The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) last week turned over P1 million to the local government unit of Virac as it makes its first steps toward transforming the town into a smart and sustainable city.
DOST Catanduanes Provincial Director Engr. Marie Grace T. Molina, together with officials from program partners Catanduanes State University and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), led the ceremonial turnover of the funding to Mayor Samuel V. Laynes, Vice Mayor Arlynn H. Arcilla and department heads last Jan. 16, 2025.
The capital town is one of 80 pilot areas in the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities (SMART) Program, a people-centric and technology-driven strategy to facilitate the development of communities to become smart, sustainable, resilient and inclusive, considering the uniqueness, readiness and growth potentials of each community.
In the Bicol region, the other pilot areas are Legazpi City, Naga City, Sorsogon province, Virac, Labo in Camarines Sur, and Mandaon in Masbate.
The P1-million funding will be intended for the first phase of the SSC Program, the Digitalization and Information Systems Technology.
Under the Memorandum of Agreement executed between the LGU and DOST V, the project seeks to deliver at least two (2) information dissemination to the public regarding the activity and highlighting the technological intervention at the municipality; apply at least one (1) intellectual property protection of the SMART Virac logo and IEC material developed; deploy one (1) appropriate Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) intervention in addressing identified STI-related gaps and problems of the community; identify one (1) list of best and innovative practices that could serve as basis on becoming a SMART community by other LGUs; provide one (1) appropriate avenue and opportunities to LGUs, the academe, scientists, researchers, investors, the private sector, and MSMEs to exchange ideas and discuss modernized solutions that will adhere on countryside development and technological needs of the people of Virac; establish at least one (1) linkage and connection between agencies and industries towards progressive and advanced development in the locality; build a network of professional experts and public administrators; and establish a network of institutions through community-focused policy guidelines and public-private partnerships.
The same agreement obligates Virac LGU to provide funding support of P886,920.00 for the salary and trainings of project personnel and to procure needed equipment.