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ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Department of Science and Technology IX (DOST IX) successfully hosted the HANDA Pilipinas Mindanao Leg and the 2025 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) on September 23–25, 2025 at the Palacio Del Sur, Marcian Garden Hotel, Zamboanga City. The three-day event was graced by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., with the participation of national and regional officials, partner institutions, and stakeholders from various sectors.
In his keynote address, Secretary Solidum highlighted the central role of science and collective action in building resilience in Mindanao, while Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, underscored that preparedness must be viewed as a lifeline and not a luxury. Both officials emphasized that science goes beyond discovery; it is about impact, action, and collective responsibility, ensuring that innovations benefit communities and strengthen resilience across the region.
A major feature of the celebration was the Converted Electric Tricycle (C-Trike) developed by Cagayan State University (CSU) through its Electromobility Research and Development Center (eMRDC), supported under DOST’s Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development (NICER) program. The project focuses on converting traditional gasoline-powered tricycles into electric vehicles by retaining the original body and frame of tricycles while replacing fuel-dependent components with a modern electric conversion kit. This innovation provides a cost-effective and practical option for tricycle owners to transition to clean and efficient mobility without the heavy financial burden of purchasing brand-new e-tricycles. By reducing carbon emissions, cutting fuel costs, and promoting cleaner air, the C-Trike exemplifies how local innovation can drive sustainable transport solutions that contribute to healthier, more inclusive, and environmentally sound communities across the Philippines.
Among the other key highlights of the event were the launching of the HANDA Pilipinas Guidebook and turnover of the HANDA Pilipinas Local Caravan Guidebook, as well as the ceremonial signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) on the adoption of the DOST-PHIVOLCS Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System (REDAS) in Zamboanga Peninsula and the establishment of a DOST-PHIVOLCS Earthquake Monitoring Station. These initiatives aim to fortify the region’s disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) capacities through science-based tools and innovations.
In addition, DOST IX inaugurated its first Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCEN) in Western Mindanao State University on September 23, 2025, marking a milestone in bringing advanced technologies for innovation and productivity to the Zamboanga Peninsula. The event also featured the Forum on Smart and Sustainable Communities (FORAS), along with knowledge-sharing sessions that showcased partnerships and community-driven initiatives for resilience and sustainable development.
Through these initiatives, the HANDA Pilipinas Mindanao Leg and RSTW 2025, hosted by DOST IX, demonstrated how science, technology, and innovation continue to empower communities, strengthen preparedness, and promote resilience in the Zamboanga Peninsula and the whole of Mindanao. (NELSON SANTOS)
