The Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region) led by Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Philippine Open Government Partnership Project Management Office for its invaluable support, active participation, and meaningful contribution as an organizer and partner during the successful observance of Open Gov Week 2026.
In support of the nationwide call for a more transparent, accountable, participatory, and people-centered government, DOST Ilocos Region, together with its Provincial Science and Technology Offices—DOST Ilocos Norte, DOST Ilocos Sur, DOST La Union, and DOST Pangasinan—joined the celebration by opening its doors to the public and bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to the people, anchored on its commitment to deliver “Agham na Ramdam” through science-based programs and services that are accessible, responsive, and meaningful to communities across the region.
As part of its Open Gov Week activities, DOST Ilocos Region facilitated an Open House event that welcomed students, partners, stakeholders, and the general public to learn more about the agency’s programs, projects, facilities, and science-based services. The activity featured interactive learning sessions such as Sci-Kwentuhan, SIMATAR, STARBOOKS, DOST Courseware, and STI Trivia, which made science, technology, and innovation more engaging and accessible to visitors. Participants also explored the SOLIDO DRRM Knowledge Hub, where they learned about science-based disaster risk reduction and management resources, and joined the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory tour (RSTL Tour), which provided a closer look at the technical services that support product quality, public safety, local enterprises, and evidence-based decision-making.
For DOST Ilocos Norte, the celebration was brought to Batac City through a series of activities led by Provincial Director Brian U. Rasco, including audiovisual orientations, interest profiling, a pre-election engagement for the Movement of Ilocos Norte DOST Scholars (MINDS), and the OneASIN-MMSU Salt Production Knowledge Sharing session. These activities highlighted the importance of public awareness, scholarship engagement, and knowledge-sharing in supporting education, local industries, and community development.
DOST Ilocos Sur, under the leadership of Provincial Director Jordan L. Abad, extended the spirit of open governance to Sto. Domingo by showcasing DOST programs and services, science, technology, and innovation initiatives, scholarship, livelihood, and community development opportunities, as well as technologies supporting local industries, MSMEs, and agriculture in the province. Beyond information-sharing, open governance was also demonstrated through direct community work, including water sampling for Project DANUM under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology program in Banayoyo and food safety and value-adding training for ube processors in Sugpon. These activities reflected how scientific and technical support can help communities improve livelihood opportunities, food safety practices, and resilience.
Meanwhile, DOST La Union, led by Provincial Director Jonathan M. Viernes, highlighted its programs and services, STI initiatives, and facility tours at the Regional Metrology Laboratory and the Advanced Manufacturing Center Ilocos Region. Through these tours, participants were introduced to the role of accurate measurement, calibration, and advanced manufacturing technologies in strengthening local industries, supporting innovation, and improving service delivery.
Completing the regionwide participation, DOST Pangasinan, led by Provincial Director Arnold C. Santos, presented its programs, services, STI initiatives, and calibration services in Lingayen. The activity helped participants better understand how DOST’s technical assistance and equipment calibration services support public safety, quality assurance, industry competitiveness, and the needs of local enterprises.
Through Open Gov Week 2026, DOST Ilocos Region reaffirmed that open governance goes beyond opening doors—it is about building trust, encouraging participation, and making public service more accessible, responsive, and meaningful to the people. Guided by its commitment to deliver “Agham na Ramdam,” the agency remains steadfast in bringing science, technology, and innovation closer to people, beyond the observance of Open Gov Week and into its everyday service to the people.