Mandaue backs IBM's "smarter cities program"

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue City council approved Wednesday a floor resolution proposed by Councilor Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon, which supports International Business Machines (IBM) Philippines for its "Smarter Cities Program."

IBM is a New York-based multi-national technology and Consultancy firm.

"Smarter Cities Program" aims at maximizing a local government's use of its information technology in managing social services.

A team from IBM has been visiting cities throughout the country to promote the program as part of its bigger "Smarter Planet Project."

The program will establish a single intelligent management and operations center that will automate transportation, power, and water services to public and private sectors, transportation and power are actually interrelate with each other.

During its recent visit to Mandaue City, Mayor Jonas Cortes specifically sought the team's expertise to help find solutions to the city's traffic and flood problems.

IBM has offered its services to the city government.

Since the team is serious about extending its help to the city government, this prompted Ouano-Dizon to file the resolution.

"Whereas, it is important for city leaders to understand how to maximize the use of information technology, this will help improve city management and keep up with the fast urban developments, IBM believes that with the available technologies today, officials can make decisions based on hard facts that will guide and make their operations more efficient," Ouano-Dizon's resolution states.

IBM's recent visit came after Mayor Cortes organized a drainage summit last Saturday to assess the comprehensive drainage masterplan formulated ten years ago and to come up with short and long term solutions to the problem.

The project is in coordination with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc.     IBM will be here for a three-week visit and discussion-meetings with different city mayors to help address the pressing common concerns. - THE FREEMAN