The Development Academy of the Philippines- Center for Strategic Futures (DAP-CSF) led by Majah-Leah V. Ravago, PhD, President and CEO, spearheaded the launch and turnover of the Malolos Smart City Roadmap held in Ortigas Center, Pasig City on April 18, 2024.

It symbolized the collaborative commitment between DAP and the City Government of Malolos, headed by City Mayor, Atty. Christian D. Natividad, towards advancing Malolos into a smarter and more sustainable development community.

DAP-CSF has selected the City of Malolos as a beneficiary of its transformative LIPAD PH program, initiated in 2023. Through a process of assessment, validation, and workshops, the project aims to propel Malolos into a modern city equipped with innovative solutions tailored to its needs. Utilizing methodologies like design thinking, technology matching and start-up hackathon that encouraged local innovators to devise solutions addressing specific gaps and challenges.

Moreover, citizen engagement played a substantial role in the project, with Malolos residents actively contributing ideas and feedback through citizen sourcing initiatives. Private partners also pledged their support, ranging from technical expertise, underscoring a collective commitment to realizing the Smart City vision for Malolos.

In the middle of the program, EnP. Edgar M. Reyes, Jr., PhD, Technical Lead of the DAP Smart City Assessment and Roadmap Development Project from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, presented the key highlights of the Malolos Smart City Roadmap including the six (6) domains Smart People, Smart Environment, Smart Mobility, Smart Economy, Smart Living and Smart Governance.

In a statement, Reyes pointed out that, “With the level of maturity, that we found out for Smart City Malolos and we looking to here it is at Level 2, that means there are initiatives on being smart for Malolos City that they can spill to develop it further to be at Level 4.”

Delving into technicalities, several gaps, and areas for improvement within Malolos City, his presentation aimed to outline the necessary steps to achieve the development goals outlined in the roadmap.

Following this was the official turnover of the roadmap between DAP-CSF and Malolos City, which became the highlight of the event.

Hon. Atty. Christian D. Natividad, passionately articulated his pledge of commitment to the Malolos Smart City Roadmap. With clarity and conviction, he affirmed his dedication in making the goals and objectives laid out in the roadmap a reality. Mayor Natividad’s pledge resonates deeply, demonstrating not only his personal resolve but also the collective determination of the city’s leadership to actively pursue transformative initiatives.

“Sama-sama po tayo sa pagsulong ng isang matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay”, said Natividad.

Natividad’s commitment was swiftly succeeded by the significant event of LIKHA Malolos Ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding Signing with Private Partners. This momentous occasion was brought together by DAP, Malolos City, and Sentrify Technologies Corporation, marking a collaborative step towards progress and innovation.

Several Local Government Units such as Baliwag City, Meycauayan City, San Jose Del Monte City, Guiguinto, Bulacan, Sta. Maria, Bulacan, together with different National Agencies such as Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region III and IV-A and private institutions, CLIXLogic, Inc., Sentrify Technologies Corporation and academic institution, Bulacan State University took part and witnessed the symbolic turnover of the Malolos Smart City Roadmap.