Recognizing the efforts of the local government units (LGUs) in developing their communities and improving the quality of life through science, technology and innovation-driven solutions.
At the recent National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (2025 NSTW), in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced the first-ever champions of the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Communities Award (PSSCA).
All received entries were grouped into four thematic categories namely Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, and Sustainability.
According to DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) Regional Director Nancy Bantog, entries were evaluated based on the level of maturity or readiness of technologies implemented and deployed in the cities.
“Projects are evaluated according to their level of readiness and maturity in implementation. This is to ensure that LGUs at different stages of progress are given equal opportunity to be recognized,” said Bantog.
After a thorough evaluation of the entries, Baguio City bagged the Wealth Protection, Wealth Creation, and Sustainability awards.
The Wealth Protection Award was given for the deployment of smart solutions that focus on enhancing resilience through climate-adaptive technologies and science-driven disaster preparedness to safeguard communities and resources from environmental risks.
The LGU has Rain-Guard, a smart rainfall and flood resilience system for real-time preparedness and climate protection.
Meanwhile, the Wealth Creation Award is for successfully generating economic growth by integrating smart solutions to create value-adding products, services and other solutions towards national and regional development.
Baguio created Workpass, which is described as a digital leap in enabling jobs and regulating workforce mobility.
Lastly, the Sustainability Award was conferred for environment stewardship and climate-resilient community through TERRA, a system that bridges technology and nature for resilient living.
Meanwhile, the city has also implemented BMRSys: Building on a Health-Secure Baguio with Data, Dignity and Digital Compassion under the Human Wellbeing category.
Although, it was Carmona City, Cavite that was declared as champion in the Human Well-Being category through its One Digitized Carmona: Building Smart, Inclusive, and Sustainable Communities Through Data-Driven Governance program.
The award recognizes the smart and sustainable solutions to ensure health and nutrition, food safety and security, access to clean water, clothing, shelter, and efficient transport systems.
Among the 29 nominees, DOST also awarded Emerging SSC Award (Level 1); Expanding SSC Award (Level 2); Sustained SSC Award (Level 3); and Transformative SSC Award (Level 4).
However, Bantog said none of the nominees achieved the highest level of award, which is the Transformative SSC Award or Level 4—indicating that none of the projects implemented in cities have influenced policy frameworks on a larger scale and have been replicated by other LGUs.
Winning entries received a plaque of recognition and PHP500,000 worth of proposal-driven project fund.
As defined by the DOST, a smart city is a community that leverages technology and innovation to enhance urban functionality, sustainability, and livability, making it more responsive to its inhabitants.
It also uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to improve the quality of life for citizens, enhance service delivery, foster a competitive economy, and promote a sustainable environment.
The Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) is one of the many initiatives of the DOST aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.