THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will spend P1.8 billion in the next three years to step up an ambitious computerization program that will ensure easy access to all information needed by the agency’s external and internal clienteles within the next three years.

The DENR, whose budget under the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to Congress was drastically cut by almost P2 billion, is planning to upgrade infrastructure as part of the plan. 

Secretary Lito Atienza of the DENR, during budget hearings, has been asking lawmakers to retain some of the important budget items in 2009, including the budget to upgrade the DENR’s management information system.

Atienza said the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) approved the DENR’s information system strategic plan (ISSP), which will pave the way for the computerization of the entire DENR.

The DENR chief justifies the program as necessary, saying it will integrate all DENR sectoral data and, at the same time, ensure that these are correct, updated and available for public consumption, especially for researchers, government officials and policymakers.

The ISSP, Atienza said, is a tool that would ensure information and communications technology (ICT) application in all of DENR’s areas of concern, including forestry, land, water, air, protected areas and wildlife management and sustainable use of resources.

The DENR ISSP also maps out the agency’s ICT direction, including the development and implementation of information systems as well as the corresponding resourcerequirements.

Atienza stressed the significance of the ICT project in defining the critical information systems that will support and address the DENR strategic thrusts and programs in the areas of conservation and, at the same time, management and sustainable use of resources.

“With this program, red tape will be eradicated, corruption will be lessened as this would streamline the tedious process of the permitting processes, particularly environmental compliance certificate and other DENR permits,” Atienza said. 

According to the DENR chief, computerization will eliminate data inconsistencies and provide the public with correct information they need, particularly government officials and policymakers, in order for them to have informed decision.

The ISSP will rationalize the use of ICT in all DENR business and services processes in the next three years. It will make all information available online, including the permitting process and other DENR services.

Under the computerization program, sectoral information systems will be developed and integrated in a nationwide DENR Web portal.

The DENR central office will serve as the central data repository. J. Mayuga