BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The City Government of Baguio’s smart city initiatives got a boost with the Department of Science and Technology -Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) turning over the completed Project MINERVA (Monitoring of Indicators for Efficient Redevelopment and Value Assessment).

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. together with PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit and Project Leader Chris Monterola of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) led the symbolic turnover of Project Minerva to the city government of Baguio, headed by Mayor Benjamin Magalong at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center on Monday (April 15).

Project MINERVA is among the PCIEERD programs for smart cities that aims to integrate or incorporate various technologies to help the country’s local government units become digitally enabled and digitally inclusive.

Project Minerva  in Baguio intends to complement the city’s urban and ecological renewal through artificial intelligence, data science, complex systems and agent-based modeling, especially in the areas of air quality, water supply and quality, urban mobility, and tourism demand, Paringit said.

The two-year project undertaken through Grants-in-Aid from DOST, AIM, the University of the Philippines-Baguio, and other partner stakeholders, will help address Baguio’s urbanization concerns through science, technology and innovations.

Through the deployment of a total of 588 high-quality  sensors composed of 500 GPS trackers, 80 air quality, and eight water quality sensors for data collection and monitoring across the city, Project MINERVA is integrated into the existing command center of Baguio City, which acts as the nerve center for smart city operations in terms of air quality, water supply and quality, urban mobility and tourism demand.

Solidum expressed gratitude to the City Government of Baguio, the PCIEERD, the AIM, and all partners for Project MINERVA, outlining its relevance to the SMART City PH Program of the agency.

“From unleashing synergy through strategic partnerships among stakeholders, I am very pleased to take part in  this collaborative effort to transforming our communities into a smart, and sustainable one,” Solidum said

“MINERVA exemplifies what can be achieved when we come together with a shared vision and purpose - to create smart and sustainable communities and cities that are not only technologically advanced, but also inclusive, resilient, and environmentally-sustainable,” he added.

The secretary also assured that, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the DOST will continue to push for smart cities and communities towards the attainment of progressive, inclusive, and resilient local government units all over the Philippines.

“DOST is dedicated to promoting governance innovations that empower our regional partners to leverage science, technology and innovation for safe, secured, and sustainable communities and cities that could be enjoyed by the present and future generations,” Solidum said. (CCD/PIA CAR)