DEBESMSCAT, DOST 5, and LGU Mandaon join forces in actualizing Smart Mandaon 2035: The Science Town of Masbate

October 15, 2024 – DEBESMSCAT, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Bicol Region, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of the Municipality of Mandaon signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the formulation of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Plan 2025-2035 that will serve as the main policy providing for the transformation of the municipality into the “Smart Mandaon, the Science Town of Masbate” by 2035. 

In this partnership, DEBESMSCAT is primarily in-charge of creating the design for and facilitating the planning workshops involving various sectoral stakeholders for the formulation of the Mandaon STI Plan. The institution is also in-charge of writing and finalizing its draft manuscript, which shall be reviewed and approved by the Mandaon Municipal Development Council and Sangguniang Bayan.

On the other hand, the identified and approved programs, projects, and activities of the Mandaon STI Plan shall be implemented by LGU Mandaon, with technical assistance from DOST Bicol, through the Masbate Provincial Science and Technology Office and DOST’s Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) and Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) programs.

The DEBESMSCAT Technical Working Group for the formulation of the Mandaon STI Plan is headed by EnP. Jofer Asilum, Planning Officer II and International Relations Officer, while the members are Assoc. Prof. Wilfred Pagorogon of the College of Arts and Sciences and Engr. Fatima Buayaban of the College of Engineering. 

The MOA Signing was held during a general assembly of the Mandaon Municipal Development Council held on October 15, 2024 at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in Barangay Poblacion, Mandaon. DEBESMSCAT is represented by EnP. Jofer Asilum, while DOST Bicol is represented by Masbate Provincial Science and Technology Officer Josie Albao, and LGU Mandaon by Mayor Kristine Salve Hao-Kho and Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator EnP. Edgar Rana. | Jofer B. Asilum