently adopted by the LGU for transaction.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 4. Levels of expertise in using ICT tools
ICT
TOOLS
MEAN
DESCRIPTION
Audio and AV Players
Television
4.88
Excellent
DVD
player
4.88
Excellent
CD
player
4.70
Excellent
Radio
4.69
Excellent
Camera
Manual 4.94
Excellent
Digital
Camera 4.70
Excellent
Handy
Camera
(Video
Cam)
3.75
Very
Good
DSLR
2.69
Average
Computers
Desktop
4
Very
Good
Laptop
3.83
Very
Good
Android
APAD
1
Never
Used
Computer Accessories
Webcam
4.27
Very
Good
Flash
Drive/External
HDD
4.18
Very
Good
Printer
4
Very
Good
Digital
Photocopier
3.77
Very
Good
Scanner 3.43
Average
LCD
Projector
2.81
Average
Phone
Cellular 4.62
Excellent
Landline
4
Very
Good
Others:
Kiosk
Gw@ps
4
Very
God
Biometrics
3.05
Average
Grand
Mean
3.91
Very
Good
*Legend:
• (N) – I have never used this
• Poor (P) – I need more basic trainings/workshop
• Average (AV) – I need to improve my skills
• Very Good (VG) – My skills are sufficient for my work
• Excellent (E) – I am willing enough to teach this to others
Scale:
N
P
AV
VG
E
0.15-1.5 1.6-2.5
2.6-3.5 3.6-4.5 4.6-5.5
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Levels of Expertise in Software Programs
Table 5 shows the respondent’s level of expertise in software programs which
includes the Microsoft Office, Audio, AV and Photo Editing, and Web-based programs.
Software Programs.In terms of Microsoft Office,Table 5 shows that the
respondents are excellent in using the Microsoft Word (4.16). They are very good in
using the Microsoft excel (4) but have an average level in using the Publisher (3) and
PowerPoint (3.56). On the other hand, the respondents did not use both the Microsoft
Access Database (1.44) and FrontPage (1.54).
Generally, the respondents claimed that the MS word (94%), MS excel (84%),
MS PowerPoint (82%) and MS Publisher (77%) were purposively used for office
documentation and assignments. The MS Access Database (55%) and MS FrontPage
(41%) were used by the respondents to learn more new things such of these.
With these, it shows that the MS word is the common office software used by the
employees in their workplace. The respondents indicated that most of the time, they used
MS Word in doing reports, letters and other paper works such as encoding and editing.
This relates to the study of Pratt (2010) that MS Word is one of the most widely
used word-processing programs. Word-processor programs primarily allow users to
create and edit text documents. Typical use may include writing an essay or report,
creating a resume, or writing notes. In addition, work can be presented in the form of
inserted tables, diagrams or pictures.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 5. Levels of expertise in software programs
SOFTWARE
PROGRAMS
MEAN
DESCRIPTION PURPOSE
%
Microsoft Office
Word
4.16
Excellent
1 94%
Excel
4.0
Very
Good
1 82%
PowerPoint
3.56
Average 1 84%
Publisher
3.0
Average 1 83%
FrontPage
1.54
Never
used
3 41%
Access
Database
1.44
Never
used
3 55%
Grand Mean 2.96
Average
Audio, AV/P Editing Software
Adobe
Photoshop
3.10
Average 1 23%
Moviemaker
2.33
Poor
2
5%
Grand Mean 2.71
Average
Web-based Programs
Internet Research
4
Very Good
1
91%
Social Networking
4.14
Very Good
4
79%
Grand Mean 4.07
Very Good
Legend 1:
•
(N) – I have never used this
Scale:
•
Poor (P) – I need more basic trainings/workshop
N
–
0.15-1.5
•
Average (AV) – I need to improve my skills
P – 1.6-2.5
•
Very Good (VG) – My skills are sufficient for my work
AV – 2.6-3.5
•
Excellent (E) – I am willing enough to teach this to others
VG – 3.6-4.5
E – 4.6-5.5
Legend 2:
•
1 – For office documentation reports and assignments
•
2 – To enhance more what I know
•
3 – To learn more new things
•
4 – For social networking
On the other hand, the respondents were also very good in using the MS excel. This
proves that the MS Excel is also designed for the employees to use in computations or
even in tabulating data for record files.
According to Chris L. Eban of the Budget Office, when he said that the MS excel
is very much useful not only for computations of figures but also for cataloguing –
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
transferring of hard copy into e-copy. Although it is difficult to transfer, the MS excel is
still an advantageous office software because of its design and specifications, according
to him. In using such office requires patience in exploring the functions of each of the
icons in order to discover more the specialties provided by the software.
This supports Kelly (2010), emphasizing that MS Excel is an important tool in
management of an organization, one of the most important features is that it can be used
as a database where all the information regarding employees, production, products and
consumers can be stored. Excel with therefore act at a data base in the organization where
data can be added, manipulated and deleted.
Moreover, the Budget Office worked to consolidate, review and prepare budget
proposals from different departments for hearings. This was to provide budget updates to
the municipal and barangay officials including the general public. With these, the use of
MS word and excel was very much applicable in making reports particularly the general
and specific funds, statement of cash flow of budget.
Also, the Health Office uses MS word and excel since this was the common
software programs used in delivering services. One respondent claimed that MS word
was used in making communication letters, reports and calendar of activities as to MS
excel which is being maximized in tabulation and chart.
The Treasury and Accounting Office also maximizes the operation of MS word
and MS excel since the office was in charge of providing financial information and
disbursements of the municipal funds entrusted by the law. The MS Word and MS Excel
is very much used in reproducing reports such as statement of receipts, expenditures and
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
total revenue receipts through tabulation and graphs. The use of MS Word and MS Excel
helps provide understandable information to the public in their respective bulletins.
According to Marilyn M. MangegAdmin Aid officer of the Agriculture Office,
though the office was still using 2003 version MS office, this was still maximized in
making documents. The MS word was used for communication letters and researches.
The MS PowerPoint was also commonly used programs since the office implements
extension services such as seminars and workshops for farmers. Doing so was very
advantageous to the participants of the seminar since the MS Word was used in
reproducing hand-outs for lecture and MS PowerPoint to show pictures and
demonstrations.
The Engineering Office also initiate, review and recommend changes in policies
and objectives, plans and programs, techniques, procedures and practices in infrastructure
development and public works in general of the local government concerned. With these,
the most of the respondents from the office have a “very good” level of expertise in using
MS word and MS excel since they often used the software programs in making
flowcharts, reports, and other documents. There were some respondents also who are
very good in using AutoCAD in their workplace. This is used provide a blueprint or a
perspective in construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of roads and bridges
and other engineering and public projects of the LGU.
Furthermore, the Planning and Development Office conducted continuing studies,
researches and training programs necessary for implementation. The respondents from
the office claimed that the MS Office was very much applicable to their work but lacks
expertise in particularly in MS Database. The MS Word and MS Excel were also used in
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
providing preliminary statistics as basis for planning and researches, provide project
proposals/feasibility studies for possible fund sourcing and provide technical services in
infrastructure projects, technical surveys and social projects.
The respondents also claimed that the use of MS PowerPoint was really
applicable to their work since most of them preferred to use in their seminars for lecture.
However, the respondents still need to improve more their knowledge in MS
PowerPoint through exploring more of its functions.
Generally, the respondents need to improve their skills with regards to the use of
the Microsoft Office especially MS Publisher and PowerPoint since most of them
identified that this is applicable to their work documentation and assignments.
In terms of Audio, Audio Visual and Photo editing software, Table 5 shows that
the respondents have an average level of expertise in editing photos (3.10) and poor level
of expertise in editing videos (2.33). The respondents claimed this so since this are not
applicable to their work. However, such simply that they might want to improve their
skills on this software.
The result shows that most of the respondents did not use much the video, audio
and photo editing software. Most of the respondents claimed that such editing was only
done by the employees who were tasked to edit videos and photos. There were some
respondents from the Mayor’s Office who really specialize the use of Photoshop and
MovieMaker since most of the time they were in charge of doing the photo enhancement
for exhibit and video clips assigned by the different offices. However, some of them also
related that since the installer of these software were quite expensive, they did not chose
to acquire it, more so that it was not needed in their work.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
In terms of the expertise in using web-based programs,the result shows that the
respondents are very good in using the internet in both research (4) and social networking
(4.14) sites.
The respondents were knowledgeable in terms of electronic research and social
networking. Anas said that some employees practiced their expertise in e-mail, blogging
and Facebook during their convenient time. However, most of the respondents were not
knowledgeable in the building of the LGU website.
This supports Homburg (2008), who said that the potential in using the internet in
government offices is very crucial to the employees because it will enhance their
perspectives in service delivery or transactions and increase their ideas through
knowledge-based sites as seen in the growing literature of e-governance.
On the other hand, internet was one source of software for installation used in
different offices. This could offer a lot of software downloaded for free or could be
bought online. Thus, most of the employees depended on the products from the internet
with regards to software downloads.
Moreover, Bansan explained that because of the fast emergence of free software
downloaded from the internet, employees could easily and freely acquire from it, hence,
most of the software used in the thirteen offices were pirated. The original installer of
software was no different from the pirated copy. The difference was its cost.
According to Algermon Calvin M. Bangilan of the Mayor’s Office, they had to
hire a professional Information Technologist from another region in order to develop the
official La Trinidad website.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Generally, results indicated that the respondents’ level of expertise in using
software programs ranged from average to very good. Moreover, only few of the
respondents maximize the use of all software programs and some software programs are
not applicable to their work.
Level of Support of the La Trinidad LGU
with regards to ICT Skill of the Employees
In terms of the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU, it was moderately
supportive which means that they have provided some of the employees need in terms of
ICT tools.
Table 6 shows that the level of support given by the LGU to the employees was
moderately supportive in terms of the availability and accessibility of internet connection
(1.86); accessibility of resources (2.14); and implementation of training/workshops
related to ICT use. This means that the LGU have provided the internet access in
different offices.
With this, it was evident that the LGU was moving towards e-government.
However, Bangilan recommended that the internet connection in different offices would
be better if it was controlled by a single server. This accessibility of internet to the
employees would be difficult because of the very low speed provided by the LGU. This
may affect other employees who access the internet for research. Thus, the LGU should
come up with a faster and reliable internet access to the offices.
This relates to the study of Gupta and Zweig (2004) emphasizing that in the
modern office the internet links the organization to the outside world, making it more
easier and cost effective for employees to coordinate and transact with their clients or
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
customers. These technologies allow co-employees to work in different geographical
locations. This is because distance-separated team members can be monitored and
connected by communication technologies that allow supervision even at a distance.
