CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy convened department heads for a strategic meeting focused on harnessing Artificial Intelligence to streamline city hall operations. The initiative aims to slash red tape, cut costs, and create a more inviting environment for the local business sector.
A Strategic Push for Efficiency
The newly reinforced Task Force on Revenue Generation, Digitalization, Expense Reduction, and Process Streamlining will lead the transformation. The mayor emphasized that inter‑office collaboration is essential to make government services faster, simpler, and more transparent. The goal is to turn bureaucratic hurdles into seamless digital experiences for every resident and entrepreneur.
Department managers were instructed to break down administrative silos that have long delayed permits and tax assessments. By integrating workflows across offices, the city aims to dramatically shorten transaction times. The move is a direct response to the growing demands of Cagayan de Oro’s rapidly expanding economy.
Four Pillars of Reform
The task force operates on four core pillars. Revenue Generation will improve tax collection and compliance tracking to boost municipal income. Digitalization will convert paper‑based processes into automated systems accessible online. Expense Reduction targets operational waste, while Process Streamlining redesigns workflows to eliminate redundant approvals.
Together, these pillars form a comprehensive blueprint for modern governance. The mayor noted that when each pillar functions in harmony, the city can reinvest savings into critical public services. The framework is designed to be measurable and accountable, with clear metrics for each department.
AI to Power Faster Government Transactions
Artificial Intelligence sits at the heart of the modernization drive. The city plans to deploy AI tools for automated data processing, intelligent document routing, and even AI‑assisted customer support. These systems will allow business owners to track application statuses in real time and receive instant responses to common inquiries.
The technology is expected to cut the turnaround time for business permits and licenses from days to hours. For local entrepreneurs, this means less time waiting in queues and more time growing their enterprises. The city’s investment in AI reflects a commitment to making Cagayan de Oro a pioneer in digital governance within Mindanao.
Boosting the Business Climate
A key objective of the initiative is to improve the ease of doing business, in line with Republic Act 11032. By eliminating bureaucratic friction, the city aims to attract more investors and nurture homegrown micro, small, and medium enterprises. A predictable, efficient regulatory environment is a powerful magnet for capital.
Cagayan de Oro already serves as the economic hub of Northern Mindanao, and these reforms are designed to accelerate that momentum. Business owners have long called for faster processing of government documents, and the AI‑driven overhaul directly addresses those concerns. The city government views the private sector as the primary engine of job creation and shared prosperity.
A Model for Digital Governance
The initiative aligns with Mayor Uy’s #RISECDO platform, which prioritizes innovation and infrastructure development. By embracing emerging technologies, the city sets a benchmark for other local governments in the region. The digital transformation also builds public trust by making government actions more transparent and data‑driven.
As the task force begins its work, residents can expect more services to move online with simplified interfaces. The mayor pledged that the government will remain responsive to the evolving needs of its citizens. Cagayan de Oro is positioning itself not just as a commercial center but as a smart city ready for the future.
