DOST establishes key partnerships, launches tech programs to aid industry growth in NCR

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2026-08-12. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

This record preserves information as published on the source website. It does not confirm that a historical opportunity, deadline, service requirement, contact, or planned project is current. Check with the responsible DOST office before acting.

Staged text edition: Source images are not included because image recovery was blocked. The captured article text is preserved; illustrations remain pending recovery.

The Department of Science and Technology–National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) recently launched the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Valenzuela City. This event featured various science and technology initiatives available for collaboration, highlighting the department’s commitment to promoting disaster resilience, smart city development, advanced manufacturing, digital learning, and grassroots entrepreneurship throughout the metro.

Valenzuela City as a partner in innovation

First in line is the partnership between DOST-NCR and Valenzuela City to formalize the city’s status not just as a pilot but as a national benchmark for technological adoption.

In his speech, Mayor Weslie T. Gatchalian, pioneer of the award-winning "10-Second Business Permit," highlighted that the city is already a destination for LGUs nationwide seeking best practices.

DOST, through its NCR office, will donate MOCCOV, short for Mobile Command and Control Vehicle, which includes a weather monitoring station, a rescue quadcopter drone, global satellite communication and surveillance equipment, and rescue and medical equipment. This is designed to maintain seamless communication and coordination in evacuation centers during calamities.

Mayor Gatchalian expressed his gratitude to the DOST, saying that this will be a big help during calamities.

“Speaking of disasters, nagpapasalamat ang Lungsod ng Valenzuela sa mobile command and control vehicle na ipagkakaloob ng DOST. Makikita ninyo ang halimbawa nito na nakaparada ngayon sa People's Park. Napakalaking tulong nito lalo na sa ating mga evacuation centers. Kapag may baha o iba pang kalamidad, napakahalaga ng maayos na komunikasyon. Hindi man kami isang probinsyang maraming kabundukan, ngunit kapag nasa evacuation center o nasa gitna ng isang kalamidad, napakahalaga sa amin ng communication. Ako mismo ay tutok sa aspetong ito,” he said.

(Speaking of disasters, the City of Valenzuela is grateful for the mobile command and control vehicle that the DOST will provide. You can see a sample of it currently parked at the People's Park. This will be a huge help, especially in our evacuation centers. Whenever there is flooding or any other calamity, proper communication is essential. Although we are not a province with many mountainous areas, when you are in an evacuation center or in the middle of a disaster, communication is critical to us. I personally focus heavily on this aspect.)

Second is the Innovation Hub (iHub) facility, dedicated as a startup incubator, which was opened within the Valenzuela Academic Center for Excellence (ValACE). iHubs are re-incubation workspaces developed by the DOST to help local startups, students, and researchers test and build tech prototypes.

Mayor Gatchalian noted that ValACE is a high-utilization site, operating until 10:00 PM, six days a week,

“Ito ang perpektong venue para sa creativity at innovation, at para maipakilala natin sa ating mga estudyante at Kabataang Valenzuelano ang mga oportunidad na hatid ng DOST,” he said.

(This is the perfect venue for creativity and innovation, and for introducing our students and the youth of Valenzuela to the opportunities provided by DOST.)

“Valenzuela City is a strong example of what can be achieved when local governments, communities, and the science and technology sector work together. Through these partnerships, science becomes more than research—it becomes a tool that creates real opportunities, improves public services, and brings meaningful benefits to people's lives,” said DOST-NCR Regional Director Romelen T. Tresvalles.

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang echoed this, saying that the RSTW celebration in NCR is an opportunity to look into complex problems such as food security, sustainable energy, and the resilience of communities, which are compounding concerns of the citizens, and how these complex problems require innovative solutions backed by science, addressed through technologies designed for Filipinos.

Among the key partnerships and projects launched during the event are:

• Adoption of the GeoRiskPH Platform: A collaborative agreement between DOST-NCR, the local government unit (LGU) of Valenzuela, DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and GeoRiskPH to integrate spatial data and risk assessment tools for enhanced disaster risk reduction and management.
• Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) Implementation: A strategic partnership between DOST-NCR and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to roll out smart, sustainable, and resilient community frameworks across urban settings.
• Launch of Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) Satellite Laboratories in the NCR: Formalizing the establishment of localized AMCen satellite facilities in partnership with AMCen, Jassen Harris Industries Corporation, OmniFab, the City of Malabon, Marikina Polytechnic College, Quezon City University, and DOST-NCR. Out of 18 AMCen laboratories established nationwide, three are strategically located in NCR to serve key industrial zones: CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela), PAMAMARISAN (Pasig, Mandaluyong, Marikina, and San Juan) and PAMAMAZON (Pasay, Makati, Manila, Quezon City).
• Launching of VirtuHalal Project: An interactive simulation platform for Halal slaughtering developed through the joint efforts of Far Eastern University Institute of Technology (FEU IT), DOST-NCR, and TESDA-NCR to elevate Halal compliance and skills training through digital innovation. VirtuHalal is a virtual reality training platform that equips Filipinos with Halal-compliant slaughtering skills for large ruminants, supporting the growth of the Philippine Halal industry through immersive, standards-based learning.
• VirtuHalal Partnership: A collaborative agreement between DOST-NCR and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) to strengthen the reach, cultural alignment, and institutional support for the VirtuHalal platform.
• iFWDPH Global Program: A partnership with the Entrepinoy Volunteers Foundation Inc. (EVFI) aimed at empowering returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families to establish technology-based enterprises in the region.
• Launching of VSpark Innovation Hub: The official unveiling of the Valenzuela Startup Development Program, an innovation hub created through the collaboration of DOST-NCR, LGU Valenzuela, and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) - Valenzuela to nurture local startups and tech entrepreneurs.

The 2026 RSTW celebration in NCR is led by DOST-NCR, in partnership with the City of Valenzuela, under the strategic theme "Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan.”

For the youth and students, there were hands-on engagements through interactive tech exhibits, STEM activities, film screenings, and innovation challenges (Gear Up NCR Esports Game Dev, Blue Horizons Sci-Art, and Code Green Hackathon).

For LGUs, communities, and organizations, knowledge-sharing forums centered on climate resilience, food security, sustainable energy, and urban development to foster strategic partnerships were held, while for MSMEs, startups, and industry partners, commercialization and growth opportunities were available via the TEKNOLOKAL Forum, technology exhibits, Fiesta Bazaar, consultancy clinics, and technology roadshows.

About RSTW

The Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) is an annual event organized by the DOST regional offices across 17 regions. This celebration showcases local technologies, research and development (R&D) projects, and innovative initiatives that connect communities, local industries, and stakeholders with science-based solutions. These efforts promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development in the region. The RSTW is one of the major scientific events leading up to the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) celebration, which will be held in General Santos City in November.  For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph or the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) Facebook page. (By Rosemarie S. Pelaez, DOST-STII)