Table 6. LGU La Trinidad levels of support in the enhancement of the employees’ ICT
skills
SUPPORTS PROVIDED
MEAN
DESCRIPTION
Accessibility of resources
2.14 Moderately Supportive
Accessibility
and
availability
1.86
Moderately Supportive
of internet connection
Implementation of training
1.84 Moderately Supportive
or workshops related to ICT use
Upgrading ICT tools (changing of obsolete
1.54 Less Supportive
Software and hardware to new)
Grand Mean
1.84 Moderately Supportive
Legend: 1 – Less Supportive (LS) They give less priorities to ICT needs
2 - Moderately supportive (MS) They have provided most of the things I needs
with this matter
3 - Very Supportive (VS) I am satisfied with what they provide. They provide
needs of the office
Scale:
LS
MS
VS
0.15-1.5
1.6-2.5 2.6-3.5
On the other hand, the result shows that the LGU is less supportive enough in
terms of upgrading ICT tools or changing the obsolete into latest tools.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
However, Bansan explained that the respondents who chose to consider the
LGU’s less support was in terms of the software programs. He said this so since there
were some employees who depend on the free software downloads from the internet
because of unavailability of original software provided by the LGU.
However, acquiring of new ICT tools requires an official process that depends on
the yearly budget allocation. He further explained that the replacement or repairs of any
units outside the office will be spent from their budget appropriation in their respective
offices.
On the other hand, the LGU adopted computerization in terms of software
applications. The Municipal Planning and Development Office have recently adopted and
applied the “Digitization” of different barangays in La Trinidad. This is by the use of the
Natural Resources Database NRDB software for the developing and distributing
environmental databases. However, this requires a Windows-based computer and
requires only standard desktop peripherals such as a scanner and a printer.
Also, Anas said that the Community Based Monitoring System was adopted by
the LGU in 2008 which was created by the CBMS Program Office in 2002. This provides
the LGU a local-level census of poverty indicators, measurement of many dimensions of
poverty and the identification of households that were poor in each dimension.
Moreover, the La Trinidad - LGU also adopted the computerization of Real
Property Tax System which provides an automated system for assessing taxes due on real
estate properties performed by the Assessor’s office.
However, it was mentioned by some respondents that when these software
programs were required to them, they learned most of how to use it through peer
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
teaching. Although they were oriented on how to use it at first, when they were using it
already, they had to seek other people’s assistance.
Such imply that there was a minimal support to the employees in terms of
providing trainings or seminars to enhance their ICT skills. This is because there were
some employees who are not open-minded in terms of the use of ICT tools in their
workplace, Bansan added.
Problems Experienced by the Employees
in Starting and Improving ICT Use
The researcher used an open-ended survey questionnaire in identifying the
problems of LGU employees in ICT use. The problems are categorized in terms of
personal, technical, resource and support.
As it is reflected in Table 7, some respondents indicated one of their personal
problems with regards to ICT use was that the radiation of the computers affects their
eyes when used for several hours. They emphasized that because of the strong brightness
of their computer screen, it was more likely to weaken their eyesight. Thus, they
recommended ICT tool that is a specialized eyewear to protect their eyesight especially to
old employees.
On the other hand, the respondents claimed that they had no official technician at
their respective offices to replace or repair defective ICT tools, hence, most of the time
they brought it to a private technician. This was supported by one of the respondents
pointing out that because of the absence of an ICT administration or personnel; it could
affect the functions or services of the offices due to unmonitored utilization of ICT tools.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Moreover, due to no restrictions of internet use among the employees, it results to
a slow access and even spread of viruses in computer units. This is due to some units
were not updated of Anti-Virus since not all of the units have the connection of internet
for automatic update. Also, the unrestricted use of software downloads in different
websites lead to the spread of virus to the computers.
Table 7.Identified problems of the employees with regards to ICT use.
PROBLEMS
Personal
The radiation of computers affects the eyes of the employees
Technical
There is no official technician. No maintenance administrator of ICT
Lack of knowledge in hardware maintenance and software installation
There are no available parts for hardware replacements
Spread of virus in computer units
Slow internet connection
No restriction on use of internet access
Resource
Lack of computers in some offices
High cost of original software
Support
LGU- Lack of trainings or workshop/hands on to enhance more the skills
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
According to Mayor Gregorio T. Abalos Jr. as quoted by Anas, the internet access
in the different offices should be used purposively for task-based only and avoid of
overusing for personal pleasures.
This supports the report of Triallon (2009) that despite the great benefits the
internet gives businesses or services, office heads also need to control what their
employee’s access and how they use it. Many times, internet access is an open invitation
to waste time. Many employees increasingly participate in Internet chat, personal e-
mailing, and online shopping and bill-paying. Gupta (2004) also included that although
the potential for improving the productivity through ICTs are clear, there are also
problems related to the misuse of the internet. For instance, providing access to the
internet in the workplace may give employees the opportunity to use it for self-gain and
other activities that go beyond official purposes.
Most of the respondents claimed that the LGU lacks initiatives in implementing
trainings or workshops regarding the application of ICT use. The respondent specified
that there was a proposal being initiated by some offices to conduct a workshop and
seminars regarding the software applications but was not pursued due to lack of quota for
participants.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study was conducted from December 2010 to March 2012 at the Municipality
of La Trinidad.
The study focused on the e-readiness assessment of the Local Government Unit of
La Trinidad. Specifically, the study was conducted to determine were the socio-
demographic profile of the respondents, the ICT infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU,
resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the available ICT tools used by the employees,
the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the respondents, the level of
support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT readiness and application of the
employees, the problems encountered by the employees with regards to ICT use and,
recommendation of the employees in improving their use of ICT tools.
There were 50 respondents and seven key informants coming from the different
offices/departments of the LGU.
The result of the study shows that majority of the respondents belonged to the age
bracket of 30-38 and there were more females than male respondents. Most of them were
married and a college graduate.
With regards to the availability of ICT tools, television is the most common used
audio visual ICT tools, digital for camera, desktop for computers, printer for computer
accessories and cellular phone. The Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics was also included.
On the other hand, their levels of expertise in hardware programs particularly in
Audio and AV players are excellent. They are very good in using camera, computer
accessories and phone. However, they are average in using the computers and the Kiosk
Gw@ps and biometrics.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
The result of the study shows that the respondents’ level of expertise in using the
web-based programs like e-mail, blog and internet research are very good. However, they
were average in using the MS Office and Audio/AVP editing software.
The LGU La Trinidad is moderately supportive to the employees in terms of the
availability and accessibility of internet connection, accessibility of resources, upgrading
ICT tools and implementation of training or workshops.
Generally, the problems experienced by the respondents include the slow internet
access, lack of training or workshops with regards to ICT use, lack of computers in some
offices and lack of knowledge in hardware maintenance and software installation.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were obtained:
1. The employees of the La Trinidad LGU are e-ready in the adoption and
applications of hardware tools such as computers and software programs particularly the
MS office and the social networking including the major software used only in their
respective offices.
2. Some offices or department in the municipal office are inadequately equipped
with ICT tools.
3. Expertise in using ICT tools including the software is in accordance to the needs
and functions of the departments.
4. Similar to other organizations’ experiences in using ICT, personal, technical and
resource-related problems are experienced by the employees in LGU-La Trinidad.
5. Support of LGU is essential to enhance e-readiness of its employees.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following
recommendations are formulated:
1.
The La Trinidad LGU may come up with an ICT division managed by
professional technicians or IT specialists to strengthen the ICT infrastructure.
2.
The LGU may implement trainings or workshops with regards to ICT use
to lessen the ICT divide.
3.
E-readiness assessment and applications in other LGUs or NGOs may also
be conducted for evaluation of the feasibility of e-governance and its development to the
offices.
4.
To get the over-all e-readiness assessment, other researchers may opt to
conduct wider research in the same office by including all employees in the study.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
LITERATURE CITED
ABALOS, G. T. 2011. Mayor’s Address. Retrieved December 10, 2011 from
http://latrinidad.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161&It
emid=321.
ALAMPAY, G. 2007. ICT and Good Governance.Retrieved November 3, 2011 from
http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/12.pdf/.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 2006. Introduction to E-
Readiness. Retrieved December 3, 2011 from http://www.ejisdc. org/ojs2/ index.
php/ejisdc/ article/ view/219/184.
KELLY, C. 2010. Use of MS Excel in Management.Retrieved March 10, 2012 from
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ment-2193298.html.
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E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
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E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Republic of the Philippines
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY
La Trinidad, Benguet
College of Agriculture
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
GOALS and
January 26, 2012
OBJECTIVES
The Department exists
to:
HON. GREGORIO T. ABALOS JR.
1. Provide inst
ruction for
Municipal Mayoor
the acquisitio
n of
La Trinidad, Benguet
relevant kno
wledge and
skills essen tial to
developmen
t
SirAbalos Jr.:
communicat
ion work;
Greetings!
2. Provide traini
ng ground
for developm
ent
I am a 4th year College student of Benguet State University, taking up
communicat
ors who will
Bachelor of Science in Development Communication. One of the requirements
uphold the ideals an
d
needed for us to graduate is to complete a thesis. At present, I am conducting my
standards of instructi
on,
thesis titled “E-Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Unit
research and extensio
n in
Employees”. This entails conducting interviews with some of the department
the fields of developm
ent
heads and floatsurvey questionnairesto staffs.
journalism, communi
ty
In this regard, may I request for an interview with the heads of different
broadcasting and
departments and float my survey questionnaires to the respective staffs? This will
educational
provide me with the desired data for my study.
communication;
Rest assured that the data will be used for academic purposes only.Thank
3. Create innovative
you very much and your positive response to this request is highly anticipated.
alternative
communication
strategies and
opportunities that shall
Respectfully yours,
draw the full potentials
of learners and
practitioners of print,
JAYSON C. BERTO
radio, and television.
Researcher
4. To conduct researches or
field studies; and
Noted:
5. To formulate and
implement extension and
development programs.
CHRISTINE GRACE B. SIDCHOGAN
Adviser
Office Address:
2nd floor, College of
Agriculture Complex,
Benguet State
University, La Trinidad,
ANNA LIZA B. WAKAT
Benguet
Department Chairperson
Email Address:
devcombsu@yahoo.com.
ph
APPENDIX B
Survey Questionnaire
For the Respondents
E-READINESS ASSESSMENT OF LA TRINIDAD LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
This study aims to assess the e-readiness and application of La Trinidad Local
Government Unit employees specifically it aims to determine the status of employees on
adoption and application of ICT tools.
All information in the questionnaire will be treated confidentially and will be used for
academic purposes only. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CAREFULLY AND ANSWER
HONESTLY.
I.
