From Alerts to Action
GENERAL SANTOS CITY - General Santos City is giving its emergency response system a digital upgrade through SMART-ER SOCCSKSARGEN, a project developed with DOST XII and the UP LUNGSOD team. On September 7 and 8, members of the city’s Technical Working Group underwent user-module training and user acceptance testing at the City Government Compound. The sessions introduced participants to the platform’s workflows and functions while allowing them to test how the system fits actual city operations. It is a practical step that moves the project beyond planning, giving GenSan personnel an opportunity to work directly with the technology before wider deployment begins across the city.
Testing the Tools Before They Reach More Users
The September activity was not simply a demonstration, because the General Santos team was asked to examine the platform through hands-on use and provide feedback. During the User Acceptance Testing, participants checked the system’s usability and operational suitability while the UP LUNGSOD team gathered inputs for further refinement and customization. SMART-ER is designed to support emergency reports and incident management with more organized information, helping government personnel work with data during situations that require coordination. For GenSan, this testing phase creates room to adjust the system around actual local procedures instead of relying solely on a standard digital setup.
Building a More Connected Response Network
SMART-ER SOCCSKSARGEN is part of a broader DOST-supported effort involving General Santos City and the four provinces of SOCCSKSARGEN. The project uses the LUNGSOD smart-city approach to strengthen emergency reporting, response systems, staff capacity, community participation, and data-based decision-making. DOST XII says the initiative is intended to help local governments become more responsive through science-based planning and digital solutions. With GenSan personnel already completing training and system validation, the city has reached another concrete stage in preparing the technology for future use, while the project continues to undergo refinement before broader implementation.
