HOW LGUS TURN COMMUNITIES INTO SMART CITIES

HIGH-RISE smart buildings with energy-efficient designs, residential houses with solar panels and green roofs, and electric vehicles (EVs) that include buses and cars are among a smart city's common representations. But what does a smart city really look like, based on the designated smart communities in the country?

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) defines a "smart city" as a community that leverages technology and innovation to enhance urban functionality, sustainability and livability, making it more responsive to its inhabitants. It uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to improve their citizens' quality of life, enhance service delivery, foster a competitive economy, and promote a sustainable environment.

In 2022, the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) drafted the "Expanded Framework on the Development of Smart, Resilient, and Sustainable Cities and Communities," to guide smart city development efforts. The framework emphasizes key indicators of a smart and sustainable community: economic opportunity; education; environmental quality; water and wastewater; energy; finance; governance; health and living recreation; safety, security, and resilience; infrastructure; transport and mobility; urban planning; and empowerment and inclusion.

In 2015, Cauayan City in Isabela was declared as the Philippines' first "smart city." Digital solutions in the place, like free Wi-Fi in 65 barangays (villages), a citizen ID system, a dedicated city app, and a digital farmers program benefit both residents and businesses.

To date, about 91 local government units (LGUs) are already enrolled in the DOST's Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), with 10-15 cities on the waiting list. This number exceeds the agency's target number of 80 LGUs.

A 2023 survey conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the World Bank showed that 70 percent of the 115 urban LGUs were preparing for smart city development, 61 percent had ongoing smart city initiatives, and 56 percent established policies to support said development.

Thriving examples

Santiago City, Isabela, is one of the 29 nominated cities for the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) Award 2025, launched by the DOST to recognize the LGUs' unwavering efforts in developing their communities by integrating science, technology and innovation.

According to Planning Officer Jonathan Uy, the inauguration of the new Research and Innovation for Sustainable Empowerment Center (RISE-C) is the most crucial part of their effort in developing Santiago City into a smart community. The Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and data management efforts come next.

According to Isabela State University (ISU) Santiago campus, Santiago City's partner academe, RISE-C is designed to be a dynamic hub for interdisciplinary research, technology and innovation. It aims to empower faculty, students and partner agencies to address real-world challenges through smart agriculture, climate action, public health, education and disaster resilience.

The LGU of Prieto Diaz in Sorsogon, one of the vulnerable areas when it comes to tsunamis, is enhancing its disaster risk management and preparedness. Prieto Diaz has also been promoting its residents' well-being. A feeding program using DOST's coco product technology and the locally innovated soya milk product is improving its undernourished children's nutritional status.

Because of these initiatives, Prieto Diaz was recognized as the best CEST Community at the regional level last year, which is critical to its nomination for the SSC Award this year.

The International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) is a DOST initiative that promotes and implements innovative solutions that would be instrumental to the creation of smarter and sustainable communities. It serves as a platform to bring local chief executives, government leaders, and industry players together for knowledge-sharing, connection, and network-building.

For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph.

2025-06-09T16:17:52Z