One of the main challenges facing local governments is to provide public services in accordance with the needs of increasingly digitized citizens.
This is explained in the 2020 report “Experiences in digitization processes in Costa Rican municipalities,” from the Information and Knowledge Society Institutional Program (PROSIC forthe Spanish acronym). The same report specifies that in 2017, 82% of Costa Ricans owned smartphones, according to data from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT).
That’s why adopting new information and communication technologies (ICT) is a central element in the modernization processes of government management. Through ICT, municipal governments can improve their services, increase citizen participation, make their work transparent, make internal management more efficient and, in this way, solve complex problems in an easy and timely manner.
Apps in Guanacaste
Municipalities in Guanacaste haven’t remained behind in launching applications for citizens to use. Four out of 11 in total have an app that offers different services.
The Voice of Guanacaste reviewed local governments’ websites and social networks in the province to identify which ones have developed mobile apps. We downloaded the available apps and explored them.
Here is the list of apps available and what you can do in each one:
1. Municipality of Abangares
App: Abangares Ciudadano (Abangares Citizen)
Available on IOS and Android
What can I do in the app?
- Read information about processes and news from the municipality.
- Send citizen reports.
- Send suggestions.
- Request services.
- Find out the route and hours of garbage collection.
2. Municipality of Tilaran
App: Gobernemos (Let’s Govern)
Available on IOS and Android
What can I do in the app?
- Read information about processes and news from the municipality.
- Find out about job openings and local events.
- Send citizen reports.
- Get alerts about any natural threat.
- Do paperwork.
- Read recommendations and business guides.
3. Municipality of Liberia
App: MuniLiberia
Available on IOS and Android
What can I do in the app?
- Read information about processes and news from the municipality.
- Find out about job openings and local events.
- Send citizen reports and complaints.
- Read a business guide.
- Chat with municipal officials.
- Access the local government directory and business guides.
4. Municipality of Nicoya
App: Necoc
Available on IOS and Android
What can I do in the app?
- Read information about processes and news from the municipality.
- Find out about local events.
- Access the directory of business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Access the local government directory.
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