RESPONDENT’S PERSONAL DATA
1. Name: __________________________________________________
2. Age: ________
3. Gender:
Male
Female
4. Civil
Status:
Single
Widow/Widower
Married Separated
5. Highest Educational Attainment:
Elementary
level
Vocational
level
Elementary
graduate
Vocational
graduate
Secondary
level Masters
Secondary
graduate
Doctorate
College
level
College
graduate
6. No. of Years in Government Service: ________
7. Office/Department: _________________________________________
II. Availability and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.
Put a check mark under the appropriate column if the enumerated ICT tools are available in your office and also if it is owned
or office property.
Put a check mark also on your levels of expertise in using the identified ICT tools and how often you use it (office or home)?
Legend:
Levels of Expertise
Frequency
of
Use
1 – Never - I have never used this
1 – Never used it
2 – Poor -I need more basic training/assistance
2 – I use it at least once to thrice a month
3- Average - I need to improve my skills
3 – I use it three to four times a month
4 – Very Good - My skills are sufficient for my work
4 – I use it at least once to thrice a week
5 – Excellent- I am open/willing enough to teach this to others
5 – I use it daily
ICT TOOLS
AVAILABILITY
OWNERSHIP
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY OF
EXPERTISE
USE
YES
NO
OWNED
OFFICE
1
2 3 4 5
1
2
3 4 5
PROPERTY
AUDIO AND AV
PLAYERS
TV
DVD
player
CD
player
Radio
ICT TOOLS
AVAILABILITY
OWNERSHIP
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY OF
EXPERTISE
USE
CAMERA YES
NO
OWNED
OFFICE
1 2 3
4
5
1
2
3 4 5
PROPERTY
Manual/Automatic
Digital
Camera/Digicam
DSLR
COMPUTERS
Desktop
Laptop
Handheld
(Palmtop)
APAD
COMPUTER
ACCESSORIES
Scanner
Webcam
Printer
(LAN)
Wireless
Printer
Flash Drive (USB disk)
LCD
Projector
Digital
Photocopier
Dot
Matrix
Biometrix
PHONE
Cellphone
Telephone
Others please specify…
II.b. Use of Software programs
Please answer the identified software with a checkmark. This will answer what are the software programs you know to operate.
How often do you use it? And what’s your purpose of using it?
Legend:
Level of Expertise
Frequency
of
Use
Purpose
of
Using
1 – I have never used this
1 – I never used it
1 – for office documentation
2 – I need more basic training/Assistance
2 - I use it at least once to twice a month
reports and assignments
3 – I need to improve my skills
3 – I use it three to four times a month
2 –to enhance more what I
4 – My skills are sufficient for my work
4 – I use it at least once to thrice a week
know
5 – I am open enough to teach this to others
5 – I use it daily
3 –to learn more new things
4 – for social networking
SOFTWARE
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY USE
PURPOSE
APPLICATION
PROGRAMS
EXPERTISE
MICROSOFT OFFICE
1
2
3
4
5
1
2 3 4
5 1 2
3 4 Applicable Not applicable
to my
to my work
work
MS Word
MS Excel
MS Publisher
MS
PowerPoint
MS
Frontpage
MS
Access
Database
Others
please
specify:
AUDIO,
VIDEO,DRAWING &
PHOTO EDITING
Audacity
Moviemaker
Adobe
Premiere
Power Director
Corel Draw
Photo
Impression
Adobe
Pagemaker
Adobe
Photoshop
AutoCad
Others
please
specify:
WEB-BASED
PROGRAMS
Internet
research
(www)
Social networking
• E-mail
• Blogging
• Yahoo messenger
Others
please
specify:
III. Levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance the skills of employees with regards to ICT use.
Please put a check mark to level the support of the La Trinidad LGU.
Legend:
Levels of Support
1 – Less supportive (NS) – They give less priorities to ICT needs
2 – Moderately Supportive (MS) – they have provided most of the things I need with this matter
3 – Very Supportive (VS) – I am satisfied with what they provide. They provide the needs of the office.
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
1
2
3
LS
MS
VS
Accessibility and availability of internet connection
Accessibility of resources
Upgrading ICT tools (changing of obsolete hardware and
software to the latest )
Implementation of trainings/workshops related to ICT use
Others please specify:
IV. Problems experienced by the employees in starting and improving ICT use.
v.i. PERSONAL PROBLEMS
In terms of :
Problems
Recommendations/Suggestion
Age
Sex
Economic Status
Degree (Course
Attained)
Willingness to learn
ICT tools
Others please
specify:
v.ii. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
Problems
Recommendations
Hardware maintenance (Computers,
printers,scanner, etc)
Network Connections (connections of
computers such as LAN or wireless)
Others please specify:
v.iii. RESOURCE PROBLEM
In terms of:
Problems
Recommendations
Accessibility of ICT tools
Availability of ICT tools
Others please specify:
v.iv. SUPPORT PROBLEM
Problems
Recommendations
Trainings (for
enhancement)
Peer teaching
(willingness of
colleagues to teach you
use any ICT facility)
Others please specify:
BERTO, JAYSON C. 2012. E-Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government
Employees. Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Christine Grace B. Sidchogan, MDC
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to assess the e-readiness of the La Trinidad Local Government
Unit employees. It aims to gauge their adoption and application of ICT tools in their workplace.
Specifically, the study aimed to : determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
identify the ICT infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU; identify the available ICT tools used by
the employees; determine the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the
respondents; determine the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT
readiness and application of the employees; identify the problems encountered by the employees
with regards to ICT use; and identify recommendation of the employees in improving their use
of ICT tools.
Survey questionnaire and interview schedules were used in data gathering. Data collected
were consolidated, analyzed and tabulated using frequency, percentage and weighted mean.
The result of the study shows that majority of the respondents belonged to the age bracket
of 30-38 and there were more females than male respondents. Most of them were married and a
college graduate.
With regards to the availability of ICT tools, television is the most common used audio
visual ICT tools, digital for camera, desktop for computers, printer for computer accessories and
cellular phone. The Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics was also included.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
On the other hand, their levels of expertise in hardware programs particularly in Audio
and AV players are excellent. They are very good in using camera, computer accessories and
phone. However, they are average in using the computers and the Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics.
The result of the study shows that the respondents’ level of expertise in using the web-
based programs like e-mail, blog and internet research are very good. However, they were
average in using the MS Office and Audio/AVP editing software.
The LGU La Trinidad is moderately supportive to the employees in terms of the
availability and accessibility of internet connection, accessibility of resources, upgrading ICT
tools and implementation of training or workshops.
With these, it is then recommended that the La Trinidad LGU should come up with an
ICT division managed by professional technicians and Information Technology specialists. The
LGU should initiate to implement or conduct trainings or workshops to enhance the employees’
skills with regards to ICT use.
The researcher also recommended that further studies on E-Readiness Assessment may
be conducted to LGUs or NGOs to have a comparison of the results and assess their e-
governance.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Bibliography………………………………………………………………..
i
Abstract …………………………………………………………………….
i
Table of Contents ………………………………………………………….
iii
INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………..
1
Rationale
……………………………………………………………..
1
Statement of the Problem …………………………………………….
2
Objectives of the Study ………………………………………………
3
Scope and Limitation of the Study …………………………………..
4
Importance of the Study ……………………………………………..
4
REVIEW OF LITERATURE ……………………………………………... ..
5
E-readiness
assessment
………………………………………………
5
ICT in the Local Government Sector ……………………………… …
6
E – Governance ……………………………………………………….
9
ICT in the Philippines …………………………………………………
10
E-Readiness Assessment
11
on the Benguet Provincial Capitol ………….
METHODOLOGY ………………………………………………………... ..
12
Respondents of the Study …………………………………………..
12
Data Collection ……………………………………………...……..
15
Data Gathered ………………………………………………………..
15
Data Analysis ………………………………………………………..
15
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION …………………………………………….
Socio-demographic Profile of the Respondents ……………………..
16
Availability of ICT tools ……………………………………………..
18
Levels of Expertise in Using ICT Tools ……………………………..
22
Levels of Support of the La Trinidad LGU …………………………..
33
Problems Experienced by the Respondents
36
with Regards to ICT Use ……………………………………………..
SUMMARY, CONCLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATION
Summary ………………………………………………………………
39
Conclusions …………………………………………………………….
40
Recommendations ………………………………………………………
41
LITERATURE CITED ………………………………………………………
42
APENDIX
A. Letter to the Respondents ………………………………………..
44
B. Survey Questionnaire ……………………………………………
45
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
One of the most pressing challenges of e-government development in developing
countries is lack of e-readiness assessment in order to sustain the appreciation, adoption
and application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) tools in providing
services.
Yet, digital integration, with its ICT infrastructure, and its applications of e-
government, e-learning, and other e-applications, is becoming of increasing importance
both nationally and internationally.
ICT tools have been a great influence in the services of various organizations and
most especially the government agencies. This is primarily meant for a more effective,
efficient and transparent government activities. The same is true in the Philippine setting.
With the demand for government offices to go away with the manual or tedious
paper works in delivery of public services, in order to save time; and be at par with
globalization, the Municipality of La Trinidad adopted the R.A 8792 or “Electronic
Commerce Act of 2000 as backed up by Administrative Order No. 332. This directs all
government agencies and instrumentalities including Local Government Units (LGUs) to
undertake electronic connection through the internet.
E-readiness assessments are meant to guide development efforts by providing
some suitable tools for comparison and gauging progress. Several e-readiness initiatives
have been launched to help LGUs in this area. Also, there are many factors why LGUs
need to become e-ready in motivating decision makers to improve e-readiness and
adoption of ICT tools in theirfield of services. One factor is that ICT tools promises
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
enormous benefits as part of the solution to economic and social problems and the
integration of ICT into development and aid programs.
ICT tools, when used properly offers a tremendous potential to empower people
in developing municipality to overcome development obstacles; to address the most
important social problems they face; and to strengthen communities, democratic
institutions, a free press, and local economies (USAID 2010).
However, experts have pointed out that in order for the local governments to put
ICT to effective use, they must be first “e-ready” in terms of ICT infrastructure and the
accessibility of ICT to the population (infoDev, 2005).
In La Trinidad-Local Government Unit (LGU), the process of switching to e-LGU
is on its way to being fully-developed. According to Mayor Abalos on his statement, the
municipality has recently revived the website in order to complete the transfer and access
of information which is also known as “real time”. Thus, this is one signal of resuming
the ICT development.
It is then interesting to analyze the e-readiness of the employees who are in the
field of ICT operations under the Office. The results are hoped to prompt awareness and
priorities for the planning and implementation of the program, hence this study.
