Borongan City in Eastern Samar took a major step towards becoming a smart city after the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in collaboration with Isabela State University (ISU) – Cauayan Campus and LGU-Cauayan City, conducted a Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Formulation from May 10-12, 2023.
The three-day event aimed to harness smart and sustainable technologies and practices in the country and was spearheaded by Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan C. Agda and DOST Eastern Viasayas Regional Director Engr. Ernesto M. Granada.
The event aimed to address S&T challenges in the city, improve the quality of life, and create new opportunities for economic development towards smart and sustainable development. The initiative is also the result of the iSCENE2023 that offers other regions in the country the chance to implement and adopt various smart and sustainable initiatives.
Mayor Dayan Agda of Borongan City expressed his excitement about the project, saying that “The implementation of this project aims to promote good governance and transparency. Technology adaptation will make public service more efficient and will make civil servants more accountable to the people they serve.”
Ms. Raquel B. Santos, the Smart City Focal Person of DOST Region II, emphasized the importance of collaboration and partnership among different stakeholders in the community, highlighting the need for local government units, private sectors, academic institutions, and communities to work together towards a common goal of building smart and sustainable communities. She also presented the agency’s Smart and Sustainable Communities program.
Atty. Reina B. Santos, the City Infotech Officer and Smarter City Officer in Cauayan City, shared the city’s journey and best practices towards becoming the first smart city in the Philippines. She discussed the city’s approach to building a smart and sustainable community, highlighting various initiatives and projects implemented in the city.
Dr. Betchie E. Aguinaldo, the Director for the Business Intelligence Research and Development Center (BIRDC), discussed the various technologies and innovations of BIRDC for the city, such as OdeSSee, Digital Business Locator, Healthguard, CDEWS, and Digital Twin Technology (OdeCitte). Her insights helped participants understand how technology can be used to improve urban living and benefit the community.
The insights shared by Ms. Santos, Atty. Santos, and Dr. Aguinaldo provided valuable information on how to build smart and sustainable communities. The participants were able to learn about the importance of collaboration, the various initiatives that can be implemented to build smart and sustainable communities, and the use of technology to improve urban living.
Following the presentations, the team helped develop Borongan City’s Smart City Roadmap, which was supported by the city’s departments and their strategic goals and mandates. The department heads created an initial plan and roadmap to address current and future challenges in healthcare, education, infrastructure, security, and agriculture. Mayor Agda emphasized the significance of the agriculture sector in the city and how the Smart City initiative could help it grow and develop.
He also mentioned the Dukwag Agriculture Mapping Project, a unique aspect of the Smart City initiative that aims to create a comprehensive database of the city’s agricultural resources, including land use and soil analysis, to help farmers make informed decisions and improve their yields.
Various stakeholders expressed their strong commitment to supporting the Smart City project in Borongan City. Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations, Ms. Marilyn O. Radam, represented DOST VIII, along with Dr. Ramil T. Uy, Smart and Sustainable Communities Coordinator in Region 8, Dr. Arnaldo T. Amosco Jr., Provincial S&T Director for DOST Eastern Samar, and DOST’s Melvin Sacmar. DICT Region VIII’s Engr. Dante Rosales also pledged to provide crucial support, such as infrastructure, equipment, and training for digital literacy and communications. Meanwhile, DICT 8’s Claire Fernandez facilitated and assessed the plans during the three-day workshop and created an initial recommendation for asset support to DICT Region.
Eastern Visayas State University also expressed its commitment to supporting the program by providing technical assistance and leading the research and development of the development initiatives of the program. A stakeholders meeting is scheduled on the 2nd week of June during the city’s charter day anniversary to kick off the next phase of the smart city project. The meeting will gather key stakeholders and partners to present and discuss the next steps of the project, review the roadmap, and identify potential areas for collaboration. This meeting highlights the city’s dedication to creating a truly collaborative effort towards achieving smart and sustainable development.
Mayor Jose Dayan Agda assigned the city information officer Rupert Ambil II to chair the smart city campaign. The project will involve synergizing the efforts of various stakeholders, including national agencies, city departments, NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector. The information officer’s role will be to lead the project, ensuring effective coordination and maximum resource utilization among the stakeholders.
Borongan City is the first LGU in Eastern Visayas to take on the smart city development goal, as this highlights the city’s pioneering efforts in pursuing innovative and sustainable development initiatives. The collaboration between the Department of Science and Technology, Isabela State University – Cauayan Campus, and LGU-Cauayan City in conducting the Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Formulation in Borongan City is a significant milestone for the city and the region. By harnessing smart technologies and practices, Borongan City aims to improve the quality of life and create new opportunities for economic development towards smart and sustainable development.
Karina is not your ordinary supermom. She juggles her time bonding with her three amazing kids while being in the loop on the latest happenings in the tech and lifestyle scene. Follow me on Instagram (@digitalfilipina) regularly visit www.digitalfilipina.com for daily dose of updates not just for moms but for everyone!
