Bicol region: The Department of Science and Technology in the Bicol Region (DOST-5) announced Monday significant improvements in scholarship programs, enterprise support, innovation initiatives, and community-led science projects. This development underscores the role of science and technology in fostering inclusive regional growth.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a Kapihan forum, DOST provincial offices presented their achievements, which align with the four pillars: Human Well-Being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, and Sustainability. These accomplishments highlighted the positive impact of science-based interventions on communities, industries, and government institutions.
In his presentation, DOST-5 Regional Director Rommel R. Serrano emphasized that the agency's initiatives under the Human Well-Being pillar focused on enhancing nutrition, water security, and access to science education throughout the region. Serrano noted that DOST strengthened 15 active adopters of technologies developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute in Bicol, achieving nearly a 200 percent increase in the production of nutritional food packs over the past two years. Production surged from 267,000 packs in 2024 to 800,000 packs in 2025, supporting the Department of Education's feeding programs, particularly in island provinces such as Catanduanes.
'The initiative not only improved the nutritional status of beneficiaries but also generated opportunities for local enterprises involved in food production,' Serrano stated. To address water resources in highly vulnerable coastal and island communities, DOST deployed water desalination systems that now supply safe, reliable drinking water to over 780 households across several municipalities, including San Pascual in Masbate and Balatan in Camarines Sur.
Serrano also highlighted that ongoing investment in science education resulted in 1,604 new DOST scholars across the region. He mentioned that all municipalities in Bicol now have at least one DOST scholar and that 36 percent of scholarship graduates over the past two years earned Latin honors.
