The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Friday the Philippines will chair the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) in 2026, giving the country a key role in shaping Southeast Asia’s approach to digital governance and urban resilience.
The chairmanship was formally turned over on Sept. 9 by Malaysia’s Deputy Secretary-General Mohd Hazli Bin Ahmad Adnan to Interior Undersecretary Marlo Iringan during the ASCN’s 8th annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
In his remarks, Iringan said smart communities are not just about building high-tech systems but about practical improvements in daily life.
‘They are real solutions that improve daily life-faster services, safer streets, more efficient mobility, and stronger resilience,’ he said.
Iringan pointed to projects such as Manila’s e-government services, Cebu’s automated traffic system, and Davao’s transport and security upgrades as examples of how smart city initiatives directly benefit communities.
According to the DILG, the Philippines is also advancing its own framework through the Developing Resilient, Innovative, Vibrant and Efficient Smart Local Governments Nationwide (DRIVEN) Program, developed with the World Bank. The initiative aims to create a national smart governance platform linking local government units with technology and infrastructure partners.
Iringan added that the country’s chairmanship will emphasize accountability and resilience in local governance. He noted the recent inclusion of Cauayan City in the ASCN as an example of how smaller LGUs can meet smart city standards.
Established in 2018, the ASCN links 35 cities across the region to pursue sustainable and innovative solutions to urban challenges.
The DILG said the chairmanship will allow the Philippines to highlight the role of local governments in regional efforts on modernization and climate resilience.