By Dennis Nebrejo
TORRIJOS, Marinduque, Philippines — The province of Marinduque joined the opening of the 2026 MIMAROPA Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Aug. 17 at the Torrijos Stadium.
This year’s celebration carries the theme “SUSTAIN MIMAROPA: Biodiversity, Environmental Sustainability and Natural Resources.”
The regional opening was held in Romblon and was livestreamed at the Torrijos venue through an LED screen. DOST MIMAROPA Regional Director Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda led the opening ceremony with Romblon provincial officials headed by Governor Trina Firmalo-Fabic.
In Marinduque, Torrijos Vice Mayor Edmar Frias delivered the opening message, followed by a message from Juan Fernandez Jr., chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, who represented Governor Melecio Go.
The opening day featured technology forums focused on innovations that could address local development needs, with students from various schools taking part in the activities.
One of the morning sessions featured the FISH-I Technology Forum, led by Keith Paolo Buenaventura, Supervising Science Research Specialist of DOST Marinduque, and Justine Carlos Doctolero, Project Development Officer of FISH-I Inc., who served as resource persons.
The forum introduced the FISH-I technology and compared it with conventional methods, highlighting its potential applications in monitoring and managing marine resources.
An ItikPINAS Technology Forum was also held, opened by Bernardo Caringal, director of the Marinduque Provincial Science and Technology Center. Dr. Synan Baguio, chief science research specialist and director of the Livestock Research Division, discussed “Breed Development, Improvement and Sustainable Utilization of ItikPINAS.”
The session provided participants with additional knowledge on duck production while giving them an opportunity to exchange experiences and practices and obtain information from resource persons.
Meanwhile, an orientation on coral fragment planting on artificial reef blocks was conducted by representatives from the Torrijos local government, the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office and Our Mother of Perpetual Succor Academy, with the participation of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
The activity served as part of preparations for the revival and implementation of coral restoration efforts in the municipality.
The first day of the RSTW activities underscored the role of science, technology, and innovation in addressing community needs and promoting a more sustainable future. (DN/AS/JBG/PIA MIMAROPA-Marinduque)
