S&T Alaminos event launches standard time

ALAMINOS CITY, Philippines — Science and technology  enthusiasts, especially students, were treated to science, technology and innovation projects and benefits developed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its attached agencies from Sept. 18-21 at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center here. 

The activity commenced with the launching of Philippine Standard Time at the Alaminos City Hall, followed by the opening of exhibits and the ceremonial signing of the city and S&T Coordinating Council. 

Technology exhibits like mobile planetarium, RxBox Medical Assessment and fora or training like improving bamboo industry, improving peanut production, iSalt project launching, agriculture and aquaculture productivity, bottled bangus and tuyo making, basic baking 101, nutritious and emergency food reserve, fermented fish processing, calamansi juice and concentrate processing, pickled vegetable making, banana, camote and cassava chips making, robotics workshop and competition were also featured.

Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the department aims to bring to the people the benefits of S&T, especially in the regions. 

He said DOST is thankful to local government units like Alaminos City for the collaboration. 

The department extends help also to disadvantaged and marginal communities through S&T in different ways including generating livelihood through technology. 

Dela Peña said DOST also has its scholarship program where LGUs can help campaign in schools in their respective areas to try the scholarship examinations. 

For his part, Mayor Arthur Celeste thanked DOST for the important programs the agency brought to the city like crab hatchery and corral transplantation at the Hundred Islands National Park.

Plans are also underway to combine tourism thrust with science and technology, Celeste said. 

He said Alaminos City is being visited by millions of tourists, both foreign and local.

In Alaminos alone, Celeste said last year, the Hundred Islands National Park had more than 600,000 visitors.

“So why don’t we put up a hub with one town one product that features the inventions of DOST that will showcase the giving of support to local inventors?” he said.