The Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region) convened a Special Management Committee (ManCom) Meeting on February 27, 2026 at the DOST Ilocos Region Multipurpose Hall in the City of San Fernando, La Union, bringing together the agency’s leadership to align key programs, upcoming initiatives, and organizational priorities that will advance science, technology, and innovation (STI) in the region.
The meeting was presided over by Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog, with the participation of Assistant Regional Directors, Provincial Directors, and Unit Heads, reinforcing a unified leadership approach in steering the agency’s strategic programs and ensuring the effective delivery of STI interventions that benefit communities and industries across the Ilocos Region.
A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of preparations for the Innovation Summit for North Luzon Cluster, led by ARD Decth-1180 P. Libunao and the DOST Pangasinan team. As presented by Ms. Jennifer C. Fernandez, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST Pangasinan, the summit is envisioned as a major platform for advancing innovation collaboration across Northern Luzon. Among the key activities to be featured are the Ceremonial Technology Licensing Agreement (TLA) signing involving Regions I, II, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), technology adopter success stories, and forums promoting innovation and technology transfer. These initiatives aim to accelerate the commercialization and adoption of locally developed technologies, strengthening regional competitiveness and innovation ecosystems.
During the meeting, Director Tabaog also emphasized the significance of the Secretary’s 3 Horizon Strategy, underscoring its role in guiding the Department’s long-term vision for science, technology, and innovation. She highlighted the need for regional programs to align with this strategic framework to ensure that initiatives translate into tangible benefits for communities and industries. Key programs supporting this direction include the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), OneLab, the Solido DRRM Knowledge Hub, Project SARAI, and the region’s Innovation Hubs (iHubs) – all of which contribute to expanding technology access, strengthening disaster resilience, and enhancing innovation-driven development.
Updates on the agency’s 2nd Surveillance Audit and preparations for the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) were presented by Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations Services Racquel M. Espiritu, who also serves as the PQA Manager, along with Engr. Brian U. Rasco, Provincial Director of Ilocos Norte. The discussion reinforced the importance of maintaining high standards of organizational excellence and clarified the roles and responsibilities of staff to ensure readiness and compliance with quality management systems.
Moreover, Human Resource staff Beverlyn B. Cardinez also presented updates on the agency’s roadmap toward PRIME-HRM (Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management) Level III accreditation, outlining the key phases and milestones necessary to strengthen the agency’s human resource management systems and institutionalize a culture of meritocracy and performance excellence.
The meeting concluded with presentations from the Committee Heads of the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), who shared their post-event evaluation highlighting accomplishments, challenges encountered, and strategic recommendations to further enhance the planning and impact of future regional STI celebrations.
Through collaborative planning and strategic leadership, the Special ManCom Meeting reaffirmed DOST Ilocos Region’s commitment to strengthening innovation ecosystems, improving organizational excellence, and advancing “Agham na Ramdam” – science and technology that deliver meaningful solutions, expand opportunities, and improve the lives of communities across the Ilocos Region.( Hannah Dorothy Morales)