March 28, 2024

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Three public schools in Bontoc will soon receive the digital science library, Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (Starbooks) of the Department of Science and Technology.
A memorandum of agreement was forged between the DOST represented by DOST-Mountain Province Head Alfonso Berto and the municipal government represented by Mayor Franklin Odsey and Labor and Employment Officer II/ Science and Technology Coordinator Jenelyn Caluza. Municipal Accountant Yolanda Comafay witnessed the MOA signing.
The Starbooks recipients are Dalican National High School (NHS), Guina-ang NHS, and Guina-ang NHS-Mainit Extension, which are located in End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)-identified barangays.
The DOST has allocated P150,000 under the ELCAC funds for the procurement of Starbooks.
The Starbooks is a stand-alone information kiosk; hence information access is possible even without Internet connection, making them perfect for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
The information kiosk contains educational videos, library materials, DOST publications including the Philippine Science Journal, DOST technologies, interactive Science and Math course ware, and other education-related materials.
Odsey expressed gratitude to the DOST for responding to the request of the LGU for the provision of Startbooks kiosks to the ELCAC-identified barangays as part of the government’s initiative in bringing its program to the grassroots. – Alpine L. Killa