MAASIN CITY (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has extended a half-million peso grant to the local government of Maasin City to fund practical science and technology innovation initiatives that would benefit communities.
Officials led by Mayor Nacional Mercado and Vice Mayor Maloney Samaco, together with members of the Sangguniang Panglungsod, received the giant symbolic check on January 3, from DOST Regional Director Ernesto Granada, Smart City Program Coordinator Ramil Uy, and DOST Provincial Head Emmanuel Lagdamen.
The grant will be used by the project called “Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Ecosystem Development Toward a Smart and Sustainable Maasin City,” or Smart Maasin City.
“The journey to become a Smart Maasin City is a long one,” said Councilor Mikhael Mercado in his welcome remarks during the short turnover ceremony, citing requirements that included a working online environment, ISO certification, digital security certification, and strong internet service, among others.
Mercado, chairperson of the SP Committee on Science and Technology, and Information and Communications Technology, emphasized that he considered it his mission to put the city on the map among the DOST-supported smart cities.
City Mayor Nacional Mercado (in a striped polo shirt) held the big replica of the P500,000 check issued by DOST for the Smart City program of Maasin City. Also in the photo are Vice Mayor Maloney Samaco (third from right), with the Sangguniang Panlungsod members, DOST Regional Director Ernesto Granada (sixth from right), Smart City Program Coordinator Ramil Uy (5th from left), and DOST Provincial Director Emmanuel Lagdamen (5th from right). (Photo courtesy of Mayor Mercado)
In his message, DOST Regional Director Granada talked about a shared vision for a sustainable city, saying the turnover marked the “formal commencement of a collaborative effort with lasting socio-economic impact, to develop innovation, and to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting technologies.”
During a photo opportunity, Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado proudly displayed the P500,000 check. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Mercado)
During a press conference following the turnover, Smart City Program Coordinator Uy disclosed that the initial amount would be used for capacity and capability building activities to ascertain what specific governance concern would be focused on so that similar funding can be downloaded soon.
Aside from fitting MSMEs with the latest technology, moves on digitization of processes to streamline ease in doing business with the city LGU, as well as the efficient delivery of basic services, will be among the suggested priorities, with DOST providing the technical back-up, said Uy. (LDL/MMP/PIA Southern Leyte)