Statement of the Problem
This study generally focused on the e-readiness assessment among the La
Trinidad LGU employees. Hence, it to answered the following questions:
1. What is the socio-demographic profile of the respondents?
2. What are the available ICT tools used by the employees?
3. What are the employees’ level of expertise in using the ICT tools?
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
4. What are the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance ICT use to
the employees?
5. What are the problems experienced by the employees with regards to ICT
use?
6. What the recommendations of employees in improving their e-readiness?
Objectives of the Study
This study specifically aimed:
1. To determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents;
2. To identify the available ICT tools usedby the employees;
3. To determine the employees’ level of expertise in using the ICT tools;
4. To determine the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance ICT
skills of the employees;
5. To determine the problems experienced by the employees with regards to ICT
use; and
6. To list down the recommendations of the respondents in improving their
e-readiness.
Significance of the Study
Results of the study may enable the La Trinidad government come up with
possible strategies on how they will help the employees go through in the adaptation and
developing phase in the field of ICT use. Through this, LGU officials and employees
would know the problems, necessities and advantages on the improvement of their
performances with regards to ICT tools. It will also help the municipality to manage and
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
maximize the utilization of ICT tools for easy accomplishments of works and particularly
for the storage and retrieval of information.
Researchers may also use this study for verification of related information and for
comparison of results to other LGUs or NGOs.
Scope and Limitation
The study focusedon the assessment on the adoption and application of ICT tools
among the Local Government Unit employees. It was limited to the ICT infrastructure of
the La Trinidad LGU, resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the available ICT tools
used by the employees, the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the
respondents, the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT readiness
and application of the employees, the problems encountered by the employees with
regards to ICT use and, recommendation of the employees in improving their use of ICT
tools.
The information gathered in this study was limited to some rank and file
employees from different municipal offices. There were few respondents who
represented their office to answer the questionnaires.
The study was conducted from December 2011 to March 2012 in Km 5,
Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
E-Readiness Assessment
E-readiness is the degree to which a community is prepared to participate in the
networked world, which is gauged by assessing a community’s relative advancement in
the areas that are most critical for ICT adoption and the most important applications of
ICTs (CID, 2006).
According to Lavin and Qiang (2004), higher levels of e-readiness can create a
ripple effect, increasing the competitiveness of national economies, and their ability to
create wealth. Hence, employment empowerment to local communities leads to poverty
reduction. However, Picci (2006) stated on his research that though e-readiness measures
can provide useful summaries he pointed out that inherent difficulties arise when
attempting to measure the relevant extent, which most particularly the case in the local
government, where decision makers are required to satisfy their goals such as social
cohesion and environmental sustainability.
Thus, e-readiness assessment is generally defined as the degree to which a society
(particularly LGUs and NGOs) is prepared to participate in the digital economy with the
underlying concept that the digital economy can help to build a better economy. It would
also help the government to measure and plan for ICT integration, focus their efforts and
identify areas for further prioritization (INA Academy, 2008).
According to the infoDev (2005), e-readiness assessment has the following
factors in gauging whether the government has an access to ICT exploitation:
Physical Access to ICT.Most assessments calculated fixed line and mobile
teledensity, and internet access, but other ICT infrastructure was looked at less intensely.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
For instance, there are about twenty employees but the available computers are just five.
Thus, this could affect the employees in the fast accomplishment of their tasks.
Affordability of ICT in the Local Context.Despite significant variations in local
economic conditions and prices, all assessments found that most ICT access and use
prohibitively expensive for the majority of the governments. This is one of the greatest
obstacle to widespread the access of ICT tools.
Integration of ICT into People’s Lives.Few reports looked at how ICT was
integrated into people’s lives, whether the use of ICT was an additional burden (such as
the need to travel long distance to access telecentre services) , or whether it reduce a
burden (such as improved work efficiencies).
Government’s Role in Driving E-readiness. Governments were usually involved
in assessments, and most of the reports described the governments’ active involvement
and political will in this area. All assessments that mentioned public-private partnerships
were in agreement about their benefits.
ICT in Local Government Sector
Through the strategic use of Information and Communications Technologies
(ICT), to build a local government system which is seen as the first choice for the
delivery of a wide range of local services to all citizens, and a strategic partner with
central government in preparing for and implementing the Information Society (Doelg,
2000).
Local municipalities are fertile ground for the application of ICTs and the front
lines of the government in their service oriented interaction with the public and business
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
where there are electronic linkages to help in the integration of ICTs to the citizens
(Jensen, 2002).
Moreover, the internet gives the local government the opportunity to offer public
services and to provide information and policies more efficiently. The more public
services can be delivered through electronic media, such as the internet, the larger the
potential savings, processing documents such as licenses, or collecting taxes
electronically.
According to Suttle (2012), like businesses, state and federal government offices
use computers. Government employees must set up meetings and distribute various
reports. Computers help these workers expedite these tasks, as most government-issued
computers contain numerous software programs like word processing, spreadsheets and
database management programs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer
uses in government offices also include various e-mail functions, payment distribution,
record keeping and even coordinating mailings.
E-mail Functions.Government offices that have computers usually have some
type of email system in place. Emails enable government workers to compose, send or
read emails from other workers and people outside the municipal offices.For example, a
state unemployment office employee might answer a person's question about eligibility
by email. This might inevitably save the worker time, as she would not need to speak
with the person by phone. Government employees might also use emails to distribute
copies of reports or presentations.
Distributing Payments.State and federal offices use computers to distribute
payments to people. These payments can be sent electronically like most Social Security
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
payments, or by check. For example, the Internal Revenue Service will usually issue
checks to people for refunds. Similarly, state treasury offices often send state refund
checks. Government offices also use computers to send or print disability, Medicare,
Medicaid and other payments. The checks are usually produced on various printers in the
government offices.
Record Keeping.The government often hires computer programmers or database
managers to maintain records of employees and citizens, according to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics. Most of these records are kept in large databases, which can store
records of people's gender, age, address, phone number and other important information.
Government offices also keep records of dates, such as when people file taxes, and
amounts that are due and paid. Computer record keeping is an essential function for
government offices because of the need for accuracy and timeliness--like for Medicaid
payments.
Direct-Mail Promotions.Some government agencies or offices might use
computers to produce various direct-mail advertising campaigns. Government workers
might produce these various documents on their computer, and then have them
professionally done through their printing office. Government workers will use various
name and address files to arrange the mailing, and then print them directly on envelopes
or brochures.
E-Governance
According to Alampay (2007), e-governance defines the ways that government
institutions, businesses and citizens are using electronic means for the purpose of
enhancing good democratic governance processes and for achieving better public service
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
delivery-based on transparency, accountability and public feedback mechanisms. As
added by UNESCO (2002) that e-government is the use of ICT to enable more efficient,
cost effective, and participatory government, facilitate more convenient government
services, allow greater public access to information and make government more
accountable to citizens.
The United Nations (2003) also stated e-government as a government that applies
ICT to transform its internal and external relationships. ICT allows a government’s
internal and external communications to gain speed, precision, simplicity, outreach and
networking capacity, leading to reduce costs and increase effectiveness. ICT can increase
the efficiency of an organization’s work by automating existing processes; it can improve
these processes by introducing changes; and it can even enable a fundamental rethinking
of the process.
Moreover, the e-government strategy is a fundamental element in modernizing the
public sector, through identifying and developing organizational structure, the ways of
interaction with citizens and business and reducing cost and layers of organizational
business processes. It provides a wide variety of information to citizens and business
through internet. However, the role of government is not only to provide information and
services to citizens, which could be provided by commercial firms. E-government can
develop the strategic connections between public sector organizations and their
departments, and make a communication between government levels. This is to support
the fast emergence of the ICT tools appropriate in the field of government
services.(Ebrahim and Zahir, 2005).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
The Philippines has recently identified five key reform packages where
information and communications technology (ICT) will play a key role: job creation
through economic growth, anti-corruption through good government, social justice and
basic needs, education and youth opportunity, and energy independence and savings
(Patricio, 2004). Such an important role of ICT can be seen in terms of the signing of the
Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, or the E-Commerce Act in June 2000. The law
mandates all government agencies to adopt electronic means in their transactions within a
period of two years (2000) of its signing (Mariano, 2004).
ICT in the Philippines
The Philippine government through the Commission on Information
Communication Technology (CICT) set up telecentres throughout the country as part of
the Community e-Center (CeC) program, to provide the general public with meaningful
and affordable access to ICT. LGUs have utilized the CeC model to offer various e-
governance services.
The National Audit Office on the other hand has published a review of how
government uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to deliver public
services particularly to inform the debate about government's new use of ICT, gives an
overview of existing uses, as well as initiatives and changes underway. It details a
number of big challenges the government faces in protecting and improving the value for
money of ICT and in ensuring that ICT is deployed fully in the drive to secure sustainable
cost reduction (Morse, 2011).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
E-readiness Assessment of the Benguet Provincial Capitol
According to Jose (2009), the results of her study on assessing the e-readiness
among the employees were interpreted according to some of the objectives, which are
also related to this manuscript. Based on the study, it was concluded that in 2009:
Each department is adequately equipped with computer, completed with basic
accessories but those are not used to their optimum levels due to the lack of knowledge
and skills of the employees.
The employees are willing to embrace and learn about ICT tools even they have
inadequate knowledge in operating these ICT tools.
There is a lack of training information with regards to the use of ICT tools.
Hence, there is a poor level of expertise.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of the Study
The study was conducted at the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
(Figure 1)
The La Trinidad government has recently revived and restructured their mode of
providing services through the adoption and utilization of ICT pursuing its purpose: as a
channel of public sentiment; means to empower people; and serve as a window to the
world.
The municipality is relatively the most developed settlement in the province of
Benguet because of its proximity to the City of Baguio. It is the gateway of the southern
lowlands into the Cordillera Region. Due to its advanced development, La Trinidad is
considered as one of the Central Business Districts of Benguet (La Trinidad Profile,
2011)
The study was conducted on December 2011 to March 2012.
Respondents of the Study
Table 1. The table shows the number of respondents from the thirteen municipal
offices of La Trinidad.
The respondents of the study were the employees of La Trinidad municipal office.
They were chosen through accidental sampling.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
MUNICIPAL OFFICES INCLUDED NO. OF RANK- AND-FILE RESPONDENTS
Mayor’s 9
Accounting
6
Planning and Development
5
Assessors 4
Engineering
4
Sanguniang Bayan
4
Budget Office
3
Social Welfare and Development
3
Treasury
3
Health
3
Legal 2
Agriculture 2
Civil Registrar
2
There were 50 respondents comprising the heads and rank and file employees
belonging to the 13 departments of the municipal office. Key informants were:
Christopher C. Bansan (Admin Aid Officer), Algernon Calvin M. Bangilan (Admin Aid
Officer), Chris L. Eban (Casual Aid Officer), Raquel O. Anas (Admin Aid Officer),
Francis A. Batnag (Legal Assisstant), Felipe P. Esnara (Engineer), and Marilyn M.
