From Manual to Automated: A Process-Centric Case Analysis of RPA Adoption in Local Government Operations

Abstract

This study examines the main operational business activities in a local government unit of the Philippines (the Tuguegarao City Assessor’s Office). It presents how Robotic Process Automation (RPA) can improve its property assessment workflow. A qualitative, process-based approach was used. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, process walkthroughs, and document reviews across the key business CAO subprocesses. A Phase-1 prototype was also developed in UiPath Studio to test automation logic for data extraction, validation, and computation within the FAAS generation process. The Appraisal and Assessment stage, where the Field Appraisal and Assessment Sheet (FAAS) is prepared, contains the most repetitive and error-prone tasks. Manual transcription from property titles/eTitles, calculation of values, and multiple rounds of data encoding and cross-checking make this the most time-consuming part of the process. Preliminary simulations indicate an estimated 75–85% reduction in FAAS processing time, translating to approximately 3,600 man-hours saved annually across key appraisal and encoding tasks. The UiPath prototype proved that automating property data extraction, valuation computation, and structured data encoding can produce standardized, audit-ready valuation records from the start. The RPA solution helps reduce human error, shorten processing time, and improve the accuracy and timeliness of the city’s revenue forecasts. These improvements support better fiscal planning and enhance the city’s ability to fund local public services. This study provides a practical and governance-aligned model that shows how an LGU can use RPA not only to make processes faster but also to connect legacy systems with new national data standards.