DOST Regional Offices, NAST-PHL Conduct Luzon-Wide Scientific Meeting; DOST-NCR to Host 2023 Celebration

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices – Luzon Cluster and the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines (NAST PHL) held the first leg of virtual Regional Scientific Meeting (RSM) on March 29-30, 2022.

This year’s scientific meeting is anchored on the theme “PAGTANAW 2050: Agham Tungo sa Mabuting Kinabukasan (FORESIGHT 2050: Science for a Sustainable Future)”.

The Luzon RSM provided an avenue to discuss the promotion, awareness and mobilization of science, technology, and innovation towards achieving a more sustainable blue and circular economy in the regional cluster.

Four groups, comprised of a mix of industry players, researchers from academic institutions, and representatives from local government units and regional line agencies, discussed issues on human resource, talent retention, and priorities for research and development.

Another highlight of the event was the Annual Scientific Poster Making Contest which featured 23 research outputs from participating academic institutions, research centers, and government agencies in the Luzon area.

One of the entries from the National Capital Region – “Potential of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Selected Philippine Mineral Deposits”, which was presented by the DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) bagged two special awards (Social Media Engagement Award and People’s Choice Award) and garnered the 3rd spot in the overall ranking. Meanwhile, entries from the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and the University of the Philippines – Los Banos placed 2nd and 1st, respectively.

DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose B. Patalinjug III also served as one of the members of the Board of Judges for the said competition.

The two-day event kicked off the preparation for the upcoming 44th Annual Scientific Meeting, which will be held on July 13-14, 2022.

DOST-V spearheaded this year’s Luzon RSM in cooperation with the other Luzon Regional Offices – DOST-I (Ilocos), DOST-II (Cagayan Valley), DOST-III (Central Luzon), DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region, DOST-CALABARZON, DOST-MIMAROPA, and DOST-NCR.

To cap off the event, RD Rommel R. Serrano turned over the responsibility for hosting the Luzon RSM to RD Patalinjug, who announced that next year’s event will be held in Metro Manila.

By: Shaira P. Rapisora, SCCU