Cedula goes online

The community tax certificate or cedula can now be processed online through the Cebu City website for those who wish to avoid the time-consuming long lines to secure the document.

Veronica Morelos, the acting City Treasurer, said that website-based application had been running since March 2018 and could be accessed anytime through smartphones and computers.

“Pero if ganahan sila mag manual, open ra man gihapon atong on-site application. (But if they still will want to go manual, our on-site application is still open),” said Morelos.

“There are also assistants at the kiosks at the City Treasurer’s Office who will help for the online application,” she added.

Morelos encouraged people to use the online application as it will reduce the time spent on long lines at the City Treasurer’s Office.

Morelos said that people take time getting their cedula because they would have to fill in the necessary personal information, which could be done easily online.

“They can also estimate the amount they need to pay because it will be revealed online with the proper calculations,” said Morelos.

Morelos said that the online process is more efficient and can increase the number of cedulas released in a day.

Applicants need to visit the website, cebucity.gov.ph, click the Business permit and Cedula icon, and click on the Cedula tab at the top of the webpage.

An application form will then be revealed that can be filled out and printed to be taken to the City Treasurer’s Office for payment and the issuance of the cedula.

E-governance

Morelos said that the online cedula is Cebu City’s entry to the Search for Digital Cities in the Philippines: Best Practices in E-governance hosted by the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

“We are the first in the country to use the online medium for the application of cedula,” said Morelos.

The contest will assess different Local Government Units (LGUs) for their use of technology especially online to provide more efficient processes for their government services.

“Malaumon ta nga makadaog gyod ta anang Best in e-governance labi na aning atong online cedula. (We are hopeful that we will win the Best in e-governance award especially with our online cedula),” said Morelas.