The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has formally turned over science, technology, and innovation (STI) roadmaps to the cities of Pasig and Caloocan to support their transition into smart and sustainable communities.

The handover took place during the opening ceremony of the 2025 Regional Science, Innovation and Technology Week of the DOST–National Capital Region on 24 November 2025, at the Technological Institute of the Philippines in Quezon City.

In his keynote message, the DOST Secretary said that the persistent development barriers faced by millions of Filipinos continue to drive the agency’s push for the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), launched in 2023.

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

Through the SSCP and the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development (iSTART) Program, DOST–NCR has been working with local government units, including Pasig and Caloocan, to develop evidence-based policymaking frameworks and strategic science and technology investments for sustainable urban development.

Both programs also aim to deploy technology-driven solutions in sectors such as agriculture, governance, and transportation.

Pasig City received its Smart City 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-developed with the Pasig Science and Technology Innovation Technical Working Group. The roadmap outlines initiatives through 2030 geared toward inclusive, smart, and sustainable governance.

Caloocan City also received its roadmap titled “KILOS: Kalookan Initiative for Leadership, Outcome, Science, and Sustained Development (2026–2028),” which details STI-based initiatives to be implemented until 2028 in pursuit of becoming a smart and sustainable city.

To date, DOST has partnered with 116 local government units nationwide to help craft smart and sustainable community roadmaps, deploy smart solutions, and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders and development partners.

DOST emphasized that the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program is anchored on four pillars — human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability — under the OneDOST4U advocacy, which promotes “solutions and opportunities for all.”