The Department of Science and Technology – Region 2 (DOST-R2), Smart City Focal Person, representative Ms. Raquel B. Santos visited the Business Intelligence Research Development Center (BIRDC) at Isabela State University-Cauayan Campus to monitor the status of one of its projects iCITY: DIGITAL BUSINESS LOCATOR. The BIRDC Director, Prof. Dr. Betchie E. Aguinaldo together with the team presented its functionality and its services. This is the market’s first all-in-one business locator solution in the Region.

The iCITY aims to generate a data-driven business locator for Local Government Unit (LGU) and prospective investors to determine and locate the appropriate business in a city or municipality.

iCITY is part of the recently approved Cagayan Valley Smart City/Municipality Belt presented by Regional Director Virginia G. Bilgera to the Regional Development Council (RDC) last May 25, 2022 which aims to promote synergy among academe, industry, government agencies and other agencies in transforming Cagayan Valley Region in a Smarter Cities and Municipalities.

Furthermore, iCITY is one of the realization of BIRD-C Advisory Board Committee, DOST Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang, LGU Cauyan City Mayor Bernard Faustino M. Dy and University President Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino of Isabela State University (ISU) to utilize Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) integrating data science analytics as well as establish an entrepreneurial platform for faculty, researchers, alumni of education institution in the Cagayan Valley Region and create an innovative way in strengthening MSMEs which will help inclusive and sustainable growth of economy for the community and respond to SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth.

The BIRD-C Team for iCITY project is composed of ISU faculty, data science expert and On-the-Job Trainee (OJT)from the College of Computing Studies Information and Community Technology (CCSICT). The iCity Team together with DOST R2 and LGU Cauayan City is now preparing for the product launching and presentation to target stakeholder for possible technology transfer in the coming days.