STRENGTHENING PREPAREDNESS: DOST-PAGASA Joins 2026 RSTW in the Ilocos Region
DOST-PAGASA participates in the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in the Ilocos Region, in partnership with the local government of Dagupan City held at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City, Pangasinan from February 16–18, 2026.
The event was formally opened by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., joined by Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, Assistant Secretary and Presidential Assistant Secretary for Northern Luzon Ana Carmela Ventura-Remigio, and DOST Ilocos Regional Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog, together with other DOST officials and local government representatives.
To strengthen preparedness and safety in the region, DOST-PAGASA represented by Dr. Marcelino Q. Villafuerte II, Deputy Administrator for Research and Development, and Mr. Joel C. Rivera, Chief-of-staff, participated in a Memorandum of Understanding signing with the Department of Education Region I and DOST-PHIVOLCS for the institutionalization of MAGHANDA for Kids in Region I.
In line with this initiative, weather experts Ms. Sharon Juliet M. Arruejo and Ms. Rosalie C. Pagulayan, introduced students of Dagupan City National High School to basic weather concepts, tropical cyclones, flooding, and the importance of disaster preparedness to strengthen awareness on weather-related hazards and promote safety.
During the “From Hazard to Resilience: Translating Hazard Knowledge into Risk-Informed Action” event at Emerald Hall, CSI Stadia, weather experts Mr. Erie S. Estrella, Ms. Rosalie C. Pagulayan, and Mr. Gregorio B. De Vera II discussed weather, tropical cyclones, floods, and automated weather stations and technologies for DRRMOs, the academe, and various organizations.
This year’s RSTW highlights the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in supporting communities, particularly in empowering entrepreneurship and commercialization of science, in line with DOST’s Horizons Strategy. Interactive exhibits and knowledge-sharing sessions were also featured throughout the event.
Among the exhibits on display were DOST-PAGASA’s Flood Simulator and interactive platforms featuring PANaHON, iHeatMaP, SatREx, and CLiMap V2.0.
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