BORONGAN CITY — This city took a significant leap forward in its smart city journey with the launch of the Libre Sakay Application and the inauguration of the Smart Technologies Research, Development, and Innovation Center at the Eastern Samar State University-Main Campus on March 4.
The Libre Sakay app, a priority project under Smart City Borongan, was officially launched alongside the opening of the Smart Technologies Innovation Center. The app aims to enhance the city’s Libre Sakay program, providing free transport service recipients with easy access to the transport system through QR-generated IDs and bus tracking features.
Today, a demonstration of the app was conducted with Libre Sakay buses transporting the first batch of student enrollees from the city center to ESSU, stopping at designated Libre Sakay bus stops along the way.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) spearheads Smart City Borongan, a collaborative effort involving the national government, the academe represented by ESSU, and the Local Government Unit of Borongan.
The inauguration of the Smart Technologies Innovation Center marks a new phase in the program, aiming to develop advanced technologies for LGU Borongan’s administrative efficiency and service deployment.
Borongan City Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda emphasized the importance of collaboration with ESSU and DOST in the city’s digitalization efforts, highlighting the university’s role as the city’s think-tank.
To support the research center, DOST turned over Php 1,000,000 as a mobilization fund to ESSU for the purchase of necessary equipment. The university’s Computer Engineering and Information Technology students will lead the research and conceptualization of Smart City programs, supervised by proficient professors.
DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang expressed optimism for the research center, envisioning it as a hub for groundbreaking research and the cultivation of future innovators.
The event was attended by OIC-Regional Director for Region VIII Marilyn Radam, ESSU President Andres Pagatpatan, Vice Mayor Emman Tiu Sonco, department heads, and ESSU students.
Smart City Borongan, a long-term program, aims to revolutionize the delivery of LGU’s basic services. In addition to the Libre Sakay app, a Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) will also be launched for efficient employee profile recording.
Borongan City, along with Ormoc City, is the only LGU in Region 8 selected by DOST for its Smart City program, making Borongan the pioneering implementor of the Smart City initiative in Eastern Visayas. (With report and photo from the Borongan City Information Office)
