TACLOBAN CITY– Borongan City is taking some major steps as it aspires to become a ‘smart city.’
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in collaboration with Isabela State University (ISU) – Cauayan Campus and LGU-Cauayan City, conducted a smart city assessment and roadmap formulation last May 10-12, 2023.
The three-day event aimed to harness smart and sustainable technologies and practices in the country and was spearheaded by City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda and DOST Regional Director Engr. Ernesto Granada.
Mayor Agda expressed his interest in the project, saying that ‘technology adaptation will make public service more efficient and will make civil servants more accountable to the people they serve.’
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. Mayor Agda emphasized the significance of the agriculture sector in the city and how the Smart City initiative could help it grow and develop.
Mayor Agda 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.
The city mayor designated city information officer Rupert Ambil II to chair the smart city campaign.
The project will involve the harmonization of the efforts of various stakeholders, including national agencies, city departments, NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
