With the goal of bringing its services closer to the communities.
Earlier in the week, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., together with Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang, and Region 3 Director Julius Caesar Sicat, led the inauguration of three of the agency’s facilities in Pampanga.
These are the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO), the Innovation Hub (iHub), and the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCEN).
In his message, Sec. Solidum emphasized the agency’s thrust to make science more accessible and relevant to Filipinos, especially those in the regions.
“In the past, accessing government services often meant travelling long hours to the capital or central office, and this can be time-consuming, costly, and challenging, especially for those living in remote communities. Today, we are changing that approach,” adding that the DOST is bringing science closer to the people.
He highlighted that the facilities in Central Luzon reflect DOST’s “bold journey towards helping the country and our people in their socio-economic development.”
SARAI
SARAI is the flagship initiative developed in partnership with UP Los Baños (UPLB) to improve agricultural productivity in the countryside to help farmers attain better agricultural products through the application of smart technologies.
This brings together data-driven tools such as crop modeling, satellite remote sensing, and geographic information system-based pest identification systems, which will help farmers make informed decisions, increase yields, and improve profitability.
The Secretary added that President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr himself has directed both the DOST and Department of Agriculture to implement SARAI nationwide.
“We will be able to bring the innovative tools of the SARAI Project closer to our farmers in the region,” he said.
For his part, Director Sicat added that SARAI CeNTRO is especially vital to Central Luzon, the country’s “rice granary”, as it strengthens support for food production and smart agriculture.
“SARAI will be a big help to provide proper guidance to our farmers, especially as Central Luzon continues to support the food requirements of Metro Manila,” Sicat emphasized.
iHUB
Meanwhile, the Innovation Hub (iHub) serves as a collaborative workspace for innovators, students, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Mabborang explained that iHub is part of the DOST growing innovation ecosystem, with Central Luzon’s hub being the 64th Innovation Hub established nationwide.
“This is a physical space where researchers, inventor-students, and the business community can interact; from ideation, incubation, and inspiration, up to startup creation,” Mabborang described the facility.
He noted that the agency envisions these hubs to eventually attract venture capitalists, angel investors, and technology entrepreneurs. The PHP148 million in funding has also been approved for iHub development in provinces next year.
“I am very happy that DOST Region 3 has curated the Innovation Hub. This will deliver cutting-edge technologies and empower the countryside,” he said.
AMCEN
The third of those is AMCEN, which was inaugurated to support the growth of the manufacturing and industrial sectors of the region.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art 3D printing and Industry 4.0 tools, enabling industries, students, and universities to create prototypes and develop advanced products using various advanced tools including 3D printing technologies.
“With industrialization ramping up here in Central Luzon, particularly in manufacturing, DOST aims to contribute to its growth by establishing a hub where we can strengthen the research and technological capability of our industries,” Sec. Solidum said.
Maborrang, meanwhile, emphasized how the technonlogy will change the industry, noting, “Before, it would take a week or a month to make a prototype. Now, you can program it on a computer, print it with a 3D printer, and create the prototype in several minutes.”
Further, Sicat also shared that Central Luzon’s AMCEN’s additive manufacturing laboratory has begun partnerships with Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital to use 3D printing in medical applications.
Sec. Solidum then expressed that these three initiatibes are anchored on the DOST’s goal of providing solutions and opportunities to everyone.
“Through science, technology, and innovation, and our spirit of collaboration and faith, we can show that science will really create an impact for our people, especially in the regions and provinces,” he said.
“They are not merely concrete and steel or plastic features. They are doors to new possibilities created by innovation, platforms of change and transformation where we can turn the dreams and hopes of the Filipino people into realities from ideas for a brighter future that benefits everyone,” the Science and Technology chief concluded.