IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Probably, in trying to impress their constituents or win elections, we hear local government executives harping about creating “smart cities” in their territories. More often, they use these “smart city” initiatives to justify their reclamation projects. Simply put, they will make “smart cities” beside their existing cities (or towns).

To better understand the term “smart city”, let us take the case of the other cities in the world that are so serious in this initiative. First and foremost, we should know that last year, the United Nations projected that there will be a huge surge in the population (68%) in the urban areas around the world by 2050. This surge in the population in the urban areas will not only worsen the current traffic situation but will certainly strain the existing infrastructure and services. Also, addressing the residents’ basic needs such as energy, water and sanitation will be a huge challenge.

A "Smart" city will be developed in Clark Freeport Zone, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) Chief Agnes Devanadera said.

"We have a proponent working on the smart city. It was affirmed and confirmed by the national government of Korea that they are really interested in Clark," Devanadera said on SMNI's "Business and Politics" program hosted by The Manila Times Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dante "Klink" Ang 2nd.

“Since we are now living in a digital world, we want to make information and services available to all our constituents online,” Mayor Edwin Santiago said.

Dexter Dancel, Management Information Technology Division (MITD) head, disclosed that the city’s online portal uses the latest liquid design technology, which allows the screen to adjust and allows visitors to access the website without distortion of texts or links.

The recent advances in information technology and communications have prompted a desire to update the housing industry, one of the oldest and most conservative industries.

As we strive to develop new ways to structure our cities, there has been much interest in smart cities, which allows for the collection of data and information that could help decision makers better serve residents.

Siegfred Mison, BI Officer-in-Charge, said the Department of Justice has approved installations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport amd Clark International Airport among other terminals.

“Since 2012, BI computers at the NAIA had ‘downtimes’ at least 15 times lasting for several minutes, that led to queues and manual processing of passengers at the immigration counters,” he said.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez issued the statement so as to guide those who may think otherwise.

“Where you applied for the ID is where you should go. The ID is also not released in the barangay. Many are saying that the barangays are where you will collect your ID. This is not true,” he said in Pilipino during a television interview.

THE Automated Election System (AES) Watch already predicted (Episode I) late last year that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) wouldn’t conform with the deadline set by the AES law (i.e., RA9369) for yesterday, February 9, 2016, specifically compliance with the provisions related to tests and certifications (http://www.manilatimes.net/fearless-forecast-comelec-will-not-comply-with-the-aes-law-in-2016/236874/).

It all came true – source code reviews have problems and have not been completed; comparisons of source codes with equipment are yet to be done; contingency plans have not been certified, etc.

Microsoft Philippines hopes to gain the support of Cebuanos as it rolls out an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) manifesto that contains policy recommendations to facilitate progress and boost competitiveness in the country’s ICT sector.

The tech giant collaborated with the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the Asian Institute of Management and other private stakeholders in coming up with a policy paper that highlights recommendations on how the Philippines can take the next step in its ICT development agenda powered by the right technology.

At the recently held International Symposium on eHealth and Telemedicine, representatives from the Philippines as well as India, Pakistan, Malaysia and the World Health Organization (WHO) presented new ideas and developments in telehealth.

The bicameral conference committee, headed by Sen Aquilino Pimentel III, approved the proposal taken from House Bill 3469 and Senate Bill 1030, which requires all voters to appear before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to have their photograph, fingerprints and signatures recorded.

HB6052 was passed on May 23, while SB1030 was approved on November 12.

Broadband provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has committed to improve internet connectivity in Davao City by linking it to an international cable system that will be activated in 2024.

Converge CEO and co-founder Dennis Anthony Uy said his company would boost and expand its network infrastructure in Davao to support its push to become a digital city.

Uy told Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte that Converge would keep on investing in Davao City, especially as the firm builds up its international bandwidth.

Urban planners are urged to integrate cybersecurity investments in smart city blueprints to avoid attacks on the operational technology infrastructure of the country’s future smart cities, a cybersecurity firm said. Cyfirma president for delivery and operations Saurabh Lal told the Philippine News Agency that it is critical to integrate cybersecurity investments during the planning stage for a smart city, and not after all digital technologies are already in place.

The software doesn't convert writing into computer text, but provides an efficient system for directly putting medical information into a computer database.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Monday said it has released P878.5 million to the DOST Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) to support the second phase of the Integrated Government Philippines (iGovPhil) project.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has launched its digital transformation roadmap, in support of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s digitalization efforts to enhance bureaucratic efficiency and ensure sound fiscal management.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said the 2022-2026 Digital Transformation Roadmap would serve as a tool to build a convergent hub consisting of Application Programming Interfaces, utilize GovTech, enable Digital Tax Bypass, and leverage Data Engineering and System Integration.

The Department of Budget and Management has teamed up with Land Bank of the Philippines in implementing the use of a digital charge or debit card for faster, cost-efficient government transactions.

The initiative, which will be implemented “at the soonest possible time,” follows and builds on the release of budget funds using online channels, regarding which the DBM also partnered with Landbank in December 2022.

Some 30 members of the DFA-OCA attended the training led by the Inter-Agency Committee against Passport Irregularities (ICPI), the DFA said.

"From this pool of trainees, a core group will be formed to strengthen the Anti-Fraud and Investigation Unit of DFA-OCA's Passport Division," the DFA said in a news release on its website.

Voting 12-0 on Tuesday, lawmakers approved on the third and final reading Senate Bill No. 50, which calls for the reorganization of communications-related agencies into a separate entity known as the Department of ICT or DICT.

“We thank our lawmakers for this historical step,” the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines said, reacting to the news on Tuesday.

It is a technology designed to enhance access to healthcare in remote villages.

In a recent interview, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said they have rolled out 100 units of equipment in various areas of the country to test the efficiency of the system. If the test will succeed, the official is eyeing to roll out the technology on 2012.

Among the highlights of the recently concluded National Science and Technology Week sa Amihanang Mindanao is the sealing of the DOST’s partnership with the first five mayors who expressed interest in building smart and sustainable cities and communities in the region on October 25 at Limketkai Luxe Hotel.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will pave the way for a vibrant partnership of DOST-10 with the LGUs and other stakeholders in outlining projects that will address the challenges of the urban and regional life of communities through harnessing science, technology, and innovation. The partner LGUs, in partnership with their Provincial S&T Offices, are given the opportunity to conceptualize and propose their own projects under this program, based on the need, opportunities, and visions of their communities.