DILG, BCDA Participate in Inaugural Innoex in Hong Kong

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. (left) with Founder and Honorary President of Smart City Corporation Dr. Winnie Tang (right). (Hong Kong PCG photo)

HONG KONG, 18 April 2023 – Secretary of Interior and Local Government Atty. Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos, Jr. and Senior Vice President of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Atty. Gisela Z. Kalalo participated in the “Business Roundtable on ASEAN Smart City Development” on 13 April, as part of the inaugural InnoEX which runs from 12 to 15 April 2023 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). 

The InnoEX is jointly organized by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). The theme of the first-ever InnoEX is “Connecting the World with Innovations for Better Living.” The exhibition provides a platform for governments, tech firms, start-ups and innovators to showcase a wide range of innovation and technology (I&T) solutions for smart cities, businesses and smart living. There were over 400 exhibitors from seven countries and regions who participated in the exhibition. 

InnoEX is one of the three major technology events organized by the Hong Kong Government for its Business of Innovation and Technology Week. As emphasized by Hong Kong Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong at the Opening Ceremony of InnoEx Forum yesterday, the city has been promoting smart city development since 2017 since the release of its first Smart City Blueprint. This was followed by Hong Kong’s 2020 Smart City Blueprint 2.0 in 2020, and by the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Blueprint in 2022. 

The “Business Roundtable on ASEAN Smart City Development” brought together government representatives from the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to share their respective countries’ development plans and aspirations in building smart cities. InnoEX exhibitors were also invited to share their experience and I&T solutions towards a human-centric smart city. 

Secretary Abalos opened the Roundtable discussion by identifying the strategies through which the government is “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities in the Philippines.” In line with the national vision under the “AmBisyon 2040” and the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, the government will lead the economic, social, institutional and environmental transformation of the country through digitalization, public-private partnerships, servicification, dynamic ecosystems, enhanced connectivity and greater collaboration between the local and the national government. In order to provide more efficient services to their clients and to build sustainable communities, Local Government Units (LGUs) are now investing in smart solutions and technology innovations. 

According to Secretary Abalos, among the strategies adopted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to contribute to the country’s national vision and plan are the digitalization of LGU registries or databases, paperless or online access to LGU services, streamlining of LGU systems and processes such as licensing, adoption of digital payment platforms, improvement of LGU ICT infrastructure and digital connectivity, use of technology for security and disaster preparedness such as early warning systems, and adoption of single 

ticketing system. In order to further motivate LGUs into improving their services, the national government has launched the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Award, the SGLH Incentive Fund and the Digital Governance Awards, under the SGLG Act of 2019. 

BCDA Vice President Kalalo, on the other hand, promoted the New Clark City (NCC) as a desirable investment destination. The NCC is the first smart, green and resilient metropolis in the Philippines. The NCC is also well-connected through the Clark International Airport, the North-South Commuter Rail, the Subic-Clark Cargo Rail, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, the NCC-SCTEX Access Road, the NCC-Airport Access Road, the Clark Loop BRT System, and dedicated bike lanes. Most importantly, the NCC has a highspeed internet access to enable its business locators to conduct their business online. The NCC likewise hosts the National Government Administrative Center to allow its business locators to easily transact with national agencies through their satellite offices. 

The NCC boasts of existing world-class sports facilities, such as the Athletics Stadium and the Aquatics Center, and will soon host state universities and schools to support its growing community. The future Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines and the National Seed Technology Park will soon be established within the NCC. Under the principle of sustainability, 60% of the NCC’s 9,450-hectare land area shall be preserved for green and eco-tourism ventures.

Investment opportunities in the NCC include 1) research and knowledge-based pharmaceutical and medical facilities, 2) data center colocation facility, 3) solid waste management and waste-to-energy project, and 4) a 25-megawatt solar farm. 

The Philippine Government welcomes collaboration with the private sector—both foreign and local—to develop smart cities that are sustainable, inclusive and take into consideration the needs and capacities of their stakeholders through continuing education. END

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. (at the head of the table to the left)), Founder and Honorary President of Smart City Corporation Dr. Winnie Tang (at the head of the table in the center), Overseas Marketing Manager Raymond Zheng of Shenzhen Pudu Technology Co. Ltd. ((at the head of the table to the right) and the rest of the Roundtable participants from governments and the business sector, including BCDA Senior Vice President Gisela Z. Kalalo (to the left of Secretary Abalos). (Hong Kong PCG photo)

Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Raly L. Tejada (left) with DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. (right). (Hong Kong PCG photo)

https://dfa.gov.ph/9535108f-c012-4a03-aafe-2ba1c88c215c" alt="page7image48431312" width="468" height="351" />From Left: BCDA Executive Director Atty. Carminda Z. Fabros (leftmost), DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr., Division Manager Francis Theodore B. Initorio of the Tourism Enterprise Zone (TEZ) Administration, and BCDA Senior Vice President Gisela Z. Kalalo (rightmost). (Hong Kong PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.hongkongpcg.dfa.gov.ph, or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinHK/.