CORTES, Bohol, Nov. 16 (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is offering local government units (LGU) an opportunity to attract technology-based investments through science and technology (S&T) based development plans.
Through the Innovations, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Development (iSTART) program, LGUS who can develop S&T-based development plans that focus on the acceleration of agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors can avail of technical assistance to boost their plans and access DOST technologies.
According to DOST Bohol Provincial Science and Technology Center Director Vina Antopina, iSTART aims to help fast track the the balanced development of regions and attract domestic migrants to return to their hometown to decongest the metropolitan areas.
Antopina said the program will help improve the quality of life in the regions outside Manila through S&T innovations.
“Our next priority is to go back to the basic element in the society and strengthen empowerment in the local development councils,” Antopina said during the Kapihan sa PIA hosted by the Philippine Information Agency Bohol.
DOST emphasized that it is crucial for local government units to integrate S&T in their development plans as technology and innovation can address their problems, said Antopina.
DOST Bohol has proposed to local development councils to set up a Committee on Science and Technology.
“If they can do that, then we can have a focal person in the development council whom we can help to let the council see and access a menu of S&T solutions to their problems, or we can use S&T to back their proposals,” Antopina added.
She said these plans need to be effective and implementable without wasting precious resources.
Using an innovation on the Barangay Electronic Data System, the DOST can allow planners to access primary data showing senior citizens profiles and the services they would need.
For example, in health and nutrition, DOST can link LGUs with its developed technologies, such as the provision of healthier food options in local stores through the nutribun.
After LGUs have exhausted all S&T innovations, these can become a system for the LGUs to involve science and technology in the community, with the residents using the technology available in their areas.
Antopina hopes this can attract S&T based investors who would be confident in the barangay’s science-backed systems.
LGUs who are interested to access the iSTART can visit the DOST website for more details.
The Kapihan sa PIA is a radio forum that is streamed live over PIA Bohol Facebook page and YouTube channel. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
