ANILAG FESTIVAL 2025, SAMA SAMA SA TULUY- TULOY NA SAYA SA LAGUNA

 TAYTAY, RIZAL (August 9, 2024) — A team from the Department of Science and

Technology (DOST) CALABARZON, led by Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III,

Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations, and Dir. Fernando E. Ablaza,

Provincial S&T Director of DOST PSTO Rizal, presented the iSTART Project to

representatives from various departments (e.g., Admin, MENRO, Planning, Legal,

and SMILE I.T. Lab) of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Taytay. The meeting

took place at the SMILE I.T. Lab - Rosario Ocampo Elementary School, Taytay,

Rizal.

DOST CALABARZON introduced the "Innovation, Science and Technology for

Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development" (iSTART) project. This

initiative aims to integrate science, technology, and innovation (STI) into local

development plans, such as the Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) and

Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). This will help Taytay, a first-class

municipality, strengthen its development initiatives by identifying gaps and

incorporating relevant STI components.

To provide context for iSTART, ARD Barquilla connected it to the Smart and

Sustainable (Cities and) Communities Program (SSCP), highlighting Taytay's

recognition as one of DICT's "digital cities."

Mr. Patrick Isaiah Abarra, Project Technical Assistant of DOST CALABARZON,

further elaborated on the iSTART project background, pilot sites, and technical

aspects. He explained how iSTART aligns with CDP/CLUP through a designated

operational framework and the DOST Implementation Model of SSCP (from aim-

collaborate-establish to involvement of key players, achieving the desired outcome,

and becoming a "smarter" city/municipality). He also shared insights from the

Regional Stakeholder Analysis where agencies presented their STI plans, programs,

and activities.

Next, ARD Barquilla outlined the next steps for LGU Taytay if they decide to

participate in the iSTART Project. He clarified that DOST will cover the workshop

series, including the resource speaker(s), while the LGU will be responsible for

providing the venue and meals. Additionally, DOST can execute a Non-Disclosure

Agreement to ensure the confidentiality of data inputs from the LGU, its offices, civil

society organizations (CSOs), state universities and colleges (SUCs), barangay

officials, private stakeholders, and other relevant parties. The Legal Officer of LGU

Taytay also suggested a Data Sharing Agreement for further protection.

To maximize the meeting, ARD Barquilla also presented DOST-CALABARZON's

Infosystems (including DARIUS, TRACE, HRMIS, QMIS, PIMS) and Food Safety

Solutions.

The DOST team concluded the iSTART presentation meeting with a group photo

with the team of LGU Taytay. DOST CALABARZON and PSTO Rizal are hopeful for

the iSTART project's implementation in Taytay, following the positive response of Mr.

Enrico Marquez, Manager of the SMILE I.T. Lab, and Ms. Fatima Garcia, Head of

the Municipal Planning and Development Office of Taytay, pending the review of the

proposed Memorandum of Agreement.