Sorsogon City taps DEBESMSCAT researcher as lead facilitator of smart and sustainable community plan

November 13, 2024 – DEBESMSCAT International Relations Officer EnP. Jofer B. Asilum successfully led the 4-day workshop for mainstreaming science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the Comprehensive Development Plan of Sorsogon City held on November 5-6 and 12-13, 2024 at Sorsogon State University, Sorsogon City. The activity is a crucial step to help Sorsogon City become a smart and sustainable city, as well as “A Progressive and Dignified City of Choice,” especially in terms of meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism in Bicol Region.

Co-facilitated by the researchers of Sorsogon State University, the workshop was conducted to formulate the programs, projects, and activities that effectively integrate STI in the development process of Sorsogon City for the period of 2025 to 2035. These will form the city’s STI Development Plan to be finalized by the researchers of Sorsogon State University, under the guidance of DEBESMSCAT’s EnP. Asilum. The participants were composed of various sectoral stakeholders representing the offices of the City Government of Sorsogon, business and industry groups, the civil society, and among others.

The opening ceremony of the workshop held on November 5, 2024 was attended by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region V OIC-Regional Director Ma. Theresa Alcantara, the Provincial Science and Technology Office of Sorsogon Director Engr. Sandro B. Noguera, the Sorsogon State University SUC President III Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, and Sorsogon City Tourism Officer Ms. Asia Olbes Jao, who individually gave their welcome messages to the participants.

The STI Development Plan Towards A Smart and Sustainable Sorsogon City 2025-2035 is a partnership endeavor of DEBESMSCAT, Sorsogon State University, the PSTO of Sorsogon, and the City Government of Sorsogon through the DOST’s Smart and Sustainable Communities Program.

EnP. Asilum was tapped by the PSTO Sorsogon and the City Government of Sorsogon due to the successful run of the planning workshops for the STI Development Plan Towards A Smart and Sustainable Mandaon 2025-2035, which he also led, together with the members of the DEBESMSCAT Technical Working Group for the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program. | Jofer B. Asilum