Pasig LGU, DOST-NCR Sign Partnership to Implement Smart and Sustainable City Program through iSTART

The Department of Science and Technology- NCR (DOST-NCR) signed an agreement with the City Government of Pasig last June 6, 2024 at the 8th Floor, People’s Hall, Pasig City Hall, to implement the DOST’s “Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program,” and the “Smart and Sustainable Communities (SMART) Program” in the city.

To be implemented for a period of three years, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen Tresvalles, Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto, Pasig City Administrator Atty. Jeronimo Mazanero, and Mr. Oscar Sevilla Jr., Supervising Science Research Specialist and Officer-in-Charge of DOST-NCR’s PAMAMARISAN (Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina and San Juan) Clustered Area Science and Technology Office (CASTO). 

The City of Pasig is one of four Metro Manila local government units (LGUs) included in the DOST’s list of “80 by 2028,” the initial number of LGUs nationwide to be included in the agency’s “Transforming LGUs Towards Society 5.0” project. The other three are the Cities of Muntinlupa, Caloocan, and Quezon City.

As described by Science Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., the SMART Program will facilitate the integration of various technologies and innovations within the key areas for intervention to harness the benefits for the welfare of the communities and bring positive change in the lives of every Filipino through promotion of human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection and sustainability.

Under theiSTART Program, DOST-NCR will be helping the City of Pasig in developing a technology-based development plan to improve and enhance its digital infrastructure; engage researchers, scientists, and engineers who will support technology-based investments and projects in the city; and attract new technology-based investments in accordance with the validated plans in collaboration with the LGU.

A comprehensive science, technology, and innovation (STI) plan will also be developed that will fit the needs and address the gaps that will be identified during consultation with LGU’s STI Technical Working Group, in line with the SMART Program’s grassroots approach.

By: Pinky Marcelo, SCCU