DOST SOCCSKSARGEN Conducts SSCP Roadmap Consultations in Three Municipalities in Sultan Kudarat!

𝐵𝑢𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑇𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑦, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐼𝑛𝑛𝑜𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

The Department of Science and Technology – SOCCSKSARGEN, under the leadership of Regional Director 𝐃𝐫. 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐲 𝐏. 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧, 𝐑𝐀𝐁𝐄, 𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐄, through the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)–Sultan Kudarat led by Provincial Director 𝐌𝐬. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐨, 𝐌𝐒𝐜, successfully conducted a three-day consultation meeting for the formulation of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) Roadmap across three municipalities in Sultan Kudarat namely the Municipality of 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐲 𝐀𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐨, , the Municipality of 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠, and 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲.

The activity was supported by EVFI Consultants 𝐌𝐫. 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐧̃𝐨𝐫 and 𝐌𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐎𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐧, who served as technical facilitators during the roadmapping process. It brought together key stakeholders, members of the Technical Working Group, and local government officials to collaboratively develop a forward-looking roadmap aimed at transforming communities into smarter, more resilient, and sustainable localities. The PSTO-SK team, including Engr. Szalinah S. Mercado, Supervising SRS and Regional focal person for SSCP, facilitated discussions and ensured active stakeholder engagement throughout the activity.

The consultation commenced in the Municipality of Senator Ninoy Aquino, led by Municipal Mayor, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐑𝐚𝐟𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐋. 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐈𝐈. During the session, Mayor Flauta highlighted the municipality’s priority on establishing e-Governance systems to improve public service delivery. He acknowledged that limited internet connectivity remains a key challenge but expressed optimism that this will be addressed soon. He also emphasized strengthening the municipality’s coffee industry, recognizing its role as the coffee capital of Sultan Kudarat.

This was followed by sessions in the Municipality of Kalamansig, under the leadership of Mayor, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐮𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐂. 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚. Mayor Garcia presented a comprehensive and well-prepared development direction, focusing on enhancing the municipality’s coffee industry. Among his proposed initiatives are the establishment of a coffee processing center equipped with an optical scanner to support local coffee processors, as well as a coffee nursery capable of producing up to one ton per hectare annually.

The final leg of the consultation was held in Tacurong City, the identified pilot community for the SSCP, headed by the City Mayor, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐎. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚, 𝐏𝐡𝐃.Mayor Montilla shared the city’s readiness to implement SSCP initiatives, highlighting efforts to strengthen internet connectivity in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). She also noted that the bioreactor project provided to the city is currently underway for operationalization.

The activity underscores the strong collaboration between DOST and local government units in advancing sustainable development through science, technology, and innovation. The finalization and implementation of the SSCP Roadmap are expected to materialize before the end of the year.