The Municipal Development Council (MDC) of Mandaon endorsed for approval by the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) the proposed Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Plan 2025-2035 of the Municipality of Mandaon during their regular meeting last October 15, 2024 at the SB Session Hall, Barangay Poblacion, Mandaon. The proposed plan was developed by a team of technical consultants from DEBESMSCAT, led by EnP. Jofer Asilum, with members Assoc. Prof. Wilfred Pagorogon and Engr. Fatima Buayaban. The team worked in collaboration with the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) of Masbate and the Municipal Planning and Development Office of the Local Government Unit of Mandaon.
The proposed Mandaon STI Plan shall serve as the main policy for the realization of the municipality’s long-term vision of becoming “A Smart Mandaon: The Science Town of Masbate, with progressive and eco-friendly economy, resilient infrastructure, improved, protected and sustainable environment, participative, empowered and God-fearing communities, and a people-centered and proactive government with responsive leadership.” It mainstreams STI programs, projects, and activities into the municipality’s five development sectors, namely, social, environmental, economic, physical, and institutional.
Among its priority projects are 1) the PISIK Mandaon (or the Progression and Innovation through Scientific gathering of Information and Knowledge in Mandaon) Project, which aims to advance the data management system of the municipality, 2) the construction of a new and modern wet and dry public market, 3) the implementation of the Balik-Pangumagat Scholarship to encourage the youth to study courses or participate in trainings related to agriculture and fisheries, 4) the establishment of hard and soft mechanisms and platforms that promote a pro-health-seeking behavior among the local populace, and 5) the identification and establishment of local protected and production areas.
The implementation of the PISIK Mandaon Project is already set and shall commence in 2025 with funding from the Department of Science and Technology through PSTO Masbate. Meanwhile, the next SB session where the MDC-endorsed Mandaon STI Plan is aimed to be approved shall be in November 2024. | Jofer B. Asilum
Ladies and gentlemen,