Mangeg (Admin Aid Officer).
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Figure 1. Map of Benguet showing the locale of the study
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Data Collection
Survey questionnaireswere floated in different offices to gather the needed
information. Interview schedule wasalso used to gather data from key informants who
provided the ICT infrastructure of their offices.
The researcher did follow-up interviews with some heads and staffs in the offices
to fill the lacking information about the adoption and operation problems in ICT tools and
the ratio of ICT tools used by the employees in their respective offices.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, the ICT
infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU, resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the
available ICT tools used by the employees, the level of expertise in using the identified
ICT tools of the respondents, the level of support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the
ICT readiness and application of the employees, the problems encountered by the
employees with regards to ICT use and, recommendation of the employees in improving
their use of ICT tools.
Data Analysis
The data collected were consolidated, tabulated and analyzed using descriptive
statistics like frequency counts and percentage.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Socio-demographic Profile of the Respondents
Table 2 shows the socio-demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age,
sex, civil status, educational attainment and the years of service as an employee of Local
Government Unit at La Trinidad, Benguet.
Age and sex.There were more female (56%) respondents than male (38%)
respondents, majority of them belonged to the age bracket 30-38 (48%) followed by
38-47 (26%) and 21-29 (22%), respectively.
Civil status.There were thirty one (62%) married respondents; sixteen (32%)
single; and one (2%) widowed.
Educational Attainment.Thirty six (72%) of the respondents were college
graduate while seven (14%) of them have finished masteral degree. Only five (10%) were
in the college level and two (4%) finished vocational course.
This implies that regardless of their educational attainment, the respondents are
capable of using ICTs in delivering services.
Years of service.Most (32%) of the respondents have rendered 6 to 10 years of
service; 11 to 15 years (28%); and followed by less than 5 years of service (22%). Only 3
(6%) have rendered more than 21 years of service. This indicates that most of the
respondents have rendered service of not less than five years.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 2. Socio-demographic profile of the respondents
CHARACTERISTICS FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
%
________________________________________________________________________
Age
21-29
14
28
30-38
24
48
38-47
12
24
TOTAL 50
100
Sex
Male
21
42
Female
29
58
TOTAL 50
100
Civil Status
Single
16
32
Married
33
66
Widow/er
1
2
TOTAL 50
100
Highest Educational Attainment
College
level
5 10
College
graduate
34
68
Masters
9
18
Vocational
Graduate
2 4
TOTAL 50
100
Years of Service
5
or
less
years
12
24
6
to
10
years
16
32
11
to
15
years
14
28
16
to
20
years
5 10
More
than
21
years
3 6
TOTAL 50
100
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Availability of Information Communication Technology Tools
Identified by the Respondents and Frequency of Use
Table 3 shows the availability of ICT tools in different offices of La Trinidad –
LGU.
Audio and Audio Visual players.The results show that Audio and AVP as a
medium of information, TV ranked first with (98%) followed by the radio with (92%).
The researcher did an ocular observation and listed two TVs with cable
connection installed in the waiting area of the Municipal office and at the Mayor’s office.
The televisions were purposely installed not only for the employees’ benefit but also for
the clients to take time while waiting during tax payments and other transactions. The
presence of the television also helped the employees and clients acquire the latest news
since this is being used daily.
One respondent said that the use of television was not strictly limited to the
employees or even the public as long as the programs were purposive and appropriate to
them.
Camera. Table 3 shows that most of the respondents had digital camera (60%),
then followed by manual camera (56%). The DSLR (8%) and Handy Camera (8%) were
only identified available most at the Mayor’s and Accounting office and were used three
to four times a month.
This implies that digital camera is still affordable and suitable to the employees’
specialties in maximizing its use. However, due to inaccessibility of cameras in some
offices, the employees need to use their personal cameras.
According to Raquel O. Anas of the Municipal Planning and Development Office,
the presence of camera whether a digital or DSLR is only limited in some offices.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
However, the employees borrowed cameras from other offices if it is available. The
camera was a very important tool for photo documentation especially during seminars,
festival and other trainings conducted by the LGU.
Computers.Table 3 shows that the most available type of computer in different
offices is the desktop (98%) followed by the laptop (78%) and the Android APAD (8%).
Only two had the Handheld Palmtop (4%).
This shows that the LGU maximizes the use of desktop and laptop in their offices
since it is being used daily. Most of the employees used the flat screen monitor but, there
were still using the desktop PC. However, the respondents also claimed that not all
offices had computers.
In an interview with Felipe P. Esnara Jr. of the Engineering Office, he pointed out
that they experienced problems with the availability of computers in their office because
they only had four or five units. According to him, these were not enough since they are
required to produce documents using computers most of the time. There were more or
less fifteen employees in their office.
Computer Accessories.The results show that the printer (94%) was primary
available followed by the flash drive or the external hard drive (74%) and digital
photocopier (72%). The results also show that LCD projector (70%), scanner (68%), and
webcam (56%) are available in their respective offices.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 3. Availability of ICT tools identified by the respondents and frequency of use
ICT
TOOLS
FREQUENCY FREQUENCY MEAN
n=50
%
OF USE
μ
Audio and AV players
Television
49
98
Daily
5
Radio
46
92
1-3 times a week
4
DVD Player
44
88
3-4 times a month
3.1
CD Player
39
78
1-3 times a month
2.5
Camera
Digital/DigiCam
30
60
3-4 times a month
3.2
Manual/Instamatic
28
56
3-4 times a month
2.6
DSLR
4
8
1-3 times a month
1.75
Handy Camera
4
8
3-4 times a month
2.5
Computers
Desktop (PC)
49
98
Daily
4.65
Laptop/Notebook
39
78
Daily
4.62
Android APAD
4
8
1-3 times a week
4
Handheld Palmtop
2
4
-
-
Computer Accessories
Flash Drive/External HDD
37
74
1-3 times a week
4.25
Printer (LAN)
47
94
1-3 times a week
4.11
Digital Photocopier
36
72
3-4 times a month
2.72
LCD projector
35
70
3-4 times a month
2.31
Webcam
28
56
1-3 times a month
2.27
Scanner
34
68
1-3 times a month
2.18
Phone
Cellular
50
100
Daily
4.95
Landline
41
82
1-3 times a week
4.18
Others
Biometrics
43
86
Daily
5
Gw@ps Kiosk
38
76
3-4 times a month
2.88
Scale:
Frequency of Use
Mean
1-3 times a month
1.6-2.5
3-4 times a month
2.6-3.5
1-3 a week
3.6-4.5
Daily 4.6-5.5
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 3 shows that the flash drive or the external hard drive (4.25) and the printer
(4.11) were used at least once to thrice a week. This implies that the use of flash drive or
the external hard drive is very important device for the fast storage, retrieval and transfer
of files. Also, the printer was very helpful tool in printing high quality text and graphics.
However, one respondent shared that printers were not readily available in each
office, citing that some need to go to another office to print their files or documents in
case their respective printers were dysfunctional.
On the other hand, the presence of digital photocopier was also a helpful tool for
the reproduction of printed materials. This was used for office reports, communication
letters for copies and handouts for seminars.
Phone.Most of the respondents have cellular phone (94%) and forty one (82%)
are using the landline phone.
The results show that most of the respondents are using cellular phone daily
(4.95) while the landline is being used once to thrice a week.
This shows that the use of cellphone is also important in dealing with people
whether at home or at the workplace. There were some department heads and staffs who
have their calling cards purposively given to their clients for easy communication. The
use of landline on the other hand was very helpful tool also in communicating with some
LGUs, NGOs and other private sectors; however, it was minimized due to the presence of
cellphones.
Gw@ps Kiosk.The results show that most of the respondents included the Gw@ps
Kiosk or the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System which resembles an
automated teller machine (ATM) that has a touch screen monitor. But the Gw@ps kiosk
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
was not an ATM since it does not dispense money. This was developed in the GSIS and
make use of world-class technologies, such as radio frequency identification, biometrics,
and virtual private network to come up with a secure system that can perform processing
remotely in a paperless manner.
The results show that the Gw@ps Kiosk was used three to four times a month
(2.88).
According to an interview with Christopher C. Bansan of the Human Resource
Management, the Kiosk Gw@ps was adopted on September 13, 2010 so that employees
will no longer take time going to Baguio to have process loans and to update or browse
their database profile using their e-cards Plus.
Biometrics.Most of the respondents also included the availability of the
biometrics or the finger print clock. This tool is purposively installed at the opposite side
of the stairs – this is to avoid queue of the employees’ during their log in and out.
The researcher has observed there were two biometrics installed purposely for the
employees only. This was used daily for the employees’ attendance monitor since it
works independently without installing a computer unit. This identifies and records the
Daily Time Records (DTR) of the employees and served as the basis of presence and
absence of work.
Levels of Expertise in Using the ICT
ICT Tools. The level of expertise in terms of hardware was determined by
distributing and multiplying the frequency of the respondents in each of the given
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
descriptive equivalent. The result from each of the descriptive equivalents were added
then divided into the overall frequency of respondents.
On the other hand, the individual weighted mean of the identified hardware from
each category were added then divided to the number of variable to come up with its
weighted mean.
Table 4 shows that the respondents are “excellent” in using the television (4.88),
DVD player (4.88), CD player (4.70) and the radio (4.69).
As mentioned earlier, the frequency of use of the television by the employees is
daily, thus, the result was evident that they had a high level of expertise also with the
DVD and CD players. Some of them related that their expertise on the operation of the
Audio and AV players was acquired through peer teaching.
The respondents were also “excellent” in using the digital camera (4.70) and
average in the use of handy camera or the video cam (3.75). The level of expertise on the
use of Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) camera was also “average” (2.69).
With these, it shows that most of the respondents know very much the operation
of the digital camera. They were also equipped with regards to the use of the handy
camera or video cam. However, they need to improve more their skills in using the DSLR
camera.
Anas also included that the proper operation of camera was very much important
to the employees in order to capture and get the best angle of the picture. This is so since
the LGU is on its track of conducting seminars and the yearly festival and other important
events.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Moreover, results show that the respondents were “very good” in using the
desktop (4) and laptop (3.83). This implies that their skills in using the computers were
sufficient enough for their work.
Francis A. Batnag of the Legal Office also claimed that the laptops and desktop
computers provided by the government were very much helpful to the employees even
though some were already obsolete. However, the employees still maximizes the
presence of ICT tools in their workplace in order to accomplish their daily tasks.
