Technological advances on exhibit at iScene

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CAUAYAN CITY — A wide range of activities, including talks on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in disaster management, smart cities and communities, and in mobility and smart transportation, has been the focus in the three-day 3rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iScene) at the Isabela Convention Center in this city.

The event started on Thursday, May 22 and will end on Saturday, May 24.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING TOOL An exhibitor explains the prototype of their research and development project dubbed as a Lorawan-based pond water quality control and monitoring system for shrimp farms in one of the exhibits at the start of the three-day 3rd International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iScene) at the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City on May 22, 2025. PHOTO BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA

The conference serves as a platform to discuss details and commitment for possible transfer of technologies and commercialization, aside from having exhibits on artificial intelligence, robotics, among other innovations such as startup and cutting-edge advancements in water management, textiles, smart agriculture, and circular economy.

Among those showcased in the exhibits are the electromobility research and development which aims to achieve greening of the transport industry, the Lorawan-based pond water quality control and monitoring system for shrimp farms, the heat-assisted temperature control and monitoring system for hatchery management of milkfish, agricultural-robot-Tomasino innovation system, S&T-based approach for sustainable management of reservoirs and river basins.

Also being exhibited are forest products research and development e-library, smart water control infrastructure for effective irrigation management, GIS-based decision support tool, and integrated flood and water resources management in Asean basins for sustainable development.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the local government unit of Cauayan City and Isabela State University (ISU), focused on the theme "Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities through Government-Academe-Industry Collaboration" for the event.

Mayor Ceasar Dy Jr. said the city, which has been designated as the first smart city in the Philippines, has implemented various digital solutions to improve network and services such as the installment of free Wi-Fi in its 65 barangay.

"We have been the first Smart City, and we focus on innovations to help other local government units to adopt smart technologies and eventually we got partners at the international level," he added.

Among the side events include Philippine Smart and Sustainable Cities Awards, the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle (Moccov) Operations Olympics, E-Sports tournament, and the Hackathon.

"The conference has been aiming to transform communities through active citizen-engagement, and to further promote the Smarter Philippines mission," said Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang during the event.

"For the past two years, the iScene has become an opportunity to bring together government agencies, academe, industry players, and international partners for collaboration and knowledge-sharing to achieve smart, resilient, and sustainable communities," he added.

The DOST Regional Office 2 also inked memoranda of partnerships with various government agencies, and academic institutions such as the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development (DHSUD) Region 2, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Isabela State University (ISU), King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Thailand and the Cauayan City local government unit.