Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. called for stronger education, food security and disaster resilience in Romblon, stressing that targeted technological interventions are crucial to unlocking the island province’s full economic potential.

Speaking at a pre-Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week event, the Romblon native shared his vision for the province under the banner “Smart Island Rising: Launching of STI Interventions in San Agustin, Romblon.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, Solidum noted that local students possess inherent talent but often face competitive disadvantages due to geographic, energy and logistical constraints. He recalled taking the Philippine Science High School entrance examination as a student and encountering advanced topics that were not taught locally until years later.

“Our opportunity to compete with others is a bit limited,” Solidum said in Filipino. “Logistics-wise, raw materials-wise, and energy sources are expensive because they don’t originate from here.”

To address these challenges, the DoST unveiled several key regional projects during the event.

DoST MIMAROPA regional director Bernardo Sepeda and Department of Education MIMAROPA Schools Division superintendent Roger Capa signed a Memorandum of Agreement to implement eTURO, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered teaching platform.

Solidum urged educators and residents to embrace artificial intelligence without fear, comparing initial skepticism around AI to the early adoption of social media.

Don Luis Hidalgo Memorial School in Marinduque and San Agustin Central Elementary School in Romblon will serve as pilot locations for the eTURO platform.

Solidum cited Philippine Statistics Authority surveys showing Romblon ranking among the top provinces in basic and functional literacy, noting that island provinces simply require equal access to economic and educational development opportunities.

To support local commerce, officials launched the San Agustin Smart Information, Navigation, and Access Gateway Tourism Kiosk.

The automated system delivers real-time information on travel destinations, transportation, lodging, local products, emergency contacts, and public services for visitors.

Under the Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal initiative, DoST-MIMAROPA awarded the REIIN-LokalFi system to strengthen digital connectivity and local information dissemination for disaster preparedness and emergency response.

For local food security, DoST-MIMAROPA turned over a solar energy system to power San Agustin’s Mini Ice Plant Facility.

Following an initial equipment grant in October 2023, the new solar infrastructure addresses high local electricity costs and enables more than 2,000 registered fisherfolk to preserve their catch and avoid selling spoiled fish at reduced prices.