DOST Tarlac launches first-ever Project MIST in Central Luzon
TARLAC CITY – The De partment of Science and Technology (DOST) Tarlac launched Wednesday the first-ever Project Municipal Innovation through Science and Technology (MIST) in Central Luzon.
Leaning towards inclusive development in the countryside, the Project MIST is a collaborative effort of DOST Tarlac, Provincial Government of Tarlac and its local government units (LGUs) in partnership with Tarlac State University and Philippine Information Agency.
DOST Tarlac Provincial Director Karen Dañez said the project targets to bring substantial science and technology (S&T) innovations closer to the people with the active involvement of LGUs.
“In this time, we really need more S&T initiatives to provide solutions not only on the negative impact of the pandemic but more importantly, to the pressing problems of the communities,” she stressed.
Aside from pushing for meaningful and science-based development projects, DOST
Tarlac eyes to strengthen municipalities, with no exemption to the city component, in terms of countryside development in general.
“Through the 3Cs, we will be seeing a clearer light at the end of tunnel. The first C is Connect. We need to have a strong linkage in order to establish a solid network of science community and this can be achieved if we have a S&T champion or coordinator working at the local settings,” Dañez explained.
To ensure equal opportunities in accessing government support programs, the provincial director underscored the second C— Capacitate— wherein Project MIST partners from LGUs will be capacitated through series of capability building activities including project identification, packaging, implementation and monitoring.
Moreover, it will harness LGUs to become active partners in mainstreaming science and technology-based development projects in Tarlac.
“The last C which stands for Collaborate highlights the strong alliance in facilitating development in the communities. We need to translate our collective efforts to something beneficial to the public,” she said.
“Perhaps before we came here, the mist that we know are the tiny water droplets dispersed in the atmosphere. After this event, we will redefine MIST as dispersion of science and technology innovations at the grassroots of the society,” Dañez furthered.
---(PIA 3)