This relates to the report of Flynn (2009) that new emerging information and
communication technologies can no longer be ignored by individuals. They could bring
these technologies to their workplace whether government provides it or not. However,
like any technology, it has its advantages and disadvantages. Effectively managing the
risks and maximizing compliance on the new ICT’s proper use requires the development
of the comprehensive organizational policies. The presence of computers for each
employee will surely help the fast processing and completion of their tasks.
Further, the respondents were “very good” in using webcam (4.27), flash drive
(4.18) or external hard drive, printer (4), and digital photocopier (3.77). However, the
respondents were “average” in using scanner (3.43) and LCD projector (2.81).
This implies that the available computer accessories were maximized since these
were commonly used in their respective offices. The respondents however need to
improve more their skills in using the scanner and LCD projector. Some respondents
claimed that the LCD projector was mostly used by the head or assistant of the office
during seminars or conferences.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Obviously, the respondents claimed that they had an “excellent” level of expertise
in using cellular phone (4.62) and very good in using landline phone (4). This implies
that the respondents were “excellent” in operating their cellphones since they used it
daily in their workplace. Using the landline phone also is sufficient in the work of the
respondents since they know the proper operation during the communication.
On the other hand, there were about 80% who are used the Kiosk Gw@ps (3.05)
but most of them need to be assisted due to lack of operational knowledge. This implies
that the respondents need basic assistance in the operation of the Kiosk Gw@ps since this
was recently adopted by the LGU for transaction.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 4. Levels of expertise in using ICT tools
ICT
TOOLS
MEAN
DESCRIPTION
Audio and AV Players
Television
4.88
Excellent
DVD
player
4.88
Excellent
CD
player
4.70
Excellent
Radio
4.69
Excellent
Camera
Manual 4.94
Excellent
Digital
Camera 4.70
Excellent
Handy
Camera
(Video
Cam)
3.75
Very
Good
DSLR
2.69
Average
Computers
Desktop
4
Very
Good
Laptop
3.83
Very
Good
Android
APAD
1
Never
Used
Computer Accessories
Webcam
4.27
Very
Good
Flash
Drive/External
HDD
4.18
Very
Good
Printer
4
Very
Good
Digital
Photocopier
3.77
Very
Good
Scanner 3.43
Average
LCD
Projector
2.81
Average
Phone
Cellular 4.62
Excellent
Landline
4
Very
Good
Others:
Kiosk
Gw@ps
4
Very
God
Biometrics
3.05
Average
Grand
Mean
3.91
Very
Good
*Legend:
• (N) – I have never used this
• Poor (P) – I need more basic trainings/workshop
• Average (AV) – I need to improve my skills
• Very Good (VG) – My skills are sufficient for my work
• Excellent (E) – I am willing enough to teach this to others
Scale:
N
P
AV
VG
E
0.15-1.5 1.6-2.5
2.6-3.5 3.6-4.5 4.6-5.5
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Levels of Expertise in Software Programs
Table 5 shows the respondent’s level of expertise in software programs which
includes the Microsoft Office, Audio, AV and Photo Editing, and Web-based programs.
Software Programs.In terms of Microsoft Office,Table 5 shows that the
respondents are excellent in using the Microsoft Word (4.16). They are very good in
using the Microsoft excel (4) but have an average level in using the Publisher (3) and
PowerPoint (3.56). On the other hand, the respondents did not use both the Microsoft
Access Database (1.44) and FrontPage (1.54).
Generally, the respondents claimed that the MS word (94%), MS excel (84%),
MS PowerPoint (82%) and MS Publisher (77%) were purposively used for office
documentation and assignments. The MS Access Database (55%) and MS FrontPage
(41%) were used by the respondents to learn more new things such of these.
With these, it shows that the MS word is the common office software used by the
employees in their workplace. The respondents indicated that most of the time, they used
MS Word in doing reports, letters and other paper works such as encoding and editing.
This relates to the study of Pratt (2010) that MS Word is one of the most widely
used word-processing programs. Word-processor programs primarily allow users to
create and edit text documents. Typical use may include writing an essay or report,
creating a resume, or writing notes. In addition, work can be presented in the form of
inserted tables, diagrams or pictures.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Table 5. Levels of expertise in software programs
SOFTWARE
PROGRAMS
MEAN
DESCRIPTION PURPOSE
%
Microsoft Office
Word
4.16
Excellent
1 94%
Excel
4.0
Very
Good
1 82%
PowerPoint
3.56
Average 1 84%
Publisher
3.0
Average 1 83%
FrontPage
1.54
Never
used
3 41%
Access
Database
1.44
Never
used
3 55%
Grand Mean 2.96
Average
Audio, AV/P Editing Software
Adobe
Photoshop
3.10
Average 1 23%
Moviemaker
2.33
Poor
2
5%
Grand Mean 2.71
Average
Web-based Programs
Internet Research
4
Very Good
1
91%
Social Networking
4.14
Very Good
4
79%
Grand Mean 4.07
Very Good
Legend 1:
•
(N) – I have never used this
Scale:
•
Poor (P) – I need more basic trainings/workshop
N
–
0.15-1.5
•
Average (AV) – I need to improve my skills
P – 1.6-2.5
•
Very Good (VG) – My skills are sufficient for my work
AV – 2.6-3.5
•
Excellent (E) – I am willing enough to teach this to others
VG – 3.6-4.5
E – 4.6-5.5
Legend 2:
•
1 – For office documentation reports and assignments
•
2 – To enhance more what I know
•
3 – To learn more new things
•
4 – For social networking
On the other hand, the respondents were also very good in using the MS excel. This
proves that the MS Excel is also designed for the employees to use in computations or
even in tabulating data for record files.
According to Chris L. Eban of the Budget Office, when he said that the MS excel
is very much useful not only for computations of figures but also for cataloguing –
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
transferring of hard copy into e-copy. Although it is difficult to transfer, the MS excel is
still an advantageous office software because of its design and specifications, according
to him. In using such office requires patience in exploring the functions of each of the
icons in order to discover more the specialties provided by the software.
This supports Kelly (2010), emphasizing that MS Excel is an important tool in
management of an organization, one of the most important features is that it can be used
as a database where all the information regarding employees, production, products and
consumers can be stored. Excel with therefore act at a data base in the organization where
data can be added, manipulated and deleted.
Moreover, the Budget Office worked to consolidate, review and prepare budget
proposals from different departments for hearings. This was to provide budget updates to
the municipal and barangay officials including the general public. With these, the use of
MS word and excel was very much applicable in making reports particularly the general
and specific funds, statement of cash flow of budget.
Also, the Health Office uses MS word and excel since this was the common
software programs used in delivering services. One respondent claimed that MS word
was used in making communication letters, reports and calendar of activities as to MS
excel which is being maximized in tabulation and chart.
The Treasury and Accounting Office also maximizes the operation of MS word
and MS excel since the office was in charge of providing financial information and
disbursements of the municipal funds entrusted by the law. The MS Word and MS Excel
is very much used in reproducing reports such as statement of receipts, expenditures and
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
total revenue receipts through tabulation and graphs. The use of MS Word and MS Excel
helps provide understandable information to the public in their respective bulletins.
According to Marilyn M. MangegAdmin Aid officer of the Agriculture Office,
though the office was still using 2003 version MS office, this was still maximized in
making documents. The MS word was used for communication letters and researches.
The MS PowerPoint was also commonly used programs since the office implements
extension services such as seminars and workshops for farmers. Doing so was very
advantageous to the participants of the seminar since the MS Word was used in
reproducing hand-outs for lecture and MS PowerPoint to show pictures and
demonstrations.
The Engineering Office also initiate, review and recommend changes in policies
and objectives, plans and programs, techniques, procedures and practices in infrastructure
development and public works in general of the local government concerned. With these,
the most of the respondents from the office have a “very good” level of expertise in using
MS word and MS excel since they often used the software programs in making
flowcharts, reports, and other documents. There were some respondents also who are
very good in using AutoCAD in their workplace. This is used provide a blueprint or a
perspective in construction, maintenance, improvement and repair of roads and bridges
and other engineering and public projects of the LGU.
Furthermore, the Planning and Development Office conducted continuing studies,
researches and training programs necessary for implementation. The respondents from
the office claimed that the MS Office was very much applicable to their work but lacks
expertise in particularly in MS Database. The MS Word and MS Excel were also used in
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
providing preliminary statistics as basis for planning and researches, provide project
proposals/feasibility studies for possible fund sourcing and provide technical services in
infrastructure projects, technical surveys and social projects.
The respondents also claimed that the use of MS PowerPoint was really
applicable to their work since most of them preferred to use in their seminars for lecture.
However, the respondents still need to improve more their knowledge in MS
PowerPoint through exploring more of its functions.
Generally, the respondents need to improve their skills with regards to the use of
the Microsoft Office especially MS Publisher and PowerPoint since most of them
identified that this is applicable to their work documentation and assignments.
In terms of Audio, Audio Visual and Photo editing software, Table 5 shows that
the respondents have an average level of expertise in editing photos (3.10) and poor level
of expertise in editing videos (2.33). The respondents claimed this so since this are not
applicable to their work. However, such simply that they might want to improve their
skills on this software.
The result shows that most of the respondents did not use much the video, audio
and photo editing software. Most of the respondents claimed that such editing was only
done by the employees who were tasked to edit videos and photos. There were some
respondents from the Mayor’s Office who really specialize the use of Photoshop and
MovieMaker since most of the time they were in charge of doing the photo enhancement
for exhibit and video clips assigned by the different offices. However, some of them also
related that since the installer of these software were quite expensive, they did not chose
to acquire it, more so that it was not needed in their work.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
In terms of the expertise in using web-based programs,the result shows that the
respondents are very good in using the internet in both research (4) and social networking
(4.14) sites.
The respondents were knowledgeable in terms of electronic research and social
networking. Anas said that some employees practiced their expertise in e-mail, blogging
and Facebook during their convenient time. However, most of the respondents were not
knowledgeable in the building of the LGU website.
This supports Homburg (2008), who said that the potential in using the internet in
government offices is very crucial to the employees because it will enhance their
perspectives in service delivery or transactions and increase their ideas through
knowledge-based sites as seen in the growing literature of e-governance.
On the other hand, internet was one source of software for installation used in
different offices. This could offer a lot of software downloaded for free or could be
bought online. Thus, most of the employees depended on the products from the internet
with regards to software downloads.
Moreover, Bansan explained that because of the fast emergence of free software
downloaded from the internet, employees could easily and freely acquire from it, hence,
most of the software used in the thirteen offices were pirated. The original installer of
software was no different from the pirated copy. The difference was its cost.
