The Department of the Interior and Local Government will assume the chairmanship of the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) in 2026.
The chairmanship was formally transferred by Malaysia’s Deputy Secretary-General Mohd Hazli Bin Ahmad Adnan to DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan.
This signaled the country’s reinforced dedication to leading regional smart, resilient, and people-centered urbanization, Iringan said.
He highlighted that being a smart community is not merely about installing high-tech infrastructure; it is fundamentally about ensuring accountable and efficient local governance that directly improves the lives of citizens.
He said the DILG’s leadership will focus on integrating technological advancement with the core Bagong Pilipinas mandate: verifiable impact, driving LGU accountability, and global best practices.
“These projects demonstrate that smart cities are not an abstract idea,” Iringan said.
“They are real solutions that improve daily life–faster services, safer streets, more efficient mobility, and stronger resilience.”
The DILG also highlighted the Developing Resilient, Innovative, Vibrant, and Efficient Smart Local Governments Nationwide (DRIVEN) Program, implemented with the World Bank, which lays the groundwork for a Philippine Smart Local Governments (PSLG) platform.
This initiative will unite LGUs and partners nationwide to integrate digital governance, sustainable infrastructure, and citizen-driven innovation.
