BANGUED, Abra – Products made out of bamboo and green technologies were at the forefront of the 2023 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTIW) in this town from Sept. 27 to 29.
Department of Science and Technology officials led by Undersecretary Engr. Sancho Mabborang, local government unit representatives, partners, and other stakeholders kicked off the celebration with the ribbon cutting of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibits and Techno Bazaar.
Among the exhibits are DOST-assisted food products, bamboo innovations, local textile, homegrown inventions, and interactive technologies.
During the opening ceremony, Mabborang said the RSTIW celebration is a platform to discuss and showcase locally developed science and technology developments.
“It is a celebration that recognizes the role of science, technology, and innovation in the pursuit of inclusive sustainable economic development in the region,” he said.
Mabborang encouraged extensive participation to reach as many stakeholders as possible to bring science and technology closer to the people.
DOST Regional Director Nancy Bantog added the RSTIW in CAR carries the sub-theme “Leveraging green innovative technologies for climate change adaptive agriculture in CAR,” which focuses on green technologies for development.
“Our sub-theme puts a premium on environment-friendly technologies and innovation to promote resilient and sustainable economic development, not just meeting the needs for today but also those of the next generation,” she said.
Aside from promoting local innovations and green technology, the RSTIW also aims to bring science and technology to the countryside.
Bantog said since 2017, the week-long celebration is being brought out from the usual venues in Baguio and Benguet to reach out to more stakeholders in the grassroots.
She said this year’s RSTIW in Abra is a dream come true despite the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2022, and the typhoons that affected the province recently.
DOST officials expressed gratitude to the leaders in the province, the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, national line agency partners, and other stakeholders who contributed to the conduct of the different activities of the 2023 RSTW.
The activities included the exhibits, bazaar, fora, fashion show, robotics innovation session, and summits.
Bantog hopes that the different promotional and informational campaign activities will translate to technology adoption and utilization, engagement of clients, investment in smart technologies, and greater innovation and research partnerships with stakeholders.
The 2024 RSTW will be held in Ifugao. – Jam Malingan
