ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) held in Iloilo City pushed for collaboration and a call to action for scientists, researchers, policy makers, and community leaders to unite in leveraging bioscience innovations for inclusive growth and environmental stability.
Organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Visayas Cluster, the theme was anchored on “BioScience Innovations: Transforming Enterprise Ecosystems for Wealth Creation.”
It underscored the critical role of bioscience innovations in addressing community needs, fostering resilience, and driving sustainable economic development.
NAST PHL President and medical doctor Jaime Montoya cited the importance of scientific meetings, such as discussing relevant regional concerns and employing science-based strategies to foster a sustainable and viable bioenterprise system in the country.
“Most of the presenters, if not all, are [actually] talking about their actual experiences in fostering and nurturing bio enterprises or in their respective fields. It covers a very diverse system from health to agriculture to industries,” Montuya shared in a press conference.
Meanwhile, DOST Regional Director Rowen Gelonga shared that the scientific meetings were grounded on the agency’s key pillars, namely human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability.
It highlighted focal areas on community-based livelihood innovations, sustainable resource management, conservation and education, and workforce development.
“It essentially boils down to how we best utilize the scientific knowledge that we have generated and [really] come up with practical applications on the ground so that we could address the different development challenges we have in the regions,” Gelonga said.
Gelonga added that the feedback and inputs are crucial in crafting research and development endeavors and policy recommendations that are reflective and responsive.
Apart from the plenary sessions, a scientific poster launching was also held featuring the research institutions from the Visayas cluster.
Topics covered in the scientific poster highlight breakthroughs in the field of bioscience. (AAL/LMLE/PIA Iloilo)
