The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Central Luzon launched the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTIW) under the theme “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan” on Thursday in Botolan, Zambales.
The three-day activity, led by regional director Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat, is expected to gather stakeholders, industry players, government and private offices, students and MSMEs in the region and contribute to the agency’s goal of elevating awareness of STI-based discourse, building a sense of shared community and involving participants from across the region to promote enhancing and heralding STI, particularly in remote areas of the country.
It said that through the yearly celebration of the RSTW, the agency endeavors to communicate scientific ideas, share knowledge, foster innovative collaborations, celebrate scientific breakthroughs and create meaningful connections with a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., in a video message, highlighted the contribution of STI in showcasing the outstanding developments in Central Luzon that improved the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
“Our combined efforts have enabled the entire STI ecosystem to create ways and unlock opportunities in research and development, technology transfer, and commercialization,” Solidum said.
“Thousands of MSMEs all over the country have benefited from technological innovations that turned their kitchen-level operations into multi-million peso export businesses, generating revenues that help create local jobs and employment,” he said.
DOST Undersecretary for regional operations Engr. Sancho Mabborang said state universities and colleges and research and development institutions have benefited from institutional grants to conduct R&D that is relevant and focused on addressing the needs of communities within their service areas.
“With our mantra of OneDOSTU, we are working tirelessly to develop innovations that will make life easier for our people. In the business communities, in the academic community, and in the lives of our Kababayans, especially those from the indigenous communities, we are always trying to infuse science-based solutions to bring about meaningful and sustainable development,” Mabborang said.
One of the priorities of the celebration is the display of innovations and exhibits in education, food security and nutrition, health care, ICT, environment and climate change, business modeling, and cross-cutting sectors.
The celebration aims to inform the local folks about science initiatives that can be used to improve lives, particularly in the countryside.