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THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) underscored its commitment to inclusive innovation and sustainable development during the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) held in MIMAROPA. With the theme “Building Smart and Sustainable Communities,” this year’s celebration went beyond showcasing technologies—it became a rallying point for transforming communities through science-based solutions.
Leading the event was DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., who emphasized the agency’s vision through the banner commitment OneDOST4U—Solutions, Opportunities for All. “It is more than a program. It is a promise. A promise that every Filipino—regardless of location or livelihood—deserves access to the tools of science, to the opportunities of innovation, and to the hope that development brings,” Secretary Solidum said in his keynote address.
DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang echoed this message, highlighting the agency’s role in empowering communities. “Walang maiiwan sa agos ng agham at inobasyon—kasama ninyo ang DOST. We will be here to nurture and guide your every step of the way,” he assured participants.
A central highlight of the celebration was the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP), DOST’s flagship initiative that places people and local contexts at the heart of innovation. Through its four-pronged strategy—tailored S&T solutions, capacity building, smart tech promotion, and policy support—the SSCP is helping LGUs and communities across MIMAROPA build resilience, improve services, and drive inclusive growth.
From coastal barangays in Palawan to upland areas in Mindoro, SSCP proves that no community is too remote for progress when solutions are grounded in science and local realities.
The weeklong event featured a dynamic mix of technology exhibits, forums, innovation pitches, and recognition ceremonies that spotlighted community-ready technologies, successful MSMEs, and grassroots innovations designed to address regional challenges—from agriculture and education to disaster risk reduction and nutrition.
At the Occidental Mindoro State College, site of the celebration, participants saw firsthand the rollout of region-specific solutions, including agri-aqua innovations and smart systems aligned with the province’s development priorities. These initiatives reflect DOST’s broader drive to ensure that science is not confined to laboratories and research centers but is embedded in the lives of Filipinos—in farms, schools, clinics, barangays, and small businesses.
More than just an exhibition, the 2025 RSTW in MIMAROPA served as a convergence point for partnerships—linking communities with resources, innovators with markets, and institutions with shared goals.
As DOST continues to bring its programs closer to the people, the agency reaffirms its mission to build a future where every Filipino can thrive through science, technology, and innovation. (NELSON SANTOS)
