GOVPH

One of the much-awaited events of the 2025 National Science, Technology and Innovation Week (NSTW) is the awarding of the top communities from among the nominated cities in the 2025 Philippine Smart and Sustainable Communities Award.

For the past two years, since the Smart and Sustainable Cities Program (SSCP) of the DOST was introduced, local government units (LGUs) across the country expressed their interest in partnering with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and adopting smart and sustainable technologies applicable to address certain problems in their area.

To recognize the efforts of these LGUs to develop their communities through science, technology, and innovation, DOST opened a search for the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Communities Awards earlier this year.

After a thorough evaluation, 29 cities out of the 58 entries were presented as nominees, during the 3^rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) 2025, held at Cauayan City, Isabela in May 2025.

Submissions of entries were categorized into four thematic areas: Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection and Sustainability.

Of the 29 nominees, DOST will award Emerging SSC Award (Level 1); Expanding SSC Award (Level 2); Sustained SSC Award (Level 3); and Transformative SSC Award (Level 4) on November 21, 2025, at Centennial Arena, Laoag City.

According to DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region, who handles the SSCP, this recognition reflects the maturity levels in the implementation of Smart and Sustainable initiatives of the LGUs.

It added that this approach of categorization will ensure that LGUs are encouraged to participate and showcase their smart initiatives regardless of their level of progress.

The Transformative Smart and Sustainable Communities Award is the highest level of recognition, awarded to projects that achieved local impact. These projects have influenced policy frameworks at a larger scale and were replicated by other LGUs.

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.

Smart cities use 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 Cities Program (SSCP) is one of the programs to be featured in this year’s 2025 NSTW celebration. Aside from this, the week-long event will also showcase activities, forums, and interactive exhibits anchored on the sub-theme: Building Smart and Sustainable Communities, which aims to showcase several R&D based and scientific services that would offer long-term solutions to different communities’ pressing challenges and existing limitations.

The 2025 NSTW is open to the public. For the complete list of activities and schedule, follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nstwdost or visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)