According to Algermon Calvin M. Bangilan of the Mayor’s Office, they had to
hire a professional Information Technologist from another region in order to develop the
official La Trinidad website.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Generally, results indicated that the respondents’ level of expertise in using
software programs ranged from average to very good. Moreover, only few of the
respondents maximize the use of all software programs and some software programs are
not applicable to their work.
Level of Support of the La Trinidad LGU
with regards to ICT Skill of the Employees
In terms of the levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU, it was moderately
supportive which means that they have provided some of the employees need in terms of
ICT tools.
Table 6 shows that the level of support given by the LGU to the employees was
moderately supportive in terms of the availability and accessibility of internet connection
(1.86); accessibility of resources (2.14); and implementation of training/workshops
related to ICT use. This means that the LGU have provided the internet access in
different offices.
With this, it was evident that the LGU was moving towards e-government.
However, Bangilan recommended that the internet connection in different offices would
be better if it was controlled by a single server. This accessibility of internet to the
employees would be difficult because of the very low speed provided by the LGU. This
may affect other employees who access the internet for research. Thus, the LGU should
come up with a faster and reliable internet access to the offices.
This relates to the study of Gupta and Zweig (2004) emphasizing that in the
modern office the internet links the organization to the outside world, making it more
easier and cost effective for employees to coordinate and transact with their clients or
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
customers. These technologies allow co-employees to work in different geographical
locations. This is because distance-separated team members can be monitored and
connected by communication technologies that allow supervision even at a distance.
Table 6. LGU La Trinidad levels of support in the enhancement of the employees’ ICT
skills
SUPPORTS PROVIDED
MEAN
DESCRIPTION
Accessibility of resources
2.14 Moderately Supportive
Accessibility
and
availability
1.86
Moderately Supportive
of internet connection
Implementation of training
1.84 Moderately Supportive
or workshops related to ICT use
Upgrading ICT tools (changing of obsolete
1.54 Less Supportive
Software and hardware to new)
Grand Mean
1.84 Moderately Supportive
Legend: 1 – Less Supportive (LS) They give less priorities to ICT needs
2 - Moderately supportive (MS) They have provided most of the things I needs
with this matter
3 - Very Supportive (VS) I am satisfied with what they provide. They provide
needs of the office
Scale:
LS
MS
VS
0.15-1.5
1.6-2.5 2.6-3.5
On the other hand, the result shows that the LGU is less supportive enough in
terms of upgrading ICT tools or changing the obsolete into latest tools.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
However, Bansan explained that the respondents who chose to consider the
LGU’s less support was in terms of the software programs. He said this so since there
were some employees who depend on the free software downloads from the internet
because of unavailability of original software provided by the LGU.
However, acquiring of new ICT tools requires an official process that depends on
the yearly budget allocation. He further explained that the replacement or repairs of any
units outside the office will be spent from their budget appropriation in their respective
offices.
On the other hand, the LGU adopted computerization in terms of software
applications. The Municipal Planning and Development Office have recently adopted and
applied the “Digitization” of different barangays in La Trinidad. This is by the use of the
Natural Resources Database NRDB software for the developing and distributing
environmental databases. However, this requires a Windows-based computer and
requires only standard desktop peripherals such as a scanner and a printer.
Also, Anas said that the Community Based Monitoring System was adopted by
the LGU in 2008 which was created by the CBMS Program Office in 2002. This provides
the LGU a local-level census of poverty indicators, measurement of many dimensions of
poverty and the identification of households that were poor in each dimension.
Moreover, the La Trinidad - LGU also adopted the computerization of Real
Property Tax System which provides an automated system for assessing taxes due on real
estate properties performed by the Assessor’s office.
However, it was mentioned by some respondents that when these software
programs were required to them, they learned most of how to use it through peer
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
teaching. Although they were oriented on how to use it at first, when they were using it
already, they had to seek other people’s assistance.
Such imply that there was a minimal support to the employees in terms of
providing trainings or seminars to enhance their ICT skills. This is because there were
some employees who are not open-minded in terms of the use of ICT tools in their
workplace, Bansan added.
Problems Experienced by the Employees
in Starting and Improving ICT Use
The researcher used an open-ended survey questionnaire in identifying the
problems of LGU employees in ICT use. The problems are categorized in terms of
personal, technical, resource and support.
As it is reflected in Table 7, some respondents indicated one of their personal
problems with regards to ICT use was that the radiation of the computers affects their
eyes when used for several hours. They emphasized that because of the strong brightness
of their computer screen, it was more likely to weaken their eyesight. Thus, they
recommended ICT tool that is a specialized eyewear to protect their eyesight especially to
old employees.
On the other hand, the respondents claimed that they had no official technician at
their respective offices to replace or repair defective ICT tools, hence, most of the time
they brought it to a private technician. This was supported by one of the respondents
pointing out that because of the absence of an ICT administration or personnel; it could
affect the functions or services of the offices due to unmonitored utilization of ICT tools.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Moreover, due to no restrictions of internet use among the employees, it results to
a slow access and even spread of viruses in computer units. This is due to some units
were not updated of Anti-Virus since not all of the units have the connection of internet
for automatic update. Also, the unrestricted use of software downloads in different
websites lead to the spread of virus to the computers.
Table 7.Identified problems of the employees with regards to ICT use.
PROBLEMS
Personal
The radiation of computers affects the eyes of the employees
Technical
There is no official technician. No maintenance administrator of ICT
Lack of knowledge in hardware maintenance and software installation
There are no available parts for hardware replacements
Spread of virus in computer units
Slow internet connection
No restriction on use of internet access
Resource
Lack of computers in some offices
High cost of original software
Support
LGU- Lack of trainings or workshop/hands on to enhance more the skills
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
According to Mayor Gregorio T. Abalos Jr. as quoted by Anas, the internet access
in the different offices should be used purposively for task-based only and avoid of
overusing for personal pleasures.
This supports the report of Triallon (2009) that despite the great benefits the
internet gives businesses or services, office heads also need to control what their
employee’s access and how they use it. Many times, internet access is an open invitation
to waste time. Many employees increasingly participate in Internet chat, personal e-
mailing, and online shopping and bill-paying. Gupta (2004) also included that although
the potential for improving the productivity through ICTs are clear, there are also
problems related to the misuse of the internet. For instance, providing access to the
internet in the workplace may give employees the opportunity to use it for self-gain and
other activities that go beyond official purposes.
Most of the respondents claimed that the LGU lacks initiatives in implementing
trainings or workshops regarding the application of ICT use. The respondent specified
that there was a proposal being initiated by some offices to conduct a workshop and
seminars regarding the software applications but was not pursued due to lack of quota for
participants.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The study was conducted from December 2010 to March 2012 at the Municipality
of La Trinidad.
The study focused on the e-readiness assessment of the Local Government Unit of
La Trinidad. Specifically, the study was conducted to determine were the socio-
demographic profile of the respondents, the ICT infrastructure of the La Trinidad LGU,
resources of ICT of the La Trinidad LGU, the available ICT tools used by the employees,
the level of expertise in using the identified ICT tools of the respondents, the level of
support of the La Trinidad LGU to improve the ICT readiness and application of the
employees, the problems encountered by the employees with regards to ICT use and,
recommendation of the employees in improving their use of ICT tools.
There were 50 respondents and seven key informants coming from the different
offices/departments of the LGU.
The result of the study shows that majority of the respondents belonged to the age
bracket of 30-38 and there were more females than male respondents. Most of them were
married and a college graduate.
With regards to the availability of ICT tools, television is the most common used
audio visual ICT tools, digital for camera, desktop for computers, printer for computer
accessories and cellular phone. The Kiosk Gw@ps and biometrics was also included.
On the other hand, their levels of expertise in hardware programs particularly in
Audio and AV players are excellent. They are very good in using camera, computer
accessories and phone. However, they are average in using the computers and the Kiosk
Gw@ps and biometrics.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
The result of the study shows that the respondents’ level of expertise in using the
web-based programs like e-mail, blog and internet research are very good. However, they
were average in using the MS Office and Audio/AVP editing software.
The LGU La Trinidad is moderately supportive to the employees in terms of the
availability and accessibility of internet connection, accessibility of resources, upgrading
ICT tools and implementation of training or workshops.
Generally, the problems experienced by the respondents include the slow internet
access, lack of training or workshops with regards to ICT use, lack of computers in some
offices and lack of knowledge in hardware maintenance and software installation.
Conclusions
Based on the findings of the study, the following conclusions were obtained:
1. The employees of the La Trinidad LGU are e-ready in the adoption and
applications of hardware tools such as computers and software programs particularly the
MS office and the social networking including the major software used only in their
respective offices.
2. Some offices or department in the municipal office are inadequately equipped
with ICT tools.
3. Expertise in using ICT tools including the software is in accordance to the needs
and functions of the departments.
4. Similar to other organizations’ experiences in using ICT, personal, technical and
resource-related problems are experienced by the employees in LGU-La Trinidad.
5. Support of LGU is essential to enhance e-readiness of its employees.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the following
recommendations are formulated:
1.
The La Trinidad LGU may come up with an ICT division managed by
professional technicians or IT specialists to strengthen the ICT infrastructure.
2.
The LGU may implement trainings or workshops with regards to ICT use
to lessen the ICT divide.
3.
E-readiness assessment and applications in other LGUs or NGOs may also
be conducted for evaluation of the feasibility of e-governance and its development to the
offices.
4.
To get the over-all e-readiness assessment, other researchers may opt to
conduct wider research in the same office by including all employees in the study.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
LITERATURE CITED
ABALOS, G. T. 2011. Mayor’s Address. Retrieved December 10, 2011 from
http://latrinidad.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161&It
emid=321.
ALAMPAY, G. 2007. ICT and Good Governance.Retrieved November 3, 2011 from
http://www.apdip.net/apdipenote/12.pdf/.
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. 2006. Introduction to E-
Readiness. Retrieved December 3, 2011 from http://www.ejisdc. org/ojs2/ index.
php/ejisdc/ article/ view/219/184.
KELLY, C. 2010. Use of MS Excel in Management.Retrieved March 10, 2012 from
http://www.articlesbase.com/management-articles/use-of-ms-excel-in-manage
ment-2193298.html.
EBRAHIM, Z. and ZAHIR, I. 2005. E- Government Adoption. Retrieved February 19,
2012 from www.emeraldinsight.com/1463-7154.htm/pdf.
