CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) – The National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) celebration is now underway in Northern Mindanao, hosted by Cagayan de Oro City. The event, from November 27 to December 1, 2024, is happening at Limketkai Center.
Regional Director Romela Ratilla of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10 said the festivity features the vital role of science, technology, and innovation in shaping a sustainable future.
“The NSTW showcases how science, technology, and innovation drive national development. DOST and the science community present programs, products, and services accessible to the public,” she said.
Anchored on the theme “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan”, and the subtheme, “Providing Solutions and Opening Opportunities in the Green Economy”, the NSTW draws diverse participants, including the academe, local government units, national government agencies, and mallgoers.
The five-day event spotlights DOST’s initiatives under four strategic pillars: Human well-being, Wealth creation, Wealth protection, and Sustainability.
The exhibition at the Limketkai Mall Atrium and East Concourse combines with forums in nearby hotels, creating an immersive experience for attendees.
Northern Mindanao: A rising startup hub
Highlighting the region’s innovation ecosystem, Ratilla emphasized Northern Mindanao’s leadership in fostering start-ups and driving innovation programs. She cited the Oro Best Innovation Program, a benchmark initiative recognized internationally for its impact.
“Our first supported Oro Best Innovation Program has set a benchmark for other regional offices. The Oro Chamber, our partner, has gained international recognition for fostering start-ups, some of which have reached unicorn status with assets nearing one billion pesos,” she said.
This success underscores the region’s commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship through robust partnerships with stakeholders like the Oro Chamber of Commerce.
As DOST-10 spearheads the 2024 NSTW, it reaffirms its dedication to advancing science, technology, and innovation to uplift Filipinos’ economic and social well-being. (JAKA/PIA10)
