EROPA Bulletin Volume 34 Nos. 3-4 | Page 28

28 EROPA Bulletin Governability (Management)... (From page 27) Innovation and Creativity of Public Services in the Integrated Licensing Services Board of Bandung City Dr. Dayat Hidayat discussed the ways by which information and communication technology (ICT) is used to augment the quality of licensing services delivered by the Integrated Licensing Services Board (BPPT) in Bandung, Indonesia. Dr. Hidayat earlier explained that citizen satisfaction is one of the most important determinants of an effective public service delivery system. He asserted that the use of ICT could address citizen satisfaction and contribut to the performance of local government institutions in a decentralized government system. Dr. Hidayat gave an overview of the BPPT, including its functions, main tasks and services. He iterated on the use of information technology (IT) in the management information system (MIS) implementation. He noted positive changes in the BPPT after the implementation of IT-based services: 1) revenues from licensing services have increased; 2) behavior and performanc of staff and personnel have improved; and 3) a system of checks and balances was improved, with the citizens now being able to monitor the progress of BPPT services. Dr. Hidayat hailed the BPPT as a breakthrough innovation and recommended that appropriate infrastructures for ensuring transparency and promotion of the BPPT should be put in place. The Role of Municipalities in the Social Security and Tax Number System This year, the Japanese government decided to adopt the social security and tax number system in order to: 1) enhance social security to serve people who Vol. 34 Nos. 3-4 (July-December 2013) truly deserve it; 2) achieve equitable distribution of the financial burden associated with payment of taxes; and 3) develop efficiency in both collection and administration. In his treatise, Tomohiro Nomura proposed that the Japanese Social Security and Tax Number System be implemented via the cooperation of municipalities. He believed that local officials (i.e. mayors and governors) will contribute to its success-depending on their respective competencies. He adds that the system will be beneficial to other local governments as well since relevant information can be accessed between and among them. He shared the delegation of roles among administrative units and clarified why municipalities play a big role in its success. Dr. Andy Al Fatih inquired if there is a prerequisite for introducing the system particularly at the national level. According to Mr. Nomura, ten years ago, citizens were not able to comprehend the network system. However, today they are beginning to recognize its importance. Although he confirmed that the system was originally envisioned to serve local governments, national government agencies can also use the network system in order to improve efficiency. He believed that it can be applied throughout Japan. Implementation of Management Information System for Integrated Sub-District Service Administration (SIMPATEN): The Need or Opportunity? Dr. Etin Indrayani looked into the implementation of the Management Information System for Integrated Sub-District Service Administration (SIMPATEN), which aims to improve