Developing a smart city framework for Philippine LGUs: A policy-driven approach to digital transformation

Smart city development in the Philippines has gained momentum as local government units (LGUs) increasingly leverage digital technologies to enhance governance and service delivery. However, a tailored framework to guide this transformation at the LGU level remains lacking. This study proposes an integrative smart city framework for Philippine LGUs, grounded in policy-driven digital transformation and informed by global and regional models. The study is anchored in an empirical analysis of smart city readiness indicators and a detailed case study of a pilot LGU in Central Luzon. The study introduces the smart city concept and reviews existing frameworks, including the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) Framework, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Smarter City Framework, ISO 37106:2021 guidelines, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) smart cities pathway model. The researchers selected key smart city indicators—such as infrastructure, connectivity, governance, and innovation—using publicly available datasets, including the national census and the Cities and Municipalities Competitiveness Index. These indicators were used to assess the digital readiness of the case study LGU. The analysis reveals the pilot LGU’s strengths, including the presence of an established ICT plan and active e-governance initiatives, alongside critical gaps such as limited investment in research and development. These reflect common challenges faced by emerging smart cities in the Philippines. The study explores the policy, institutional, and technological enablers essential for LGUs’ digital transformation. Key enablers include national policy support, adoption of standards, local leadership, data infrastructure, and multi-stakeholder partnerships. The researchers present a proposed smart city framework for Philippine LGUs that balances quality of life, economic competitiveness, and environmental sustainability through integrated urban planning and adaptive governance. Policy recommendations are offered to both national agencies and LGUs to facilitate the operationalization of this framework, with the goal of aligning local smart city initiatives with broader development objectives and promoting sustainable, inclusive digital transformation.