UP Baguio Students’ Electronic Record System Transforms Operations at Public Attorney’s Office

The collaboration between the BS Computer Science students of Ms. Ashlyn Kim Balangcod and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) of the Cordillera Administrative Region has culminated in the development of the “PAO Electronic Record System,” which is now fully implemented and operational at the Public Attorney’s Office in the Baguio City Justice Hall.

The project, which began as part of the CMSC 128: Software Engineering course during the 2nd Semester of the Academic Year 2023-2024, has grown into a fully functional system thanks to the tireless work of the students, who continued its development into their senior year. Under Ms. Balangcod’s mentorship, the students worked diligently to design a system aimed at modernizing the office’s record-keeping process, making it more efficient and accessible.

According to Atty. Cecilia Bacani, a key contact at Public Affairs Office, the system has been running smoothly since its full implementation in April 2024 with very few glitches. “We are very happy with the benefits of the system,” said Bacani. “While it is still undergoing further developments, it has already proven to be a huge help to both our office and our clients.” The system facilitates the management of client records and case files, reducing the time spent searching for physical documents and allowing for faster and more accurate access to case information.

The official launch of the project took place on April 3, 2024, when the University of the Philippines Baguio and the Public Attorney’s Office – Cordillera Administrative Region (PAO-CAR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the project’s continued implementation. The MOA was signed by then-UP Baguio Chancellor Corazon L. Abansi and Atty. Henry M. Francisco, Regional Director of PAO-CAR, cementing the partnership between the two institutions.

Atty. Francisco echoed the same sentiment, praising the students for their dedication to the project. “This system will significantly improve the workflow within the office, enabling us to serve our clients more effectively.”

The “PAO Electronic Record System” is just the beginning of what may be a broader collaboration between UP Baguio and the Public Attorney’s Office. Both institutions are hopeful that this partnership will continue to yield more innovations that can enhance public service and justice delivery in the region.

As the system continues to develop, its potential to streamline legal processes and provide better access to justice for the people of Baguio City and surrounding areas remains high. With this project, the students have left a lasting impact on the legal community, proving the real-world value of their academic work.

For now, the PAO-CAR is excited about the continued benefits of the system and looks forward to even greater improvements in the future.