The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) went full force in its participation in the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) 2023 held recently in Iloilo City.
Among the hundred plus S&T products and technologies put on display were coco sugar, virgin coconut oil, and coconut ethyl alcohol developed by the Philippine Coconut Authority-Zamboanga Research Center. Hibiscus hybrids from the Institute of Plant Breeding of the University of the Philippines Los Baños were also featured.
The Council featured more than a hundred technologies, products, and services, which cater to the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sector at its Agriculture and Food Security Cluster Exhibit at the Iloilo Convention Center, the main venue for the S&T exhibits.
Along with DOST-PCAARRD officials and staff members, representatives from the Western Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVAARRDEC); Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (VICARP); Central Visayas Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (CVAARRDEC); Northern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (NOMCAARRD); Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC); and other regional consortia member institutions also participated in the exhibit.
Aside from the exhibits, DOST-PCAARRD also organized a series of lectures for its techno fora, namely, “Navigating waves of innovation: Unleashing tech potential in the blue economy;” “Creating more green jobs through S&T: Toward sustainable and empowered communities;” “S&T initiatives on blue economy: Management and conservation of tuna, sardines and blood cockles;” “The future of fish farming: A dive into sustainable aquaculture;” and “Agricultural resources management towards sustainable green economy.”
Visitors register at the DOST-PCAARRD Agriculture and Food Security Cluster Exhibit.
Policy briefs and other publications were given free to the exhibit visitors.
The 2023rd edition of the NSTW was also conducted in two other venues: Captain John B. Lacson Training Ship and Museum of Philippine Maritime History for the “Lawud: Marine S&T Exhibits” and the National Museum of Western Visayas for the “Hinabul: Natural Fiber and Textile Exhibit.”
NSTW is an event platform which heralds S&T advocacy in the country. It was institutionalized in 1982 through Proclamation No. 2214 signed by former President Ferdinand E. Marcos, which designated the second week of July each year for its observance.
From 1993 until 2019, the NSTW was celebrated every third week of July under Proclamation 169 under the administration of former President Fidel V. Ramos.
However, in August 2019, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Proclamation 780, moving the NSTW to the fourth week of November.
For 2024, NSTW will be hosted by DOST X in Cagayan de Oro, also on the last week of November.