TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The local government recently entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with various government agencies and state universities for the adoption of available technologies that will make Tabuk a Smart City in the future.
The concerned parties committed to strengthen collaboration and partnership to be able to jointly implement existing technologies vetted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and to conceptualize and develop projects aligned to Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities towards a Smart Tabuk City.
The MOA is pursuant to accelerate government efforts in providing knowledge and expertise to the community through data-driven business decision support system for operational activities of the city.
The parties enjoined all barangays in the city, departments or offices of the local government to provide support and implement the projects; strictly abide with the provisions of the Data Privacy Act and other issuances in data build up, data gathering and data analysis to always secure the security of data in all levels; participate in all activities by the parties involved; promote responsible production and use of data and adopt technologies introduced by the other parties deemed necessary for socio-economic transformation of Tabuk.
Among those who signed the agreement were Mayor Darwin C. Estran֮ero, of the Tabuk City government; Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, University President of the Isabela State University (ISU); Dr. Eduardo T. Bagatang, President of the Kalinga State University (KSU); Dr. Virginia G. Bilgera, regional director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 2, Aracely A. San Jose, regional director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the Cordillera; Engr. Pinky T. Jimenez, regional director of the Department of Information and Technology (DICT) in the Cordillera and Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, regional director of the DOST-CAR.
Under the agreement, Tabuk will assist in establishing linkages in the public and private sectors involved in the promotion of science, technology and innovation in the livelihood of people and communities; assist in the formulation and implementation of DOST technologies and projects and provide the appropriate funds for the said projects on a co-sharing scheme under the public-private partnership program efforts of industry development concept; extend cooperation, assistance and resources of the project during the establishment, operations, trainings and implementation; monitor the participation of barangays and LGU offices and departments in compliance with the same; provide financial and administrative support to KSU for the conduct of activities in support to the implementation of programs for Smart and Sustainable City of Tabuk; shoulder the strong internet connection cost for the activity operations; incorporate information and communication technology plans of parties in the development plans of the city; provide the appropriate security to KSU and ISU personnel and authorized persons and entities involved in the projects; designate skilled personnel of the city to develop local content and coordinate public information and announcement in the locality and perform such other responsibilities as may be agreed upon from time to time by the parties.
Further, the parties will jointly monitor the implementation of the Smart and Sustainable Communities’ program and activities of Tabuk with the concerned agencies and the local government as lead agencies.
The development and implementation of specific projects and activities based on the agreement may be separately agreed upon with a MOA with any of the parties involved.
The parties shall designate their respective representative to coordinate efforts in the implementation of Smart and Sustainable Communities’ programs and activities for Tabuk in relation with the said agreement. They may submit their respective reports and commence such actions and policies as may be necessary.
