CARMONA, CAVITE – The City of Carmona is collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and various international partners to transform into a smart city, utilizing modern technology to improve urban functionality, sustainability, and livability.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke on Wednesday, the Carmona City government has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with DOST's Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development Program (iSTART). The MOA enables DOST to assist in transferring relevant technologies and providing training to the city's personnel.
A smart city, as defined in the Philippine context, employs innovation and technology to enhance urban areas, making them more responsive to the needs of their residents and the environment. In this vein, the Smart City Network (SCN) in partnership with DOST-Calabarzon and the city government, hosted a workshop on smart city transformation at the Carmona Training Center on Tuesday. The session featured insights from SCN chair Dr. Kok Chin Tay, also the executive director of the ASEAN Smart Cities Council, and Dr. Piyush Sinha, chief business officer of L and T Technology Services, Ltd.
During the workshop, Sinha discussed the logistical challenges and opportunities presented by the Philippines' archipelagic structure, emphasizing the potential of connectivity advancements to facilitate data sharing across islands through an open data platform. Sinha also highlighted the importance of digital literacy programs, particularly for indigenous groups, to ensure inclusive participation in the smart city transformation.
SCN, a non-profit, membership-based organization, brings together professionals with expertise across a range of fields including strategic planning, cyber security, smart mobility, and smart healthcare, among others. This collective expertise is geared towards supporting urban centers like Carmona in their journey towards becoming responsive, integrated smart cities.