Local officials and science administrators unveiled a comprehensive technology roadmap aimed at transforming Mandaue into one of the region’s first “smart and sustainable” cities.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Jovito M. Ouano introduced the “Smart Mandaue” Roadmap during the opening of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week. The plan seeks to improve public service and local governance through science, technology and innovation.

Ouano said the roadmap does not change the city’s ultimate goals, but rather strengthens how the local government intends to reach them by serving as a guide for integrating new technologies into municipal services.

Administered through the Department of Science and Technology’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program, the initiative focuses on evidence-backed policy making for disaster resilience, urban planning, environmental conservation and community empowerment.

The flagship project of the roadmap is the Mandaue Digital Twin, a virtual model of the city that integrates real-time data on traffic infrastructure, mobility, environmental conditions and development projects into a single platform.

Ouano said the digital twin is designed to combine geographic information systems with the city’s existing online map platform, CityMap.

The interactive, real-time system is expected to help city operations predict floods, manage traffic flow and anticipate urban challenges before they occur.

The projects under the Smart Mandaue Roadmap are scheduled to run through 2032. Beyond digital governance initiatives, the long-term plan targets economic development through regional entrepreneurship programs, public welfare projects and resilient infrastructure, including renewable energy sources.

Mandaue is one of 152 local government units across the country participating in the science department’s expanded smart communities program.

To support the regional rollout, the department’s Central Visayas office launched the Smart Community Consortium, a multi-stakeholder platform uniting government agencies, academia, private industries and local communities.

Officials and industry partners formalized the consortium through a digital signing ceremony during the event.

Tristan L. Abando, regional director of the DoST in Central Visayas, said nurturing these local connections allows simple conversations and shared concerns to grow into practical programs, technologies and solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives.