Just as the world is becoming increasingly urban – an estimated 75 percent of global population will live in cities by 2050 – so too is the Philippines. Out of an estimated 109 million people as of 2020, 45 million (or 41 percent) of them live in just 149 cities across the Philippines. The rest live in approximately 1,500 municipalities and rural areas.

Globally, there has been an alarming rise and reported outbreaks of flu, polio, measles, and dengue. According to WHO, vaccination currently averts 2 to 3 million deaths annually and could save 1.5 million more if global coverage of vaccinations improved. However, despite vaccination efforts, citizen reluctance, supply-side chain issues, and lack of communication are ongoing challenges faced by the healthcare sector.

Over the last two years, the world has experienced an accelerated shift towards digital innovation. The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the future of work where schools, universities, businesses, and even governments have shifted their enterprises to online and digital platforms. Emerging trends such as the gig economy, online learning, hub-and-spoke office models, and even e-commerce are now changing the game. As technology continues to develop, what must LGUs do to prepare for this digital wave? What kind of digital blueprint must be ready to build a 'smart,' digital city?