July 12, 2024 – The DEBESMSCAT Technical Working Group for the Smart and Sustainable Communities (SSC) Project headed by EnP. Jofer Asilum, with members Assoc. Prof. Wilfred Pagorogon and Engr. Fatima Buayaban, successfully facilitated the 4-day workshop for mainstreaming science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the Comprehensive Development Plan of the Municipality of Mandaon held on June 20-21 and July 11-12, 2024 at the Municipal Hall of Mandaon. The activity is part of the efforts to support the municipality in actualizing its vision to become a “Smart Mandaon: the Science Town of Masbate.”
The participants, composed of various local sectoral representatives and stakeholders, formulated the programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) to effectively integrate STI in the development process of Mandaon for the period of 2025 to 2035. These will form the municipal STI Plan to be finalized by the DEBESMSCAT SSC Project technical working group.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region V Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Ma. Theresa Alcantara, and the heads of the Provincial Science and Technology Offices of Masbate and Camarines Sur, Director Josie Albao and Director Patrocinio Felizmenio, respectively, presented the various initiatives and services of their agencies to support the realization of the PPAs.
The workshop is a partnership endeavor of DEBESMSCAT, the PSTO of Masbate, and LGU Mandaon through the DOST’s Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) program, with the support of the DOST Region V iSTART Program Core Committee led by the PSTO of Camarines Sur.