Rather than imposing high-tech solutions from the top down, the head of the science agency called for locally grounded innovations to shape the future of smart communities.
At the third International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) in Cauayan City, Isabela—which is regarded as one of the country’s pioneers in “smart governance”—Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. underscored that communities must not be passive recipients of technology.
“What truly defines iSCENE is not simply the cutting-edge technologies on display—it is the culture of co-creation we are nurturing,” Solidum said virtually in his keynote speech.
“Here, we are not merely showcasing innovation, but actively engaging local communities as co-designers of their own futures,” he added.
Launched in 2023, iSCENE serves as a platform where DOST brings together the government, academia, industry, and international partners to collaborate on building “smart and sustainable communities” across the country.
This year’s theme, “Innovation in Action: Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities Through Government-Academe-Industry Collaboration,” spotlights technologies that seemed theoretical, such as artificial intelligence (AI) in governance, robotics for agriculture, smart textiles and renewable energy systems for climate-resilient infrastructure.
“This year’s theme serves as a reminder that the future we envision will not materialize on its own—we must build it together,” Solidum reiterated.
The science secretary also acknowledged the growing number of local government units (LGUs) adopting smart governance models, some of whom trace their initial foray into innovation back to early participation in iSCENE.
At the heart of iSCENE is the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), a DOST initiative that guides LGUs in leveraging technology and collaboration to redesign and reimagine how communities function.
The science agency’s own framework defines a smart city as one that is integrated, adaptive, and responsive, drawing together people, organizations, policies and infrastructure to achieve shared goals through technology.
Globally, the International Organization for Standardization defines a smart city more broadly as an urban area using data and digital innovation to drive social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Yet, despite growing interest and isolated successes, the Philippines continues to lag behind other nations in smart city development.
A 2023 survey by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the World Bank among 115 urban LGUs found that 70 percent are in the planning stages of smart city development, 61 percent have ongoing smart initiatives and 56 percent have begun crafting policy frameworks to support this shift.
In the 2024 IMD Smart City Index, the country ranked 121st out of 142 cities, slipping from its 2023 placement of 115th out of 141.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Bless Aubrey Ogerio
Quelle/Source: Business Mirror, 25.05.2025
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