DOST-CALABARZON Turns Over Smart City STI Plans to Lipa City and Taytay at 2025 RSTW

Photos from DOST CALABARZON via Facebook

August 14, 2025 – Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - CALABARZON marked a significant milestone in promoting smart and innovative governance as it officially turned over the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Plans to the City of Lipa, Batangas and the Municipality of Taytay, Rizal. The ceremonial handover was held during the opening of the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) at the Ynares Event Center in Antipolo City.

These STI Plans are the final outputs under the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development (iSTART) project, a flagship program of DOST-CALABARZON. iSTART is designed to support local government units (LGUs) in integrating science, technology, and innovation (STI) into their local planning and governance processes—essential tools for advancing their transformation into smart cities and municipalities.

Each STI Plan contains comprehensive baseline data, a Smart City Roadmap, and a curated set of programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) that align with the LGU’s development priorities. These documents are envisioned to serve as strategic blueprints to help Lipa and Taytay chart their path toward smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

Photos from DOST CALABARZON via Facebook

During the turnover ceremony, Ms. Daisy R. Babaan, City Planning and Development Officer, received the STI Plan on behalf of Lipa City, while Hon. Allan Martine S. De Leon, Mayor of Taytay, accepted the plan for his municipality.

In her brief remarks, Ms. Babaan expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort, highlighting how the STI Plan will enhance data-driven decision-making in Lipa’s city planning. Mayor De Leon echoed similar sentiments, noting the potential of the STI Plan to accelerate Taytay’s goal of becoming a technologically advanced and resilient municipality.

DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director, Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal, emphasized the agency’s continued commitment to assist and monitor the progress of the LGUs in implementing the plans. “Our partnership with local governments does not end with the turnover. DOST-CALABARZON will continue to provide technical assistance and evaluate how the STI Plans are being utilized to ensure they contribute meaningfully to each LGU’s smart city journey,” Dr. Madrigal said.

The 2025 RSTW celebration serves as a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in science and technology in the CALABARZON region. With this turnover, DOST-CALABARZON reaffirms its role as a catalyst for innovation-driven development, one LGU at a time.

Stay connected with DOST-CALABARZON for more updates on S&T activities and initiatives across the region.

Tags: #SolutionsOpportunitiesForAll | #RSTWinCALABARZON | #DOSTCALABARZON

By: Meme Borja