By Saul Pa-a – PNA News
ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Tuesday inked a partnership with the local government and the University of Rizal Systems (URS) Antipolo Campus to boost Rizal province’s eco-tourism and the production of technology-driven products and materials of micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Dr. Alexander R. Madrigal, regional director of DOST 4-A (Calabarzon), and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 4-A and the city government on the use of a micro-hydropower system as an alternative energy source for the developing eco-tourism in the city’s famous waterfalls, the Hinulugang Taktak.
Madrigal also signed another MOU with Dr. Marita R. Canapi, president of the URS-Antipolo, along with officials of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, regional officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), on the sustainability and operationalization of the newly inaugurated Regional Design and Creativity Hub for Innovation in MSMEs and Education (RDCHIME).
The hub is housed in the newly-inaugurated Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) – Rizal Building right at URS-Antipolo in San Roque village here, as one of the major highlights of the DOST Calabarzon Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) 2018 project showcase and roadshows from November 12 to 14.
Dela Peña said in his speech that students and MSMES can use the RDCHIME facilities to make innovative products for tourists coming to the city as added features besides the religious pilgrimage the city is known for.
He also mentioned the artistic talents of the people in the province that can be enhanced using the 3D technology of DOST’s PSTC-RDCHIME.
Dela Peña led the ceremonial turnover to the city government of the Sensing Environmental Parameters through Telemetry (SENTRY), a device created by DOST-Calabarzon in collaboration with the Batangas State University, which will be installed to monitor the quality of water of the Hinulugang Taktak