Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. launched over the weekend a mobile application or app for the easier provision of basic services in Barangay Namayan.

Abalos unveiled the 1Namayan app along with the village chairperson, Victor Emmanuel Francisco, at the city hall. The mayor himself spearheaded the app's creation

The mayor chose Barangay Namayan as pilot test area for the app as it already has an operational website (www.1namayan.com) and a fully functioning barangay residents identification card system with debit card features.

Said card can be easily integrated into the app, said IT experts privy to the project. The 1Namayan mobile app is free to download at the official website of the barangay www.1namyan.com.

Francisco explained the app also serves as a portal for reporting emergency situations like fires, accidents, neighborhood altercations, street crimes and also to facilitate requests for ambulance transport and first aid.

"We have to embrace the new normal brought by this pandemic," Mayor Abalos said. "Many people are using mobile phones now to conduct various transactions and it includes availing of government services."

Abalos expressed hope that other barangays will be encouraged by the success of Barangay Namayan in digitizing their services to the public.

"The Namayan app is localized and can be customized based on the needs of a particular barangay. Should other barangays develop a similar app, we'll look into the commonalities of each and then create a new app that is fit for a citywide implementation and eventually make the delivery of the city government's basic services faster and safer," Abalos said.

"What we are also proud of regarding this app is that a team composed of Barangay Namayan residents is behind this whole project. The city is very proud and thankful for their dedication to serve our constituents using digital technology," the mayor pointed out.