DOST to hold 3rd International Smart City Expo in Isabela

by Info @Brand Zone | May 21, 2025

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the local government unit of Cauayan City Isabela (ISU) is set to hold the 3rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) on May 22-24, 2025, at the Isabela Convention Center, Cauayan City.

Cauayan City, Isabela is the first smart city in the Philippines, designated by the DOST in 2025. The city has implemented various digital solutions to improve network and services such as the installment of free WiFi in its 65 barangays.

With the theme, “Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities through Government-Academe-Industry Collaboration,” the three-day event will showcase a wide range of activities including talks on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster management, smart cities and communities, and in mobility and smart transportation.

Also, some of the highlights of the event will be the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Cities Awards, the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle (MOCCOV) Operations Olympics, E-Sports tournament, and the Hackathon.

There were also exhibits of AI, robotics and startup innovations, and cutting-edge advancements in water management, textiles, smart agriculture, and circular economy. These exhibits will serve as a platform to discuss details and commitment for possible transfer of technologies and commercialization.

Moreover, with the aim to transform communities through active citizen-engagement, and to further promote the Smarter Philippines mission, the DOST Regional Office 2 is also set to secure its partnership with various government agencies, and academic institutions such as the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region 2, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Isabela State University (ISU), King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Thailand and the Cauayan City LGU.

For the past two years, the iSCENE has become an opportunity to bring together government agencies, academe, industry players, and international partners for collaboration and knowledge-sharing to achieve smart, resilient, and sustainable communities.

To know more about the event, visit the official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/iSCENE.PH  (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)

One of the most anticipated parts of the 3rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) is the awarding of the Philippines Smart and Sustainable Communities. 

The 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐒𝐂 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 is a prestigious recognition given to 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 in their localities. (Photo credits to https://iscene.ph/ ).

Lagundi at VCO trials kontra-COVID-19, malapit nang ilabas

ni Lolet Abania | June 27, 2021

Posibleng sa susunod na buwan mailabas ang paunang resulta ng pag-aaral sa mga herbal medicines ng Pilipinas na lagundi at virgin coconut oil bilang potensiyal na gamot para sa mga pasyenteng may COVID-19.

“'Yung VCO at lagundi, malapit na po siguro, by next month, baka mayroong preliminary analyses kung anong sinasabi ng datos ng pag-aaral na ito,” sabi ni Dr. Jaime Montoya, director ng Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development sa interview ngayong Linggo nang umaga.

Matatandaang sinabi ni DOST Chief Fortunato Dela Peña na ang clinical studies para sa paggamit ng VCO kontra-COVID-19 ay makukumpleto sa pagtatapos ng June habang ang clinical trials para naman sa lagundi ay nagsimula noong October ng nakaraang taon.

Ayon sa DOST, nakumpleto ang Phase 2 ng clinical trials para sa VCO noong November habang ang completion ng hospital-based clinical trials para rito ay dapat sanang matapos noong May 31.

Subalit, ayon kay Montoya, naghihintay naman ng maraming volunteers na nais lumahok sa pag-aaral sa clinical trials para sa herbal plant na tawa-tawa na panlaban sa COVID-19.

“'Yung tawa-tawa po, medyo hindi ganoon kabilis ‘yung pagkukuha ng lalahok kasi ito ay boluntaryo, so ito, matatagalan pa nang kaunti,” saad ni Montoya.

Noong 2020, sinabi ng DOST na pinag-iisipan nilang gamitin ang tawa-tawa upang madagdagan ang treatment sa mga pasyenteng infected ng COVID-19.

Noong November, ibinunyag naman ni Montoya na isinagawa na ang Phase 1 clinical trials para sa tawa-tawa.

Trial ng 2 magkaibang brands ng bakuna, start na

ni Mary Gutierrez Almirañez | May 24, 2021

Sisimulan na ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) ang clinical trial hinggil sa paghahalo ng magkaibang brand ng COVID-19 vaccines, batay sa panayam kay DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña ngayong umaga, May 24.

Aniya, "Ito po ay magkaibang bakuna sa 2 doses. Meron po tayong 7 bakuna na approved with an EUA (emergency use authorization) pero ‘di po natin masiguro kung darating sa tamang petsa ‘yung kailangang second dose kaya mangangailangan tayo na magkaroon ng kombinasyon ng bakuna."

Nilinaw niyang magpo-focus ang trial sa Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines at ilang candidate na bakuna para i-combine rito.

Dagdag pa niya, "Gagamitin po 'yan para magkaroon tayo ng basis kung alin ang magandang ipag-mix. Puwede naman lahat ‘yan, kaya lang titingnan kung ano ang mas magandang kombinasyon."

Iginiit din ni Peña na tatagal nang mahigit 18 months ang pag-aaral ng DOST, kung saan 1,200 participants mula sa Manila, Rizal, Pasig, Makati, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Cebu at Davao ang nakahandang sumalang.

Sa ngayon ay hinihintay na lamang nila ang approval ng Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at Health Research Ethics Board (HREB) para masimulan ang trial sa Hunyo.