“𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅. 𝑾𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒕!”- 𝐆𝐨𝐯. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐧 Delegates led by Samar Governor, Hon. Sharee Ann Tan, DOST VIII Regional Director, Engr. Ernesto M. Granada, Provincial Planning & Development Coordinator, Engr. Nicasio U. Bermejo held a collaborative meeting on the proposed iSTART (Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development) and SMART City (Smart and Sustainable Communities) projects at SP Hall, Samar Provincial Capitol. Also present are delegates from academe partners led by NwSSU President, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, and SSU President, Dr. Marilyn S. Cardoso. iSTART is a platform for the strategic alignment of the DOST technology transfer programs and projects, engagements of RSEs, and conduct of research and development needed to create or improve Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in support to the development of the countryside. It aims to support balanced development geographically by accelerating regional growth through science, technology, and innovation. The project will assist LGUs in developing a technology-based development plan for agri-based manufacturing and service sectors, engage Researchers, Scientists, and Engineers (RSEs) who will support technology-based investments and projects in the region, and attract new technology-based investments in accordance with the validated plans in collaboration with LGUs. A Scientific, Technological, and Innovative (STI) Plan which will identify the appropriate strategies and the corresponding programs and projects will be created through the leadership of DOST Region 8, PLGU Samar, with strong collaboration with the academe partners – SSU and NwSSU. The SMART City project aims to transform the target cities of Catbalogan and Calbayog into SMART Cities where initiatives and approaches are taken effectively to leverage digitalization, boost citizen well-being, and deliver more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive urban services and environments as part of a collaborative, multi-stakeholder process. The project desires seven outcomes which are quality of life, government efficiency, sustainability, health and wellness, economic development, public safety, and mobility. The partnership in the Strategic Mechanism will include the LGU, DOST Smart City Council, and the Higher Education Institution which is tasked to contribute to the crafting of innovative programs and projects in the LGU. “𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙮, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙚ñ𝙤𝙨. 𝙃𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙞 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙜𝙠𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙡 ‘𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙙.” – 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐋. 𝐏𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐲𝐨 Another meeting which will be attended by the representatives of PLGU Samar, DOST, NwSSU, and LGU Calbayog will be scheduled for the commencement of the STI Planning.
