The future of cities may be digital, but the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) believes the heart of a smart city is still its people.
This message resonated throughout the third International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE), hosted by Cauayan City—one of the country’s pioneering smart cities.
While the spotlight was on technologies that once seemed far-off, such as artificial intelligence in governance, robotics in farming, smart textiles and renewable energy for climate-resilient infrastructure, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that iSCENE is not just a showcase of high-tech innovation, but of collaboration.
“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 event held from May 22 to 24 carried the theme “Innovation in Action: Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities through Government-Academe-Industry Collaboration.”
The Science chief described smart technology as innovations that improve and accelerate production and processes, while sustainability ensures that such advancements do not degrade the environment.
Defining ‘smart city’
SMART cities are defined by the International Organization for Standardization as urban areas that use data and digital innovation to enhance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Locally, the DOST defines a smart city as an integrated, adaptive and responsive system where people, institutions, policies and infrastructure are aligned to achieve common goals through technology.
DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang noted that one of the agency’s primary indicators for selecting local governments into the program is leadership interest.
“We look for ‘believers’—leaders who trust that science, technology, and innovation can drive development and improve lives,” Mabborang said in Filipino during the news conference.
As of now, 91 local government units (LGUs) are enrolled in the program, with 10 to 15 more awaiting onboarding, delayed due to the election-related restrictions.
“We’re confident we’ll reach at least 100 LGUs by year-end,” Mabborang said.
He cited Cauayan City as one of the top 1,000 communities with active startup ecosystems. This, he said, was a sign of how local innovation can flourish with the right support.
Gaps in progress
Despite growing interest, the Philippines still lags behind other nations in smart city development.
A 2023 survey by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the World Bank found that among 115 urban LGUs, 70 percent were still in the planning phase, 61 percent had ongoing smart initiatives and only 56 percent had begun crafting supportive policy frameworks.
In the 2024 Index of Multiple Deprivation Smart City Index, the country ranked 121st out of 142 cities—slipping further from its previous rank of 115th out of 141.
Recognizing local efforts
DOST launched the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Cities Awards during iSCENE.
From 58 entries, 29 cities and municipalities were nominated across the country, including Baguio, Quezon, Muntinlupa, Bacolod, Butuan and Dapitan.
The entries were grouped under four categories, namely Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection and Sustainability, while nominees were judged on innovation, relevance, impact, sustainability and implementation.
Winning LGUs will receive project funds ranging from P500,000 to P1 million with plaques of recognition. Their initiatives will also be documented as best-practice case studies for replication across other LGUs.
Top winners in each category, along with an overall champion, will be awarded during the 2025 National Science and Technology Week in November.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Bless Aubrey Ogerio
Quelle/Source: Business Mirror, 08.06.2025
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