Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, alongside City Councilor Archie Baribar and three other City Hall officials, attended the “Smart Urban Governance for Sustainable Cities and Communities” seminar earlier this week in Pasig City. The seminar, sponsored by the Development Academy of the Philippines, introduced those in attendance to the concept of “smart cities.”
Among the topics discussed included urban planning and management in the Philippines, challenges and opportunities, and implications to the agenda of building smart cities for Filipinos.
Earlier this year, ahead of a memorandum of agreement to bring free Wi-Fi to Iloilo City public offices, parks, plazas, and certain streets, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said, “The partnerships are a big help for us in our quest to become a ‘Smart City.’”
Additionally, the Iloilo City government previously announced, amid plans to provide faster services to city residents, they were partnering with Smart Communications to bring innovative technology to the city, including access to a mobile payment options.
“They will introduce a mobile payment application,” the mayor said. “They are going to partner with us in our quest to become a ‘Smart City’ and I am very excited.”/WDJ