DoST turns over smart cities’ roadmaps

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) has handed over specialized science, technology, and innovation (STI) roadmaps to the city governments of Pasig and Caloocan to help them develop smart and sustainable communities.

The turnover ceremony took place Monday during the opening of the DoST-National Capital Region’s (DoST-NCR) 2025 Regional Science, Innovation and Technology Week, held at the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Quezon City.

In his keynote address, DoST Secretary Renato Solidum stressed that the struggles of millions of Filipinos facing systemic barriers to development inspired the agency’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program. Launched in 2023, the SSCP is a people-centric, technology-driven strategy aimed at transforming communities.

“Smart and sustainable communities are for them, for the students to improve their learning capacities, workers to ease their daily operations, urban farmers and fisherfolks, senior citizens, [and] persons with disabilities,” said Solidum. 

“When driven by inclusive science and technology-based solutions, we can create a better picture of a Filipino’s daily lived realities.”

Through the SSCP and the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development (iSTART) Program, DoST-NCR works with local government units (LGUs) like Pasig and Caloocan to create roadmaps. These documents feature evidence-based policymaking and strategic S&T investments essential for sustainable urban development.

Pasig City received its roadmap titled “AGOS Pasig: Accelerating Growth and Opportunities through Science for Progressive, Adaptive, and Sustainable Innovation in Governance Pasig Smart City Roadmap 2025-2030.”

Co-drafted with the Pasig Science and Technology Innovation (SATI) Technical Working Group, it outlines the city’s initiatives until 2030, anchored on principles of inclusive, smart, and sustainable governance.

Meantime, Caloocan City received its roadmap titled “KILOS: Kalookan Initiative for Leadership, Outcome, Science, and Sustained Development (2026-2028).” This roadmap, drafted by the Caloocan City Science, Technology, and Innovation Technical Working Group, contains STI-based initiatives set for implementation until 2028.

To date, the DoST has partnered with 116 LGUs across the country to assist in crafting these roadmaps, adopting smart solutions in key areas like agriculture, governance, and transportation, and collaborating with various stakeholders.