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The Department of Science and Technology – Region 1 (DOST-1), through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Ilocos Norte (PSTO-IN), has embarked on a transformative initiative to improve Laoag City’s transportation system as part of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP).
During a planning workshop held in September 2024, city officials and department heads identified transportation as a critical challenge in Laoag, the capital and a key commercial and economic hub in the province. In response, PSTO-IN collaborated with transportation experts and technology generators, including Dr. Syrus Borja Gomari (former DOST Balik-Scientist, and Founder – CEO of MobilityVision+) and Mr. Timothy Joshua Vargas (Co-Founder of MobilityVision+), to develop innovative solutions that address these mobility challenges.
On January 28, 2025, a virtual meeting was held, where experts presented the MobilityVision+ and seermo platforms, which may be tailored to meet the needs of Laoag City. Mobility Vision+ is a scalable, AI-driven solution designed to support smart, sustainable urban mobility infrastructure decision-making and traffic law enforcement. The platform enables sustainable mobility and livable cities by counting people instead of solely relying on private vehicles as the key metric. The session was attended by the SSCP Team from Laoag City and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), and other stakeholders.
Dr. Gomari, emphasized the importance of ensuring equitable access to safe and sustainable mobility for all citizens. “We have designed Seermo to be tailor-fit for the local urban and transport planning needs of Philippine cities and their respective LGUs—making it the first of its kind, not just in the Philippines but globally. Our goal is to ensure that, economically (business-wise), environmentally, and socially, it creates a win-win situation for all stakeholders,” said Dr. Gomari.
The initiative aims to alleviate urban congestion, streamline traffic flow, and encourage the adoption of green and sustainable transport options for residents of Laoag City and the province as well.
DOST-1, together with its partners, will continue to study and collaborate on the project to ensure its successful implementation. As part of the effort to foster long-term development, DOST-1 is committed to providing accessible, eco-friendly, and smart mobility solutions. The City of Laoag expressed its gratitude for the collaboration, recognizing the significant benefits the project will bring to the community’s mobility and overall development.
