It was an honor to facilitate the Strategic Roadmap Development Workshop for Smart and Sustainable Ormoc City on October 28-29, 2024, at the LGU-Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines.
Under the inspiring leadership of Honorable Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez, and with the active participation of Congressman Richard Gomez, the workshop gathered a diverse group of experts and stakeholders, including Bhen Aguihon (UN Habitat-Philippines), Roderick B. Pacanot from Department of Science and Technology Region VIII, Engr. Raoul Cam (Head, CPDO), LGU heads, CSOs and representatives from academia. Smart Cities Network_ASEAN Vice Chairman Syed Mubarak shared regional best practices, significance of aligning with hashtag#ESG and SDGs to derisk projects and make them bankable, leveraging opportunities such as the Cities Investment Facility (hosted by UN-Habitat).
A Vision for Ormoc City:A Smart City leverages digital technologies to enhance urban efficiency, while a Sustainable City focuses on environmental stewardship, green spaces, and resource conservation. Combining these principles, Ormoc City is boldly advancing towards a resilient, efficient, and eco-friendly future.
Key Highlights of the Workshop:
1. Strategic planning to align city development with sustainability goals.
2. Exploring innovations in digital technology to improve urban services.
3. Fostering collaboration between government, private sectors, and communities.
4. Identifying priorities across key pillars, including: Sustainable Agriculture , Infrastructure Development, WasteManagement, Energy Transition, Digitalization, & Smart Mobility.
6. Defining actionable next steps
7. Field visit to Urban Waterscape Project
Strategic Outcomes:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between LGU-Ormoc and the Smart Cities Network was strategized to formalize the city’s transformation efforts. One of the key initiatives under this partnership is the establishment of the Smart Cities Youth Network (SCYN) to engage and empower youth leaders in driving change.
Why This Matters:
It demonstrates the power of partnerships and sharedvision in creating transformative change. By adopting inclusive strategies, Ormoc City is positioning itself as a model for smart and sustainabledevelopment, ensuring economic growth, adaptability to modern challenges, and an enhanced quality of life for its residents.
Kudos to the entire Ormoc City team for their dedication and commitment. This workshop marks the beginning of an exciting journey toward a smarter, greener, and more sustainablefuture.