38 gov’t agencies in EV now have their own websites

TACLOBAN CITY - At least 38 national government agencies based in the region now have their own websites that were developed by the Eastern Visayas Information Sharing Network (EVISNet), an inter-agency approach to make the region a model in the use of information technology in government offices.

Developed websites in 2007 were for the Regional Development Council (RDC) and its sectoral committee members. It also hosts 46 websites of the RDC as of last year.
“In 2007, the project focused its activities on the implementation of the Eastern Visayas Online (EV Online). The project envisioned a single portal for all agencies,” said Teresita Escobar, finance and administration manager of EVISNet.

The EV Online developed its portal with web address www.evonline.net.ph in December 2006 and this was launched in January 2007. The target was to develop four websites per month.

Escobar said that that this is one of the innovations implemented by the project to make government services available online that would attract potential investors and guide the planners.

“People don’t have to personally visit offices to obtain information and know the services since many of our government agencies are now connected to the World Wide Web,” Escobar told Leyte Samar Daily Express.
For every agency, there are designated web masters who underwent training to maintain and update the webpage.

She claimed that EV Online also monitored the visits to these websites to determine if these are being accessed by the intended users and the general public. EVISNet officials recorded at least 101 visits a day and 1,647 visits a month.

“We will continue to improve this year by way of providing a world class portal and      relevant information and communication technology services responsive to local and global needs,” Escobar added.

For the whole year of 2007, EVISNet operated the network with a 1.5 Mbps bandwith provided by Innove Communications. The system still has analog dial-up lines for its pre-paid and post paid subscribers. During the year, continuing disconnection of dial-up lines were implemented by batch leaving the Network with 9 dial-up lines, 3 lines provided by Bayantel, and 6 lines by Globe.

| Prior to the launching of EV Online, the IT project of the National Economic Developent Authority (NEDA) has focused on providing internet access to some government agencies and state universities and colleges (SUCs).
“Last year we have realigned our thrust to the development of websites for government agencies who are members of RDC,” she said.

EVISNet continue to publish its website through its web address www.evis.net.ph . This website contains basic information and links including international, national and local news; sports and weather updates; foreign exchange;  information on new hardware, software and sharewares; links to e-government websites, e-learning, e-travel, magazines, music, law e-libraries, jobs, games, shops, search engines, e-banks and e-cards, SUCs websites; NEDA Director’s corner – views on the economy; a bulletin board for invitation to bid; and EVISNet information on its services and technical assistance. (Sarwell Q. Meniano)