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DOST -8 urges LGUs: Harness Local technologies for food security, energy, disaster resilience.

TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology in Eastern Visayas (DOST-8) has called on local government units (LGUs) to integrate science, technology, and innovation into local governance to address pressing challenges in food security, sustainable energy, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience.
In time for the celebration of the Regional Science and Technology Week 2026 on July 15 to 17, DOST-8 Regional Director John Glenn Ocaña emphasized that locally developed technologies can help communities make informed decisions, improve public services, and build resilience against climate change and natural disasters.
“Science and technology should be at the center of local development planning. By embracing innovation, our local governments can strengthen food security, improve disaster preparedness, ensure sustainable energy, and deliver better services to their constituents,” Ocaña said.
The new technologies and innovations being made available by the agency are in line with this year’s RSTW theme, “Science, Technology and Digital Innovation Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy and National Resilience.”
The agency encouraged LGUs to maximize the use of GeoRiskPH, a web-based platform that provides hazard, exposure, and risk information to support land-use planning, infrastructure development, and disaster risk reduction.
DOST-8 also highlighted Project NOAH, which offers detailed flood, rainfall, and hazard information that local governments can use to strengthen early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and disaster response.
To improve public access to weather and hazard information, the agency promoted the Panahon App, which provides real-time weather forecasts, rainfall updates, tropical cyclone advisories, and location-based hazard alerts, allowing communities to make timely decisions before and during severe weather events.
Likewise, the agency encouraged LGUs to use HunterPH, a digital platform for collecting and visualizing geospatial and environmental data, supporting evidence-based planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster assessment at the local level.
For the agriculture sector, DOST-8 urged local governments to adopt the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) program. The platform provides climate information, crop advisories, drought monitoring, and decision-support tools that help farmers improve productivity while adapting to changing weather conditions.
The agency also promoted the Rainfall and Stormwater Runoff Management Technology for Tropical Catchment (RainS-TECH) project, a technology that provides localized rainfall monitoring and weather information to support agriculture, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction.
Palo, Leyte, is the first municipality in the Philippines to pilot the RainS-Tech project. The program uses natural processes and green infrastructure to handle sudden downpours, a vital step for Palo given the town’s history of flooding.
“We will be introducing RainS-TECH to other municipalities, especially those vulnerable to flooding. Real-time rainfall data enables farmers and emergency responders to better prepare for extreme weather events,” Ocaña added.
Beyond disaster management and agriculture, DOST-8 underscored the importance of investing in sustainable energy technologies, including solar-powered systems, energy-efficient facilities, and community-based renewable energy projects to reduce energy costs and promote environmental sustainability.
The agency also encouraged stronger collaboration among LGUs, state universities and colleges, research institutions, and the private sector to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies that address local development needs.
DOST-8 reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical assistance, capacity-building programs, and technology transfer initiatives to help local governments harness science and innovation in building smarter, safer, and more resilient communities across Eastern Visayas. (ACR/PIA Eastern Visayas)

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

MUNTINLUPA CITY – The Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region) proudly participated in the 15th Anniversary Celebration of STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS) held on June 24–25, 2026, at Acacia Hotel Manila, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, reaffirming its commitment to bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to communities across the Ilocos Region.
Organized by the DOST–Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), this year's celebration carried the theme "Brilliance, Stories, and Timelessness," honoring the remarkable journey of STARBOOKS in making quality science and technology information more accessible to every Filipino, especially those in geographically isolated and underserved areas.
The two-day event gathered DOST regional deployment officers, institutional partners, and stakeholders from across the country to celebrate the milestones of STARBOOKS and recognize the individuals and organizations whose contributions have strengthened the program's nationwide impact over the past 15 years.
DOST Ilocos Region was honored as one of the country's outstanding STARBOOKS partners in recognition of its unwavering commitment to expanding access to science and technology information. To date, the region has successfully installed more than 900 STARBOOKS units across schools, libraries, local government units, and various partner institutions throughout the Ilocos Region, significantly enhancing access to digital science resources and promoting science literacy among learners and communities.
Further highlighting the region's excellence, DOST Ilocos Region received the 3rd Place Award in the STARBOOKS Deployment Officers Video Contest, recognizing its outstanding storytelling and creativity in showcasing the transformative impact of STARBOOKS in communities across the region.
The award also extends DOST Ilocos Region's remarkable record of excellence, having consistently placed among the national winners of the STARBOOKS Deployment Officers Video Contest every year since 2022. This sustained achievement reflects the dedication, innovation, and collaborative efforts of the regional deployment team in promoting the value of STARBOOKS and inspiring greater appreciation for science and technology.
The celebration was led by DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon O. Sahagun together with former DOST Assistant Secretary and National Privacy Commission Commissioner Raymund E. Liboro, whose vision led to the establishment of STARBOOKS in 2011. The event also recognized the invaluable contributions of deployment officers, institutional partners, and outstanding performers who have helped expand the reach of science and technology information throughout the country.
On the second day of the celebration, participants attended a series of learning sessions designed to strengthen partnerships and enhance STARBOOKS implementation. Mr. Edric Calma of the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) presented the organization's various educational programs and initiatives, highlighting opportunities for collaboration with DOST in advancing innovative learning solutions and helping shape the future of Filipino learners.
Participants were also introduced to the latest innovations in robotics through a presentation by Erovoutika Robotics and Automation Solutions, which showcased its newest robots and automation technologies, demonstrating how robotics can enrich science education and inspire innovation among students and educators.
The event concluded with updates on the STARBOOKS program and technical sessions, providing deployment officers with the latest developments, implementation strategies, and technical enhancements to further improve the delivery and sustainability of STARBOOKS services in their respective regions.
As DOST Ilocos Region celebrates these national recognitions, the office remains steadfast in its mission of making science, technology, and innovation accessible to every Ilocano. Through STARBOOKS and other knowledge-sharing initiatives, DOST Ilocos Region continues to empower learners, educators, researchers, and communities by providing equitable access to information and fostering a culture of innovation and lifelong learning.