The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) signed Wednesday, Nov. 24, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the city government of Sta. Rosa, Laguna seeking to transform the city of Sta. Rosa to high-level smart city.
DOST Calabarzon Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit, Mayor Arlene B. Arcillas, and Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla, Officer-In-Charge (OIC)-Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST-Calabarzon inked the pact for the six-month project on “Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Development of Santa Rosa City”.
"As an urbanized city, making Sta. Rosa as a smart city will further transform the city to be smart and sustainable. This project will involve development of a roadmap that will lay down the local development agenda of the City anchored on established Smart City indicators and the Sustainable Development Goals,” DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Pena said in his keynote message.
The project will be implemented by DOST-Calabarzon in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP).
“This will be a six-month project that will assess Sta. Rosa City on its status towards becoming a smart city. It will be coupled with the roadmap development which will contain a menu of actionable smart city solutions and interconnected interventions that would lead to the city’s growth and transformation as a smart city,” de la Peña said.
“It will also include urban development strategies using technology solutions that contribute to the pandemic recovery agenda and the “better normal” policy of the national government,” he added.
DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang described as a “commendable” initiative the DOST-Calabarzon’s Smart City project with the city of Sta. Rosa.
"I believe that this is a powerful move that, little by little, we replicate this initiative and help other city municipalities to adopt this framework.Becoming a smart and sustainable city has many economic and social benefits – it will enhance citizen engagement and collaborative partnerships; provide public access to open data; provide an integrated, holistic approach to city projects; and improved the life of people.”
DOST-Calabarzon Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit said the project aims to catalyze the development of a smart and sustainable City of Santa Rosa and will then be replicated and adopted by other cities in our country.
“Under the memorandum of agreement, a smart city task force will be created followed by a baseline and assessment activity that will be conducted to determine the smartness level of the local government unit,” she said.
“A smart city roadmap will also be crafted that will be used as the basis towards becoming a high-level smart city,” she added.
She congratulated their project partners and beneficiaries for yet another accomplishment in the Calabarzon region.
“I hope that we will still be able to create more programs and projects that will further boost science, technology, and innovation in your communities to make you feel and see that science is really for the people,” Bagsit said.
"Don’t hesitate to reach out to our regional and provincial offices should you wish to collaborate with us. Rest assured that we will be here to support you towards achieving a scientific, progressive, and sustainable environment.”