DOST - Regional Operations

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐓𝐈 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

The Department of Science and Technology (Department of Science and Technology) strengthened its role as the country’s lead enabler of science, technology, and innovation (STI)-driven local development as it hosted the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Catbalogan City for a high-level benchmarking and innovation exchange at the DOST Main Building in Bicutan, Taguig City.

The engagement underscored DOST’s strategic direction of moving beyond technology provision toward deeper co-development with LGUs, where science-based tools, digital systems, and research outputs are actively translated into local governance solutions. Anchored on the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), the activity highlighted how DOST continues to build long-term innovation partnerships that strengthen resilience, efficiency, and inclusivity in local governments.

Catbalogan City, led by City Administrator Atty. Dennis Cosmod, was formally received by Assistant Secretary Engr. Maria Teresa B. De Guzman, Assistant Secretary for Countryside Development of DOST. In her welcome message, she emphasized that DOST’s role extends beyond assistance, positioning the Department as a strategic partner in enabling LGUs to design, adopt, and scale science-based systems that directly improve public service delivery and community outcomes.

The engagement placed strong emphasis on Catbalogan City’s sustained progress under the SSCP, with DOST recognizing the LGU as a model for local digital transformation in Eastern Visayas. The city’s innovation journey reflects a growing alignment with DOST’s vision of building smart communities powered by data, technology, and institutional collaboration.

A key focus of the discussion was Project TANAW, developed by the LGU in partnership with Samar State University. DOST highlighted the initiative as a strong example of how locally developed innovations can be elevated through science and engineering support. By integrating GIS, 3D modeling, and augmented reality, the system transforms complex spatial and hazard data into actionable visual tools that improve urban planning, infrastructure management, and disaster risk reduction at the community level.

The engagement also reaffirmed the importance of sustained exposure to DOST’s research and development ecosystem. The LGU explored potential collaborations across priority sectors, including climate-smart agriculture through DOST-SARAI, nutrition and public health interventions through the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, and education and human capital development through the Science Education Institute. These discussions highlighted DOST’s role in ensuring that innovation is not siloed but integrated across development sectors.

DOST further facilitated access to its research institutes, including the Philippine Textile Research Institute, reinforcing the Department’s mandate to accelerate technology transfer and ensure that publicly funded innovations are deployed where they matter most—within communities and local government systems.

Assistant Secretary De Guzman also highlighted Catbalogan City’s growing potential as a benchmark LGU under the SSCP, noting its strong portfolio of homegrown digital systems and its consistent participation in national innovation platforms such as iSCENE and the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Communities Awards. She emphasized DOST’s intention to scale successful LGU innovations by linking them with other local governments nationwide, enabling peer learning and replication.

The visit concluded with continued technical benchmarking activities at DOST research institutes, signaling a sustained partnership model where DOST and LGUs jointly shape, test, and scale science-based solutions for local governance and community development.

The engagement reflects DOST’s evolving approach: positioning science and technology not only as support tools, but as foundational drivers of how communities are planned, governed, and transformed.

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Department of Science and Technology underscored its continued commitment to strengthening science education and digital inclusion through a Nationwide STARBOOKS Program Review held today, April 28, 2026. The activity brought together officials, representatives, and focal persons from the DOST Regional Offices and the Science and Technology Information Institute to assess implementation performance and strengthen coordination in the delivery of the program across the country.

The review served as a strategic mechanism to evaluate the overall implementation of the STARBOOKS Program, with emphasis on operational performance across regions, field-level implementation gaps, and opportunities to further align the program with the Department’s priorities on inclusive innovation, strengthened STEM education, and expanded technology transfer at the grassroots level.

STARBOOKS, developed by Science and Technology Information Institute, is the country’s first standalone digital science library designed to function without internet connectivity. It provides free offline access to a wide range of curated science, technology, engineering, mathematics, innovation, and livelihood resources, enabling learners and communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas to benefit from quality educational content and scientific information.

