BAMBOO SHOES, WEARS AND LOCALLY DEVELOPED INNOVATIONS HIGHLIGHT 2023 RSTW IN CAR

September 30, 2023 Provincial

BANGUED, Abra

Bamboo products, local textiles, and green technologies are at the forefront of the 2023 Regional
Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in this town that will run from September 27 to 29. Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officials led by Undersecretary Engr. Sancho Mabborang, local government unit representatives, partners, and other stakeholders kicked-off
the celebration with the ribbon cutting of Science, Technology, and Innovation Exhibits and Techno Bazaar.

Among the exhibits are DOST-assisted food products, bamboo innovations, local textile, homegrown inventions, and interactive technologies. During the opening ceremony, Mabborang said that the RSTW celebration is a platform to discuss and showcase locally developed science and technology developments. “It is a celebration that recognizes the role of science, technology, and innovation in the pursuit of inclusive sustainable economic development in the region” he said.

Mabborang encouraged extensive participation in reaching as many stakeholders as possible to bring science and technology closer to the people. DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog also
explained that the RSTW in CAR carries the sub-theme ‘Leveraging Green Innovative Technologies for Climate Change Adaptive Agriculture in CAR’ which focuses on green technologies for development. “Our sub-theme puts a premium on environment friendly technologies and innovation to promote resilient and sustainable economic development, not just meeting the needs for today but also those of the next generation,” she said.

Aside from promoting local innovations and green technology, the RSTW also aims to bring science
and technology to the countryside. Aside from promoting local innovations and green technology, the RSTW also aims to bring science and technology to the countryside. Bantog said that since 2017, the week-long celebration was brought out from the usual venues in Baguio and Benguet to reach out to more stakeholders in the grassroots.

She shared that this year’s RSTW in Abra is a dream come true despite the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2022, and the typhoons that affected the province recently. The DOST officials expressed gratitude to the local leaders in the province, the Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, national line agency partners, and other stakeholders who contributed to the conduct of the different activities of the 2023 RSTW.

These activities that include the exhibits, bazaar, fora, fashion show, robotics innovation session, and summits among others are open to the public until Friday, Sept. 29. Bantog hopes that the
different promotional and informational campaign activities will translate to technology adoption and utilization, engagement of clients, investment in smart technologies, and greater innovation and research partnerships with stakeholders. The 2024 RSTW in CAR will be held in the province of Ifugao.

(JDP/JJPM-PIA CAR, Abra)