The Municipality of Mexico in Pampanga is moving forward with plans to integrate smart governance and disaster resilience into its local development strategies, following a courtesy visit from the Department of Science and Technology – Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST PSTO-Pampanga) on July 16, 2025.
Led by Municipal Administrator Engr. Mark Nestor Pineda on behalf of Mayor Rodencio “Ruding” Santos Gonzales, Mexico’s local officials engaged in a strategic dialogue with DOST representatives, headed by Provincial Director Mary Michelle M. Quiambao. The discussion focused on the municipality’s inclusion as one of 80 pilot areas nationwide under the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) Program.
The SSC Program is designed to help local government units (LGUs) adopt data-driven, innovative approaches for inclusive and sustainable development. As a pilot LGU, Mexico also qualifies for the SSC Awards, a national recognition for science-based local governance.
In addition, both parties discussed the 3C-SHIELD Program (Community Centered Course – Strengthening Hazard Intervention for Enhancing Local Development), a DOST Region III Grants-in-Aid (GIA) project that aims to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience at the community level. The program includes the implementation of the Community Resilience Transformability Scorecard (CRTS) in two Mexico barangays, in coordination with the Provincial DRRMO and academic partners including PSU, PSAU, MCC, CCSFP, GCC, and CCA.
Municipal officers in attendance—including HRMO Christopher Torres, MDRRMO Victor Sundiang, and MENRO Engr. Arvin Siron—expressed their departments’ full support in operationalizing these initiatives.
Pineda, speaking for Mayor Gonzales, thanked DOST PSTO-Pampanga for the partnership and emphasized the local government’s commitment to transforming Mexico into a model of smart, resilient, and future-ready governance.