by Saul Pa-a – PNA News
LOS BAŇOS, Laguna — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will launch this week its “Science for the People” program in the Calabarzon region with the introduction of new facilities, roadshows, communication plan, institutional videos, and a book.
DOST Calabarzon Regional Director Alexander R. Madrigal said Sunday the DOST’s science and technology (S&T) team in Calabarzon is set for Monday’s opening ceremony of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) 2018.
Calabarzon stands for the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon.
Among the activities lined up is the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the setting up of a Tsunami Early Warning System for the region’s Pacific grid, covering Quezon’s eastern island towns of Jomalig and Panukulan and the coastal town of Calauag.
The celebration includes the inauguration of the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) and the Center for Hazard and Environmental Resource Mapping (CHERM) service laboratory in Quezon.
It will also highlight the launching of the Makapuno Island products, the awarding of the Best Small Enterprise Technology Upgrade Program (SETUP), and the community-based program (CBP) adoptors at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City.
Madrigal added that on Tuesday, the Regional Design and Creativity Hub for Innovation in MSMEs and Education (RDCHIME) service laboratory at the Rizal PSTC will also be launched in Antipolo, along with the turnover of the Infra Audit Protocol Manual.
Also slated in Antipolo is the MOA signing on the Micro Hydro Assessment of the Hinulugang Taktak Hazard and Environmental Resource Mapping.
Officials of DOST-Calabarzon are hoping for a lively RSTW this year, after their office received the Philippine Quality Award Level 1 for their “commitment to quality management” in a ceremony in Malacañang last October 24.
“Coming from an independent body, the award is a true affirmation of our organization’s commitment to quality, abiding by the very basic qualities of S&T: systematic, accurate, precise, knowledge-based,” Lydia S. Manguiat, DOST-Calabarzon’s assistant regional director for technical operations, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“Our people will always be our best asset. We have excellent projects because we have excellent people. I hope that we at the DOST can live up to the ideals that this award stands for. DOST-Calabarzon has made significant contributions in improving the lives of the people of Calabarzon by bringing the S&T closer to them,” Emelita P. Bagsit, the agency’s regional director for finance and administrative services, added.
“We have to uplift and maintain the quality and value of projects and services,” Francis R. Barquilla III, senior science research specialist and Management and Information System Unit head, said. He added the driving force of the DOST-Calabarzon is its culture of competitiveness, the mindset of innovation, and pursuit for excellence.
