Borongan City in Eastern Samar took a major step toward becoming a smart city after the Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus and LGU-Cauayan City, conducted a Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Formulation from 10 to 12 May 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.

Agda of Borongan 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.”

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, the private sector, academic institutions and communities to work together toward the 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 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, 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.

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. 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 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.

The Eastern Visayas State University also expressed its commitment to supporting the program by providing technical assistance and leading the research and development initiatives. A stakeholders meeting is scheduled on the second 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.

Borongan City is the first LGU in Eastern Visayas to take on the smart city development goal, underlining the city’s pioneering efforts to pursue innovative and sustainable development initiatives. The collaboration between the DoST, 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 of its residents and create new opportunities for sustainable economic development.