February 13, 2005
Section: Opinion
Page: 18A
Online access to GovGuam services could help cut expenses
Readers
By C.J. Urquico |
Over the years, iCON Corporation
has been at the forefront of the government of Guam's existence in the
World Wide Web. From the smallest of agencies, such as the Guam Energy
Office, to larger ones, like the Guam International Airport Authority,
iCON has developed various Web sites that have brought the benefits of
the online community to the people of Guam. We believe that further
development of GovGuam online brings public service to the doorstep of
Guam residents, who benefit through the availability of information and
education, effective communication, convenience and an overall
efficiency online.
Online access to government services will not only improve the quality
of life for the people of Guam, but will also reduce government
expenses. Government agencies that offer their public information
through Internet media will reduce the need for print material, phone
calls, faxes and letters, which will substantially save the public time
and money. As an example, the Office of the Public Auditor has
experienced the advantages of a successful Internet presence for a
number of years. Utilizing iCON's comprehensive service, OPA
communicates, through both e-mail and the Web, up-to-date information
on audits that account for how GovGuam agencies and those entrusted to
run them spend public money.
Furthermore, advanced Internet technologies could make transactions
more convenient for both private and public sectors. Currently, Web
sites of the Guam International Airport Authority, Office of the
Lieutenant Governor, Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority and the
Guam Municipal Solid Waste Landfill extensively utilize downloadable
formats of documents and forms. Businesses can review Request for
Proposals online and download bid packets, saving both time and money
for all involved. Such materials are conveniently at the fingertips of
the Internet user. Downloading and printing is then at the expense of
the inquiring individual rather than taxing the government's budget.
Further implementation of these Internet technologies brings about a
world of exciting possibilities! Imagine a government of Guam portal
listing individual agency Web sites, with robust search features that
can provide information on any topic that the user requires.
Professionally developed online database systems will make government
operations fast and effective. Online databases are flexibly utilized
in a number of different ways, including directories for better
communication, statistical analysis and historical archives. Large
archives of important documents can be digitized for both research and
for preservation. For example, iCON was instrumental in documenting
informational files for the privatization of the Guam Telephone
Authority Web site. For UOG's Water and Environmental Research
Institute, literally thousands of pages of research documents were
digitized, published online and organized with the help of a robust
database.
Existing electronic financial transaction and Internet form
technologies could mean an increase in speed and efficiency in paying
bills or applying for various licenses and permits.
A government that can function and do business online is a government
committed to efficient public service. The goal must be to embrace the
rising tide of Internet technologies and place all government
information and services for the benefit of the people that Guam's
government serves. The people of Guam can't afford to be left behind.
C.J. Urquico is a senior Web developer for iCON Corporation, a Web development and online marketing company.
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