LUNA, Apayao – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has provided PHP4.6 million worth of materials to strengthen robotics education and help students develop technology-based solutions to problems in Apayao.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum led the turnover of the materials to Apayao Science High School on Wednesday, adding to the robotics laboratory established with the support of the provincial government.
Solidum cited the school’s Grade 10 students, who have developed robotics prototypes for hospital administration, rescue operations, and monitoring prices of agricultural products sold by farmers and vendors.
He said the students’ innovations could be further developed and potentially adopted by government agencies.
“I was already happy just watching the video showing what our students had developed, which could be used by government agencies,” he said in Filipino.
Solidum said the investment reflects the department’s commitment to developing human resources, particularly by nurturing the skills and creativity of young learners.
He encouraged the students to maximize the laboratory resources by exploring artificial intelligence (AI), engineering, and other fields of science and technology.
Drawing on his childhood in a remote island in Romblon, where electricity was unavailable and water had to be fetched from a distance, Solidum said access to quality public education played a pivotal role in shaping his future.
He urged the students to make the most of the facilities and learning opportunities available to them.
Solidum said potential must be nurtured, curiosity must be encouraged, and talent must be given the tools to grow.
“We must also understand that innovation does not have to be with complicated ideas, there are lots of products of AI for sale, but what we need is something that can solve the problems of our people with the help of the learners. Through science and technology, we can improve everyone’s lives,” he added.
Investing in future innovators
Solidum said DOST continues to invest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and agriculture education through scholarships and the establishment of learning facilities.
These include the Philippine Science High School System, which provides scholarships to qualified students, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship programs.
He cited more than 50,000 undergraduate scholars pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and agriculture.
The department is also working to expand the Philippine Science High School System’s presence, with a target of having two campuses per region, he said.
In Apayao, Solidum said the PHP4.6 million worth of materials would complement the existing robotics center and provide students with more opportunities to develop practical applications of their learning.
Gov. Elias Bulut Jr. said the provincial government wants students to gain not only knowledge of robotics and AI but also access to facilities where they can create technologies that address community concerns.
He said the province could adopt some of the students’ existing innovations, provided these undergo further development and improvement.
Although Apayao is about a day’s drive from Metro Manila, Bulut said the provincial government is determined to ensure that its young people are not left behind in technological advancement.
“We will soon need these talents, skills and professionals in our province, and we want our youth to be ready for the needs of Apayao in the future,” he said.
He added that investing in students now would help ensure that the province has the skilled workforce it needs in the years ahead. (Liza Agoot/PNA)
TOYS OF THE FUTURE. Grade 10 students of Apayao Science High School demonstrate their artificial intelligence (AI)-powered innovations to Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum during his visit for the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week celebration. The DOST turned over PHP4.6 million worth of materials for the school’s robotics laboratory to complement the facility established with the support of the provincial government. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot)
