The DOST, in partnership with the DILG, has enhanced its STARBOOKS in Bohol by adding governance-related modules, which can facilitate faster legislative research to help speed up the crafting of policies and local ordinances. The STARBOOKS for governance is a first in the country and launched in Bohol. (PIA Bohol)
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has introduced more innovative use of its offline digital resource center in a kiosk with a customized module on governance for Bohol.
“DOST has innovated the Science and Technology Academic and Research‐Based Openly‐Operated Kiosk System (STARBOOKS) in Bohol with an additional customized module for governance,” revealed DOST Science Technology and Information Institute (STII) chief Dr. Richard Burgos.
The first in the country, the STARBOOKS for Governance (STARBOOKS 4G) was launched in Bohol in line with the province’s hosting of the 2024 Central Visayas Regional Science and Technology Week.
Burgos said DOST has incorporated in the digital resource kiosk relevant governance information to advance legislative research and hasten legislative processes by making relevant information available to local government unit operations officers and other local government stakeholders.
“The upgraded STARBOOKS for governance in Bohol features a databank of municipal ordinances, local executive orders, memoranda, circulars and policies needed for legislative researchers,” he explained.
The digital library is currently accessible in 47 local government units and the Department of Interior and Local Government Office (DILG) here.
STARBOOKS for governance also keeps records of DILG administrative issuances, memorandum circulars, department orders, legal opinions, governance-related court decisions, among others.
STARBOOKS 4G aims to enhance the capabilities of the Local Governance Resource Center of the DILG-Bohol Province across 47 local government units by making local governance learning and information materials accessible to its constituents across the province. (Photo courtesy of DOST STARBOOKS FB page)
Essential to local government units
Municipal local government operations officer (MLGOO) Adonis Damalero said the STARBOOKS is important to their work when it comes to accessing relevant and accurate information that needs to be relayed to the local government units.
“STARBOOKS is essential because the data DILG workers can get from here can be relayed directly to the municipal and barangay units to capacitate people with true and factual data, especially those that affect them,” said Damalero.
On the other hand, MLGOO Vince Igcalinos said even those with poor or have no internet connection can still access the information from STARBOOKS.
“As a digital innovation designed to provide readily accessible governance information and adequate learning materials to all the constituents across the province, even those with limited and unreliable internet connectivity, the data is now available in those offline kiosks installed in MLGO offices,” said Igcalinos.
The governance data bank in the STARBOOK can be especially helpful to newly-installed local government officers as it contains information they need to guide them in implementing programs and enforcing policies.
Offline “pods”
Loaded with thousands of digitized science and technology resources in text, graphics, and video audio formats placed in specially design “pods” in a user‐friendly interface, STARBOOKS are offline stand-alone Information kiosks with printable read-only information and a one stop-shop of science and technology information.
It aims to serve as information access portals in key areas in the country so that communities can have digital access to the scientific information physically available at the STII, Science and Technology Information Network of the Philippines, Philippine Electronic Library Project sources, freely‐available online resources, and subscribed databases.(RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)
