CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) inaugurated three major facilities geared towards enhancing access to science, technology, and innovation (STI) in Central Luzon.
These facilities, including the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen), the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines-Centralized National Hub for Regional Operations (SARAI CeNTRO), and the Innovation Hub (iHUB), aim to advance research, digitalization, and collaboration across sectors.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. stressed that these initiatives form part of the department’s goal to decentralize services and make scientific tools more accessible to communities across the country.
“In the past, accessing government services often meant traveling long distances, especially for those in remote communities. Today, we are changing that approach by bringing science closer to the people, meeting communities where they are instead of expecting them to come to us in Manila,” he said.
The secretary added that STI continues to drive inclusive development, both in agriculture and industry by enabling new opportunities and improving outcome and productivity, especially for farmers and workers.
Solidum noted that under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., STI plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and revitalizing industries as tools for growth and transformation.
For his part, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang lauded DOST Central Luzon, saying these initiatives reflect the region’s unwavering dedication to build and harness science to uplift farmers, empower entrepreneurs, and prepare industries for a resilient future.
“With these facilities, the keys are now within our hands to move forward….to transform challenges into opportunities. Together, we can build a future where every Filipino thrives, contributing to a smarter, stronger, and more sustainable nation that benefits all,” he cited.
Meanwhile, DOST Central Luzon Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat reaffirmed the importance of these initiatives in making science and technology felt among the public.
“This is a way to showcase what the department has been doing and what it can offer in the entire ecosystem. Sa ngayon, dapat makita ninyo anu-ano ang mga iba’t ibang development na pwede nating ibahagi sa ating mga kababayan. Believe in science because science works,” he added.
The AMCEN expands access to cutting-edge technologies in prototyping and product development, supporting local industries and startups.
The SARAI Project promotes data-driven and climate-smart farming through research and decision-support tools for farmers.
Meanwhile, the iHUB serves as a co-working and co-creation space for innovators, researchers, and small businesses to accelerate the translation of ideas into market-ready solutions. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)