TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) -- No less than the new Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Renato U. Solidum Jr., will lead the formal opening of the 2022 Eastern Visayas Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) celebration today, August 25, in Ormoc City.
This year’s RSTW celebration will highlight the partnership of the government through the Department of Science and Technology and the Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI), the local government unit of Ormoc City, and the business sector through the Ormoc City Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
In a press conference held Monday at the DOST-8 conference room, Engr. Ernesto M. Granada, DOST-8 regional director, said this year’s celebration will be conducted in conjunction with the DOST-TAPI’s Stakeholders’ Forum and Caravan, and the 31st Visayas Area Business Conference to be hosted by the Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“During the EVRST Week celebration on August 25-27, it will feature exhibits showcasing the milestones in science, technology, and innovation, the latest technologies developed by DOST as products of careful research and development activities through various technical fora, and recognition of DOST’s assisted MSME’s and communities for their successful S&T projects, Granada said.
Among the technologies that will be featured in said exhibit include Biogroe, Carragheenan Plant Growth Promoter, Mykoplus Biofertilizer, CNC Plasma Cutter, Pelletizing Machine for Goat Feeds, Prototype Mechanical Cacao Sheller, Queen Pineapple Bran, Protein Enriched Copra Meal as feeds, Coco log Extrusion Machine, Decorticating Machine for separating coco coir, peat and dust from coconut husk, coffee greenhouse solar dryer, carbonizer, sugarcane-bagasse textile processing, vacuum fryer, modular water retort, greenhouse solar dryer, and cacao roasting equipment.
Stephanie Uy-Chu of the Ormoc Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the 23-member chambers in the Visayas (Regions 6, 7 and 8) composed of business owners, business enterprises and MSME’s are very much interested in this activity to learn the technologies that DOST has to offer since it’s been a challenging time for business.
“Getting back on track may not represent BAU or business as usual. After all, two years is long enough to change consumer behaviors and preferences. But then, two years is also long enough to develop new technologies and to adapt to innovation and better ways of doing things,” Chu said.
As DOST-8 seeks to make science, technology and innovation closer to the people, it is expected that some 150 participants from major sectors such as the local government units, the academe, government agencies, and the private sector will attend the in-person discussion of different issues and concerns on science and technology, technology commercialization and be able to come up with solutions to address concerns.
This year’s Regional Science and Technology Fair and Exhibit is anchored on the theme, “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan.” (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)
