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DOST launches first PH Smarter City Belt Project

Philippines | National

DOST launches first PH Smarter City Belt Project

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched the country's first ever Smarter City Belt Project in Cagayan Valley, which seeks to address the challenges in the region through the use of science, technology and innovation (STI), and enhance opportunities related to sustainable development.

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña (TOTO LOZANO/ Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña reported that DOST Region II (Cagayan Valley) Director Sancho Mabborang introduced the first ever Smarter City Belt Project in the country.

"This is expected to highlight synergies and collaborations between and among clustered cities and municipalities that leads to smart outcomes,” he said in his weekly report on Friday, March 26.

He described Smarter City Belt as a collaborative project that aims to make cities in the region future-ready.

"This can be done by using the latest technologies and innovations from DOST, the R&D outputs of the state colleges and universities and those from the higher education institutes,” he said.

He noted that the Smarter City Belt Project "is composed of Cauayan City in Isabela, the first smarter city in the region together with three other chartered cities in the region-- Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Santiago City and Ilagan City in Isabela, and emerging growth centers in the towns of Bayombong and Solano in Nueva Vizcaya, Maddela, Cabarroguis, Maddela and Diffun in Quirino, Lallo and Sta Ana in Cagayan, and Basco in Batanes Islands."

De la Peña graced the launch, along with City Mayors Jefferson P. Soriano of Tuguegarao and Joseph Tan of Santiago. Soriano and Tanpresented their City’s Smart Initiatives. The launch was held on March 23.

The DOST chief said during the launch, Mayor Bernard Dy of Cauayan City in Isabela also presented their journey and accomplishments in achieving socio-economic development through STI. Cagayan City is the prime model of Smarter City in the country.

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