The Department of Science and Technology’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DoST-ASTI) kicked off the 2nd Advanced Science, Technology, and Innovation Convention (ASTICON) last 5 August at Novotel Manila, Quezon City — all under the timely theme, “Preparing Tomorrow, Today.”

For DoST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Leah Buendia, the message is clear: “The future is built by the actions we take now — especially those grounded in science and driven by progress.”

Four new flagship programs took center stage, each pushing the limits of what’s possible. The AI-Centered Computation, Optimization and Responsible Research Development or ACCORD will harness AI for national priorities, with an emphasis on responsible research and workforce development. Advancement of Autonomous Systems, Wireless Connectivity and Embedded Electronics for National Transformation or ASCENT will focus on advancing autonomous systems, IoT, and wireless connectivity for nationwide transformation. Collaborative Open Network Infrastructure for Emerging Technologies, Computing, and Connectivity or CONNECT aims to build open network infrastructure for emerging tech and scientific collaboration. Transforming High-Impact Research into Viable Everyday Solutions or THRIVE will turn high-impact research into everyday solutions.

DoST-ASTI Director Franz de Leon summed it up best: “If you’re looking for the next big thing in science and technology, you don’t have to look far. Look at DoST. Fantastic technologies live here.”

DoST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. praised ASTI’s work for going “beyond institutional strategy” — citing projects like SARwAIS for disaster risk monitoring and iTANONG, which lets the public access government data in English, Tagalog, or Taglish.

The convention drew over 200 participants — from industry leaders to innovators — with exhibits from tech partners like Murata Electronics, Thinking Machines and AWS, plus talks from Microsoft Philippines, Twala and IONICS.

Building disaster-ready communities

Just days later, Solidum was in Baguio for HANDA Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas (7 to 9 August), an expo on local technologies that help LGUs prepare for earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions and more.

“It’s not just about gadgets,” he said. “When communities understand the risks and have the tools and knowledge to act, they become stronger and safer.”

The event highlighted solutions like GeoRiskPH, a hazard mapping platform now adopted by the Cordillera Regional Land Use Committee, and Dynaslope, which uses sensors for early landslide detection. Other projects like SARAI, which supports climate-smart agriculture, and DANAS, a multilingual disaster risk reduction toolkit, showed how science works on the ground.

Climate action and R&D as a national mission

In Manila, the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilASST) and DoST-NCR gathered experts to tackle climate change under the PAGTANAW 2050 vision.

The Climate Change Commission unveiled the National Adaptation Plan 2023–2050, mapping strategies in agriculture, water resources, biodiversity, cultural heritage and more.

Meanwhile, the 8th National R&D Conference brought together over 150 scientists to share innovations — from near-real-time rainfall monitoring tools like SatRex to the GeoRiskPH and PlanSmart platforms that streamline hazard data for local planning.