THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all barangay (villages) nationwide to adopt the Local Government Unit Support System-Barangay Information Management System (LGUSS-BIMS), a web-based platform designed to modernize village administration. Under the new memorandum circular, LGUSS-BIMS will allow villages to systematically record, update, and manage essential data, including resident profiles, financial transactions, local ordinances, village assets, and disaster response information. The system’s 11 interconnected subsystems also enable real-time monitoring, reporting and data sharing with higher-level local government units (LGUs). “The adoption of LGUSS-BIMS standardizes village data management while enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” the DILG said in a statement. The system was designed to support evidence-based governance, providing villages with data for development planning, budget preparation, peace and order initiatives, and disaster risk reduction programs. According to the latest DILG report, 9,774 out of 42,011 villages (23 percent) are actively using LGUSS-BIMS, while 14,008 villages (33 percent) have completed orientation on the system. The DILG emphasized that data privacy and security remain top priorities. Access to village websites under LGUSS-BIMS is restricted and fully compliant with the Data Privacy Act, reflecting the sensitive nature of the information being handled.