Pasay City, Philippines – The Advanced Science and Technology Institute of the Department of Science and Technology formalized its partnership with various agencies and communities through the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last 13 December 2023, held at Lanson Place, Pasay City. This partnership signifies the agency’s commitment to delivering science and technology connectivity solutions even within the urban agglomeration of Metro Manila through the Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal in Urban Setting (REIINN-NCR) Project.

DOST-ASTI signed the MOU with its agency partner — the Department of Science and Technology- National Capital region, its community partners — Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and Brgy. Balangkas, Valenzuela City and with its NGO partner — Good Neighbours International Philippines.

Representing DOST-NCR, Ms. Jonalyn Morales shared how this partnership between agencies of the DOST and with other stakeholders was formed and accomplished through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program promoted by the agency. She emphasized the necessity for exploring areas of cooperation between organizations and agencies in the pursuit of bringing science to the people.

Ms. Jonalyn Morales of DOST-NCR opens the ceremonial signing.

Engr. Philip A. Martinez, Project Leader of REIINN, led the discussion of the project’s goals and objectives and the re-introduction of REIINN in the Urban Setting to the audience. This was followed by a discussion on the project accomplishments by Engr. John Chris T. Kwong, Project Technical Lead of REIINN’s RuralCasting component.

Engr. Philip Martinez providing the project introduction and Engr. John Chris Kwong sharing the REIINN-NCR's project accomplishments.

As he closed the ceremonial signing, Dr. Franz A. de Leon, director of DOST-ASTI, shared how this MoU signing will lead to the possible development of infrastructures that facilitate the widespread dissemination of information to diverse communities in Metro Manila and in other urban areas.

“It brings me great joy to emphasize that this marks just the initial phase of our incredible and fulfilling journey in delivering science and technology made by Filipinos to Filipinos.” he said, highlighting that this event is merely the beginning of the long, fulfilling work of service for barangays Balangkas and Bagong Silang and other similar communities.

Fostering a genuinely connected Philippines- DOST-ASTI signs MoU with DOST-NCR

The formalization of DOST-ASTI's partnership with DOST-NCR proves vital as DOST-ASTI heeds its mandate to work closely with agencies and institutions to help us advance its goals in research and development through such technologies of REIINN: RuralCasting and LokalLTE, empowering one barangay after another and empowering one family to more.

ABOUT PROJECT REIINN

Project REIINN proposes a collective approach to ensure the continuity of learning and to address the challenges brought about by the digital divide. The project aims to develop and implement innovative solutions to support distance learning and to address the digital divide in the country during and beyond the pandemic. Access to the internet and information is crucial even before the pandemic, as it prepares and equips individuals toward a burgeoning digital economy. The team believes that through technology-based interventions coupled with appropriate policies, access to the internet and information in unserved and underserved areas will be the new normal.