MANILA CITY Hall’s Go Manila, a mobile app that offers digital access to all financial services customarily provided onsite, continuously upgrading its systems to make the application multi-featured and more user-friendly.
The city government seeks to develop Manila into a “Smart City,” a technologically equipped community that utilizes digital transformation to foster self-reliant citizens.
“As time goes by, we want to, as much as we could, cater all transactions—ayon ‘yong end goal. Basically, what you see in [the Manila] City Hall is what we want to offer in Go Manila,” Marco Abad, officer-in-charge of the computer services of the treasury department, told the Manila Pulse.
(As time goes by, we want to, as much as we could, cater all transactions—that is the end goal. Basically, what you see in [the Manila] City Hall is what we want to offer in Go Manila.)
The City of Manila’s official website describes Go Manila as the official mobile app that offers remote financial services with a more “diverse” mode of payment, it’s not just for the constituents of Manila but also to its global users, making it a convenient tool for anyone needing remote financial services.
“Maraming natulungan, kasi may ibang tao raw na galing abroad or probinsya na lumuluwas raw ng Manila para mag bayad ng tax, kaso dahil sa Go Manila, pwede na online,” the officer-in-charge said.
(It has helped a lot, because some people who came from abroad or the provinces traveled to Manila to pay their taxes. But because of Go Manila, it can already be done online.)
Abad said Go Manila can assist those unfamiliar with the digital portal's features, offering a comprehensive support system, including modules, video tutorials, onsite tutors, and hotlines through calls, text, and email, ensuring that users can navigate the app with ease.
He added that the users of Go Manila are diverse, especially regarding business permits from all age brackets, citing 2022 data that revealed the process of getting and renewing business permits, which was 100% completed through the mobile app.
“We want it to be the most user-friendly we could give it kasi para maging madali for everyday [use]. If it could be done in one, two [or] three clicks, gagawin namin ‘yon,” he explained.
(We want it to be the most user-friendly we could give it, so that it can be easy for everyday [use]. If it could be done in one, two, [or] three clicks, we would do it.)
Go Manila is operated by the computer services department of the city hall. It was launched during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on July 11, 2020.
The digital platform was initiated by former Manila mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso, but was sped up due to the COVID-pandemic when financial concerns could only be accommodated remotely.
Abad said continuous improvement on the basic features of the mobile app and the publication of more manuals are some of the augmentations its users can look forward to. – Joyce Ann Cabral/Manila Pulse
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