DOST, BulSU launch IoT research labs to support smart city development

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and Bulacan State University (BulSU) have launched the Internet of Things Research and Innovation Laboratory for Smart Cities (IoTRILS) and the FUTURE-LAB Project in Malolos City, Bulacan on 1 December 2025.

DOST-PCIEERD Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, DOST Region III Regional Director Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat—represented by Mr. Michael Rivera, Planning and MIS Unit Head of DOST Region III—and BulSU President Dr. Teody C. Andre led the opening ceremony.

Paringit said, “Sa makabagong panahon kasi, kailangan na nating pagsamahin ang internet at ang ating mga devices… para maging produktibo, maging ligtas, at para maging efficient.”

He added that the equipment in the laboratory would help compensate for the limitations of human capability, especially during calamities or crises.

“May mga bagay na kung minsan, bilang tao, ay mayroon tayong kahinaan… Pwede nating pakinabangan itong mga sensors at computers na ito upang gumawa ng mga bagay na sa ilang pagkakataon ay hindi natin magawa,” he added, pointing to the potential of controlling water pumps in flooded areas using cellphones and Long Range (LoRa) networks.

The IoTRILS Laboratory, funded through the DOST-PCIEERD, is an Internet of Things (IoT) research and innovation facility designed to serve as a hub for research and development focused on IoT technologies, supporting the creation of smart, data-driven, and science-based solutions for regional development.

DOST Bulacan reaffirmed its full support for initiatives that advance research, innovation, smart city readiness, and regional growth.

IoTRILS focuses on developing, testing, and deploying IoT-driven solutions to address urban challenges, improve public services, and enhance the quality of life for citizens in an efficient and sustainable manner. These laboratories serve as crucial hubs for collaboration between academia, industry, and government to foster innovation.

The FUTURE-LAB Project aims to expand research and innovation in technology-driven fields.