Highlights

The celebration of the Regional Science and Technology Week in Eastern Visayas was a great success as hundreds of individuals flocked into the Kanhuraw Convention Center and the Leyte SMED Center in Tacloban City where simultaneous activities were conducted last July 29-31, 2008 in connection with the event. The 3-day event was able to highlight the major contribution of science and technology in the daily lives of student, the professionals, the industry, and the general public through different programs geared towards improving these sectors.

The events were jointly organized by the Leyte Science and Technology Foundation, Inc. (LSTFI), the Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI-DOST), the Science Education Institute (SEI-DOST), and DOST-8. The major sponsors of the activities were the City of Tacloban through Honorable Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the LGU Province of Leyte through Honorable Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and the Congressional Office of First District of Leyte through Congressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The Opening Day was graced by the presence of the DOST Assistant Secretary and OIC of the Office of the Undersectary for Regional Operations, Dr. Carol M. Yorobe who highlighted the role of Science and Technology in nation building and the significance of the RSTW which form part of the larger events - the 8th Asean Science and Technology Week (July 1-11, 2008) and the National Science and Technology Week (July 7-11, 2008), respectively coordinated and spearheaded by DOST. This event were the major highlights as DOST celebrates 50th year as a government agency this year. Also present during the opening program were the DOST-8 Regional Director, Engr. Edgardo M. Esperancilla, Dr. Lesmes Lumen, the Chairman of the Leyte Science and Technology Foundation, Inc. who is the primary partner in the conduct of the activity, and the Mayor of Tacloban Hon. Alfred Romualdez.

As important as the opening ceremony the Closing Program marks the historical event in the pages of S & T in Eastern Visayas as DOST and the entire science community salute the contribution of 15 important people in their own field to what S & T has become in Region VIII during the 50 years of its advocacy. These people were honored by giving them plaques and certificates of appreciation. Also given certificates were DOST major partners which include 3 outstanding technology adotors under the DOST-SETUP program, 3 Outstanding DATBED implementors, 49 Institutions of Learning, National Agencies, Local Government Units, and Non-Government Organizations who were active partners of DOST-8 in 50 years of its existence.

Other major events during 3-day activities include the following:
Day 1 (July 29): Press Conference and Launching of the Leyte TBI Website, Lectures on Biofuel, Biogas Technology and Climate Change and Global Warming, S&T Quiz
Day 2 (July 30): Science Education Lecture Series for Teachers and Students, Audience and Group Discussion with DOST Asec Yorobe on Implementation of Projects and Activities on R & D and Technology Management of SUCs and R&D Institutions
Day 3 (July 31): IT products and Services in Eastern Visayas

Photo documentation