PSTC Davao del Sur kicks off with its S&T planning workshop for 2022-2023
“Let’s vault in!” This was the tagline of partners and stakeholders representing the Pentahelix sectoral groups of Davao del Sur who converged for the Provincial Science and Technology (S&T) Planning Workshop of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Provincial Science and Technology Center of Davao del Sur (PSTC DS) was the first among the series of Provincial/Division S&T Planning Workshops for the entire Davao Region that kicked off on 17 September 2021 via online meeting platform. The planning workshop was conducted to gather relevant inputs from different sectors on various issues and concerns that can be addressed through the different DOST programs, projects, and activities.
One of the highlights of the activity was the comprehensive presentation of PSTC DS Accomplishment Report as of September 2021. Major accomplishments included the 80% fund disbursement of its Php 5.8M assistance to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP); 92% fund disbursement of its Php 3.5M Local Grants-In-Aid fund for its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program; various assistance provided to Women Micro-enterprises under the GREAT Women Project; more than 100% of targeted Technology Trainings conducted, Technical Consultancy Services rendered and Testing and Calibration Services referred; 100% of municipalities with DOST scholars and STARBOOKS installed; 100% fund utilization for the DOST-Academe Technology-Based Enterprise Development Project with students of University of Mindanao-Digos College as proponents for prototypes developed; and its latest assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through the Innovation for Filipinos Working Distantly from the Philippines (iFWDPH) Program where the province has one OFW who finished the Phase 1 for capability enhancement and is now on Phase 2 for project funding. PSTC DS also achieved 89% of refund rate from SETUP projects and attained Very Satisfactory Customer Rating with a score of 4.71 over 5. PSTC DS was also lauded for its implementation of 5S quality workplace standard.
On the other hand, the Davao del Sur Provincial S&T Plan for CY 2022-2023 presented contained the inputs of participating sectoral groups, including the proposed S&T interventions to address emerging issues and concerns up to the grassroots level of the community. A salient aspect of the presentation was DOST’s proposed series of capability building and enhancement activities for the Local Government Units (LGUs) in line with its devolution program to commence on 2022.
To further strengthen the development agenda for the region, Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III, DOST-XI regional director, emphasized the creation of a Provincial Research and Development Agenda for Davao del Sur, the establishment of innovation hubs in the province, and the development of R&D ecosystems for S&T Innovations. (DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion)