FLYNN, K. 2009. Employee Monitoring. Retrieved from http://www.ejisdc.org/ ojs2/
index.php/ejisdc/article/view/648/311
GUPTA, S. 2004. Regulating Internet use in the Workplace. Retrieved March 10, 2012
from http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/648/311
HOMBURG, W. 2008.Benefits of Internet to Organizations. Retrieved March 10, 2012
from
http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/648/311
INDIAN NAVAL ACADEMY, 2008.E-Readiness Assessment Reports. Retrieved
December 3, 2011 from http://www.egovcenter.info/eReadiness Assessment
Reports/tabid/1581/ Defaultaspx.
INFODEV. 2005. E-Readiness as a Tool for ICT Development. Retrieved November 23,
2011 from http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/E-readiness _as _a
tool.pdf.
JENSEN, M. 2002. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as Tools for
Improving Local Governance in Africa.Retrieved November 20, 2011 from
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/8755/10488439950NEEDS_ASSESSMENT_A
FR-final.pdf/NEEDS%2BASSESSMENT%2BAFR-final.pdf.
JOSE, M. W. 2009. E-Readiness Assessment of the Benguet Provincial Capitol
Employees. Pp. 1-53.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
LAVIN, M and QUIANG, Y. M. 2004.The Relevance of E-Readiness.Retrieved
December 3, 2011 from http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/ index.php/ejisdc/ article/
view/219/184.
MARIANO, V. D. 2004.Introducing Electronic Governance in the Philippines.Retrieved
November 24, 2011 from http://www.igi-global.com/viewtitlesample.aspx?
id=11424.
MORSE, A. 2011.Information and Communications Technology in Government.
Retrieved December 3, 2011 from http:// www.nao.org.uk/ publications/ 1011/
ict_in_government.aspx.
PALM. 2010. The value of Smartphones and Handheld Devices for Government
Continuity of Operation and Emergency Response. Retrieved March 10, 2012
from http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/219/184.
PRATT, E. 2010.Basic Instruction on Use of MS Word.Retrieved March 10, 2012 from
http://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/infotech/word.htm.
PATRICIO, F. L. 2004. Electronic Baking and E-Readiness Adoption.Retrieved
November 25, 2011 from http://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:323246/
FULLTEXT01.
PICCI, L. C. 2006. Limitations of E-Readiness.Retrieved December 3, 2011 from
http://www.ejisdc.org/ojs2/index.php/ejisdc/article/view/219/184.
SUTTLE, R. 2012. Computer Uses in Government Offices. Retrieved March 10.2012
from
http://www.ehow.com/list_6847664_computer-uses-governmentofficeshtml.
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORAGAN IZA
TION, 2002. Municipalities as ICT users.Retrieved November 20, 2011 from
http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/files/8755/10488439950NEEDS_ASSESSMENT_A
FR-final.pdf/NEEDS%2BASSESSMENT%2BAFR-final.pdf.
UNITED NATION. 2003. Using ICT in Governance Sector. Retrieved March 10, 2012
from
easlis.mak.ac.ug/component/content/article/35-latest.../519-unctad.
UNITED STATE AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL GOVERNMENT. 2010. Status
of E-Readiness Assessment Around the World. Retrieved November 23, 2011
from http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/E-readiness _as _a
tool.pdf.
E‐Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Employees / Jayson C. Berto. 2012
Republic of the Philippines
BENGUET STATE UNIVERSITY
La Trinidad, Benguet
College of Agriculture
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
GOALS and
January 26, 2012
OBJECTIVES
The Department exists
to:
HON. GREGORIO T. ABALOS JR.
1. Provide inst
ruction for
Municipal Mayoor
the acquisitio
n of
La Trinidad, Benguet
relevant kno
wledge and
skills essen tial to
developmen
t
SirAbalos Jr.:
communicat
ion work;
Greetings!
2. Provide traini
ng ground
for developm
ent
I am a 4th year College student of Benguet State University, taking up
communicat
ors who will
Bachelor of Science in Development Communication. One of the requirements
uphold the ideals an
d
needed for us to graduate is to complete a thesis. At present, I am conducting my
standards of instructi
on,
thesis titled “E-Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local Government Unit
research and extensio
n in
Employees”. This entails conducting interviews with some of the department
the fields of developm
ent
heads and floatsurvey questionnairesto staffs.
journalism, communi
ty
In this regard, may I request for an interview with the heads of different
broadcasting and
departments and float my survey questionnaires to the respective staffs? This will
educational
provide me with the desired data for my study.
communication;
Rest assured that the data will be used for academic purposes only.Thank
3. Create innovative
you very much and your positive response to this request is highly anticipated.
alternative
communication
strategies and
opportunities that shall
Respectfully yours,
draw the full potentials
of learners and
practitioners of print,
JAYSON C. BERTO
radio, and television.
Researcher
4. To conduct researches or
field studies; and
Noted:
5. To formulate and
implement extension and
development programs.
CHRISTINE GRACE B. SIDCHOGAN
Adviser
Office Address:
2nd floor, College of
Agriculture Complex,
Benguet State
University, La Trinidad,
ANNA LIZA B. WAKAT
Benguet
Department Chairperson
Email Address:
devcombsu@yahoo.com.
ph
APPENDIX B
Survey Questionnaire
For the Respondents
E-READINESS ASSESSMENT OF LA TRINIDAD LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
This study aims to assess the e-readiness and application of La Trinidad Local
Government Unit employees specifically it aims to determine the status of employees on
adoption and application of ICT tools.
All information in the questionnaire will be treated confidentially and will be used for
academic purposes only. Thank you very much for your time and cooperation.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS CAREFULLY AND ANSWER
HONESTLY.
I.
RESPONDENT’S PERSONAL DATA
1. Name: __________________________________________________
2. Age: ________
3. Gender:
Male
Female
4. Civil
Status:
Single
Widow/Widower
Married Separated
5. Highest Educational Attainment:
Elementary
level
Vocational
level
Elementary
graduate
Vocational
graduate
Secondary
level Masters
Secondary
graduate
Doctorate
College
level
College
graduate
6. No. of Years in Government Service: ________
7. Office/Department: _________________________________________
II. Availability and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools.
Put a check mark under the appropriate column if the enumerated ICT tools are available in your office and also if it is owned
or office property.
Put a check mark also on your levels of expertise in using the identified ICT tools and how often you use it (office or home)?
Legend:
Levels of Expertise
Frequency
of
Use
1 – Never - I have never used this
1 – Never used it
2 – Poor -I need more basic training/assistance
2 – I use it at least once to thrice a month
3- Average - I need to improve my skills
3 – I use it three to four times a month
4 – Very Good - My skills are sufficient for my work
4 – I use it at least once to thrice a week
5 – Excellent- I am open/willing enough to teach this to others
5 – I use it daily
ICT TOOLS
AVAILABILITY
OWNERSHIP
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY OF
EXPERTISE
USE
YES
NO
OWNED
OFFICE
1
2 3 4 5
1
2
3 4 5
PROPERTY
AUDIO AND AV
PLAYERS
TV
DVD
player
CD
player
Radio
ICT TOOLS
AVAILABILITY
OWNERSHIP
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY OF
EXPERTISE
USE
CAMERA YES
NO
OWNED
OFFICE
1 2 3
4
5
1
2
3 4 5
PROPERTY
Manual/Automatic
Digital
Camera/Digicam
DSLR
COMPUTERS
Desktop
Laptop
Handheld
(Palmtop)
APAD
COMPUTER
ACCESSORIES
Scanner
Webcam
Printer
(LAN)
Wireless
Printer
Flash Drive (USB disk)
LCD
Projector
Digital
Photocopier
Dot
Matrix
Biometrix
PHONE
Cellphone
Telephone
Others please specify…
II.b. Use of Software programs
Please answer the identified software with a checkmark. This will answer what are the software programs you know to operate.
How often do you use it? And what’s your purpose of using it?
Legend:
Level of Expertise
Frequency
of
Use
Purpose
of
Using
1 – I have never used this
1 – I never used it
1 – for office documentation
2 – I need more basic training/Assistance
2 - I use it at least once to twice a month
reports and assignments
3 – I need to improve my skills
3 – I use it three to four times a month
2 –to enhance more what I
4 – My skills are sufficient for my work
4 – I use it at least once to thrice a week
know
5 – I am open enough to teach this to others
5 – I use it daily
3 –to learn more new things
4 – for social networking
SOFTWARE
LEVELS OF
FREQUENCY USE
PURPOSE
APPLICATION
PROGRAMS
EXPERTISE
MICROSOFT OFFICE
1
2
3
4
5
1
2 3 4
5 1 2
3 4 Applicable Not applicable
to my
to my work
work
MS Word
MS Excel
MS Publisher
MS
PowerPoint
MS
Frontpage
MS
Access
Database
Others
please
specify:
AUDIO,
VIDEO,DRAWING &
PHOTO EDITING
Audacity
Moviemaker
Adobe
Premiere
Power Director
Corel Draw
Photo
Impression
Adobe
Pagemaker
Adobe
Photoshop
AutoCad
Others
please
specify:
WEB-BASED
PROGRAMS
Internet
research
(www)
Social networking
• Blogging
• Yahoo messenger
Others
please
specify:
III. Levels of support of the La Trinidad LGU to enhance the skills of employees with regards to ICT use.
Please put a check mark to level the support of the La Trinidad LGU.
Legend:
Levels of Support
1 – Less supportive (NS) – They give less priorities to ICT needs
2 – Moderately Supportive (MS) – they have provided most of the things I need with this matter
3 – Very Supportive (VS) – I am satisfied with what they provide. They provide the needs of the office.
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
1
2
3
LS
MS
VS
Accessibility and availability of internet connection
Accessibility of resources
Upgrading ICT tools (changing of obsolete hardware and
software to the latest )
Implementation of trainings/workshops related to ICT use
Others please specify:
IV. Problems experienced by the employees in starting and improving ICT use.
v.i. PERSONAL PROBLEMS
In terms of :
Problems
Recommendations/Suggestion
Age
Sex
Economic Status
Degree (Course
Attained)
Willingness to learn
ICT tools
Others please
specify:
v.ii. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS
Problems
Recommendations
Hardware maintenance (Computers,
printers,scanner, etc)
Network Connections (connections of
computers such as LAN or wireless)
Others please specify:
v.iii. RESOURCE PROBLEM
In terms of:
Problems
Recommendations
Accessibility of ICT tools
Availability of ICT tools
Others please specify:
v.iv. SUPPORT PROBLEM
Problems
Recommendations
Trainings (for
enhancement)
Peer teaching
(willingness of
colleagues to teach you
use any ICT facility)
Others please specify:
Document Outline
- E-Readiness Assessment of La Trinidad Local GovernmentEmployees
- BIBLIOGRAPHY
- TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- REVIEW OF LITERATURE
- METHODOLOGY
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
- SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- LITERATURE CITED
- APENDIX A
- APENDIX B