A key focus of the discussion was the pivotal role of the DOST Regional Offices, which were recognized as the primary implementers and operational backbone of the STARBOOKS Program nationwide. The review underscored how the sustained expansion and success of the program are driven by the Regions’ consistent efforts in identifying and validating beneficiary institutions, deploying and installing STARBOOKS units, and conducting training for focal persons and end-users. These are further supported by continuous technical assistance, post-deployment monitoring, and close coordination with local government units, schools, libraries, and partner institutions to ensure effective implementation and long-term sustainability at the local level.

The program review also provided a venue for harmonizing implementation approaches and strengthening systems across all regions. Discussions focused on improving deployment and monitoring processes, expanding coverage to additional beneficiary institutions, enhancing content updates and system improvements, strengthening capacity-building initiatives, and improving data management and impact assessment mechanisms to better capture program outcomes and effectiveness.

Regional representatives shared implementation experiences and field insights that highlighted the program’s impact on classroom instruction, literacy and reading initiatives, science education activities, community learning programs, and local innovation efforts. These accounts underscored STARBOOKS as a practical and accessible learning platform that helps bridge educational gaps in underserved communities.

As part of its mandate to advance inclusive development through science, technology, and innovation, the DOST remains committed to ensuring that STARBOOKS continues to bridge the digital divide, empower learners, and foster a stronger culture of scientific literacy across the country.

𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬’ 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) convened its 2026 First Quarter Regional Directors’ Meeting on 31 March 2026 via Zoom, bringing together all Regional Directors nationwide to strengthen coordination, align priorities, and accelerate the delivery of science, technology, and innovation (STI) programs across regions.

Chaired by Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang, the meeting served as a strategic platform to ensure that DOST’s flagship programs and emerging initiatives directly contribute to inclusive growth, community resilience, and national competitiveness.

A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a Filipino developed rice mill innovation by inventors Jefferson Chong and Engr. Ronald Pagsanghan. The technology showcased the potential of locally designed solutions to enhance agricultural productivity, improve milling efficiency, and reduce post harvest losses, contributing to stronger food security and rural economic development.

All Regional Directors were tasked to carefully assess the applicability and effectiveness of the innovation within their respective regions, ensuring that its potential adoption is responsive to local needs, conditions, and agricultural priorities.

The strengthening of partnerships with the Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology (PFST) was also emphasized as a key strategy to expand STI awareness and deepen STEM education among the youth. This collaboration directly supports DOST’s long term goal of building a robust pipeline of future scientists, engineers, and innovators who will sustain the country’s development.

In line with its mandate on disaster risk reduction, DOST highlighted the Handa Pilipinas Program, presented by Ms. Rachelle Anne L. Miranda. The initiative integrates innovations into climate and disaster resilience efforts, enabling communities to better anticipate, prepare for, and respond to natural hazards. This program strengthens DOST’s contribution to safeguarding lives, infrastructure, and economic activities in vulnerable areas.

The meeting also featured updates from the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), which plays a vital role in advancing research and fostering collaboration among scientists and researchers. These efforts contribute to evidence based policymaking and the development of innovative solutions to national challenges.

Another key initiative discussed was the Device as a Service DaaS program, presented as part of DOST’s digital transformation agenda. By improving access to technological tools and infrastructure, DaaS enhances the operational efficiency of regional offices and enables faster, data driven decision making, strengthening overall service delivery.

Critical program integration efforts were likewise tackled, including the alignment of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program with SETUP and START UP initiatives. This integration ensures that technology transfer, enterprise development, and innovation support are delivered in a more cohesive and impactful manner, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises.

Updates on BAYANai implementation, PSTD performance criteria, and preparations for the 2026 National Science and Technology Week further reinforced DOST’s commitment to standardizing excellence, promoting innovation culture, and showcasing Filipino scientific achievements on a national scale.

The meeting also explored forward looking initiatives, including the alignment of priority courses under the DOST SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Program to match evolving industry demands. In addition, a proposed collaboration with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) for the UN World Tsunami Awareness Day highlights DOST’s proactive role in promoting public awareness and preparedness for natural hazards.

Through this quarterly convergence, DOST reaffirmed its commitment to translating programs and policies into tangible outcomes, empowering communities, supporting industries, and strengthening the country’s resilience. The discussions and initiatives presented during the meeting collectively demonstrate how DOST continues to drive innovation led development and deliver meaningful impact to the Filipino people.