By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. highlights science-driven solutions for food security, sustaina...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. highlights science-driven solutions for food security, sustainable energy and disaster resilience during the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week opening in Lucena City on October 12.
LUCENA CITY, Quezon — New technologies targeting water security, agricultural productivity, education and local enterprise development were unveiled as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON opened the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) at the Quezon Convention Center on October 12. Around 1,000 participants attended the opening of the three-day regional gathering, which introduced community-based projects, research initiatives and scientific innovations designed to address development challenges across CALABARZON.
Quezon was among the beneficiaries of the initiatives, with a solar-powered water purification system for Jomalig, food safety-compliant vending carts for San Francisco and technology assistance for communities in San Francisco and Tagkawayan. The province also inaugurated CALABARZON's first 21st Century Learning Environment Model (21st-CLEM) Classroom at Quezon Science High School in Tayabas City and distributed robotics kits to 18 public schools.
Organized by DOST CALABARZON in partnership with the Quezon provincial government, the October 12–14 celebration brings together government agencies, academic institutions, researchers and industry representatives to strengthen technology adoption and regional competitiveness. The event showcases innovations supporting food security, sustainable energy and disaster resilience, alongside initiatives connecting scientific research with local industries and public services.
In her address, Quezon Governor Angelina “Doktora Helen” Tan emphasized the importance of scientific innovation in addressing challenges involving food security, sustainable energy and disaster preparedness. She stressed that technological advancements must translate into practical interventions that improve living conditions and strengthen communities against environmental and economic challenges.
“Indeed, science, technology, and digital innovation are not merely tools for modernization, but are critical agents in improving the lives of our people. Particularly, this convention highlights its critical role to secure food for every family's table, generate enough clean energy to power households and industries, and ensure our systems and communities are built within the framework of national resilience.” Tan said.
Tan also called for sustained cooperation among government agencies, academic institutions and private enterprises to expand scientific initiatives beyond the regional gathering. She encouraged participating organizations to strengthen research partnerships while inspiring young people to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation.
“Hence, as we convene for this year's RSTW celebration, I am urging everyone to keep pushing the envelope forward. Consistent with the agency's mission of advancing scientific development and innovation, let our voice and actions chart new courses for advocating science, technology, and digital innovation, stimulate partnerships and collaborations, and encourage young visionaries to tread the path towards careers in this field.” she added.
The celebration features 26 exhibitors in the Science and Technology Exhibit and 56 participants in the Teknolohiya at Inobasyon, Kaagapay ng Micro Enterprises (TIKME) Exhibit, nearly twice the previous year's participation. These displays showcase research outputs, locally developed products and emerging technologies while connecting entrepreneurs, researchers and potential industry partners.
At Quezon Science High School in Tayabas City, Tan, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. and Principal II Cyntia Cuya inaugurated the 21st-CLEM Classroom, established through cooperation among DOST, the provincial government and the Department of Education. Housed in a provincially constructed school building, the facility features augmented reality, virtual reality, robotics, drones, 3D printing and digital learning applications designed to strengthen interactive science education.
The provincial government and Schools Division Office also distributed robotics kits to 17 secondary schools and one elementary school to expand hands-on learning opportunities across Quezon. Tan expressed hope that the equipment would help students develop practical skills and explore emerging technologies while reaffirming provincial support for science education.
Solidum highlighted CALABARZON's progress in transferring scientific innovations to industries and communities, citing 107 DOST-developed technologies transferred to 193 adopters across the region. He emphasized that initiatives involving educational facilities, enterprise development and research institutions share the objective of addressing community needs and creating economic opportunities.
“These efforts from classrooms and laboratories to MSMEs and innovation hubs, and from communities to local governments may look different from one another, but they are connected by one purpose, using science, technology, and innovation to respond to the real needs and create better opportunities for our people. And that is what makes this Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week very important.” Solidum said.
The DOST chief also stressed that effective technological interventions require a clear understanding of the problems confronting communities before solutions are developed. He explained that scientific research must respond to actual conditions and prioritize technologies that can deliver meaningful benefits to their intended users.
“They demonstrate that science, technology, and innovation becomes more meaningful when solutions are developed with communities and address the challenges they actually face. More importantly, our way of doing things at the Department of Science and Technology follows the principle of falling in love with the problem and not the solution.” Solidum added.
Agricultural innovation also featured in the celebration through the Innovation Hub and Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) Hub at Southern Luzon State University. DOST CALABARZON currently supports 11 innovation hubs and nine active sites under the Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program.
The opening ceremony also brought together key government and academic leaders, including Solidum, Tan, DOST CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit and Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang. Southern Luzon State University President Dr. Frederick T. Villa and Lucena City Administrator Anacleto “Junjun” C. Alcala Jr., representing Mayor Mark Don Victor Alcala, joined other local government officials and industry representatives.
Other initiatives included the launch of Lucena City's Digital Business Locator Platform, the ceremonial turnover of air-quality sensor replicas and Science, Technology and Innovation Plans for Lucena and Tanay. Partnership agreements were also signed for the establishment of the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center in Rizal and the Silk Innovation Center in Laguna.
The opening program recognized outstanding enterprises and community organizations under DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), Regional Best Community-Based Project and Best CEST awards. Quezon-based Kalahiko Bakery and the San Francisco Ubi Producers Association were among the provincial awardees recognized for enterprise development and community-based initiatives.
The RSTW continues until October 14 with research exhibits, technology demonstrations, innovation forums and discussions involving government agencies, academic institutions and private enterprises. Remaining activities include visits to research facilities and initiatives supporting agricultural modernization, food processing, product testing and technology adoption across CALABARZON.
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