LAMITAN CITY, Basilan -- Students and aspiring investors in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) should focus on inventions that support the poverty alleviation program of the Muslim region, the regional head of the Department of Science and Technology said.
ARMM-Department of Science and Technology (ARMM-DOST) Secretary Myra Mangkabung issued the challenge as part of the first National Science Technology Week (NSTW), a synchronized national DOST campaign dubbed 'Juan Science, One Nation.'
"I urge our young scientist and would be inventors to focus more on invention that will support the campaign of our regional government in poverty alleviation," Mangkabung said while acknowledging that the ARMM region has vast potential for invention.
Mangkabung said the DOST-ARMM has already put up a significant number of projects to support the poverty alleviation program in the region such as technology transfers to empower the small and medium-scale enterprises.
She said they also conducted a series of technology-based training, capacity building and promotion of locally-made products through its 'one-stop product' development.
The ARMM DOST chief said innovation centers were also established in the different provinces in the region to tap potential inventors.
According to Mangkabung, a consortium of agencies is already supporting at least 81 product inventions and innovations in ARMM, which is the largest number in the country so far.
She said that with the promising results in science and technology in the region, the ARMM government has been lobbying for the establishment of a Philippine Science High School campus in Lamitan City since last year.
Mangkabung said the proposal already has a green light but the peace and order situation, which is being addressed by the leadership of Basilan Gov. Jim Hataman-Saliman, must be settled first.
Saliman, who was one of the sponsors of the bill for the establishment of a National Science High School in Lamitan while he was a congressman, was upbeat on the plan as this will give young students in this part of the ARMM a chance to participate in and develop science and technology in the Philippines.
Vice Mayor Roderick Furigay, representing the host city, said the conduct of the NSTW will sustain the enthusiasm of the young inventors.
"Bringing this activity here has sustained the enthusiasm in science and technology to make our everyday lives easier. Technology plays an important role in our development," Furigay said.