With the aim of strengthening and extending disaster awareness and preparedness in the country, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) officially solidified collaboration through a memorandum of agreement held at the Executive Lounge, DOST Central Office, on 08 February 2024.
This partnership supports the OCD’s campaign in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) by including their related activities, materials, and publications in the DOST-STII flagship product, the digital library called STARBOOKS, or Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks.
“With the signing of the memorandum of agreement, the DOST and OCD reaffirmed their commitment to providing free and accessible DRRM-related information, empowering individuals, communities, government agencies, and other partners with essential knowledge and resources required for effective responses to a variety of disaster or emergency scenarios,” underscored DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Maridon O. Sahagun.
According to Usec. Sahagun, this collaboration with the OCD enriches the content of STARBOOKS by incorporating scholarly information on DRRM that aids in the disaster response operations of local government units and remote communities, which are the primary recipients of these kiosks.
In the message of OCD Administrator Ariel F. Nepomuceno, delivered by OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito R. Alejandro IV, the OCD expressed its gratitude to the DOST, especially with their program on STARBOOKS as it increases the level of awareness and knowledge of people by integrating information and educational content about science and technology, as well as other areas linked to it.
“I am grateful knowing this partnership with DOST STARBOOKS will support our shared goal of providing people with more access to science and technology, alongside DRRM information,” OCD Administrator Nepomuceno said.
Meanwhile, DOST-STII Director Richard P. Burgos shared that by bringing OCD activities, materials, and publications to STARBOOKS, people will better understand what to do before, during, and after the unexpected occurrence of natural disasters. DOST-STII Director Burgos also took this opportunity to share that many agencies, institutions, and organizations recognize the value of STARBOOKS in bringing science and technology closer to communities and individuals. “Today, our STARBOOKS is really our anting-anting. Because it allows us to perform, shine, and be recognized,” he affirmed.
STARBOOKS, a stand-alone information source, has successfully disseminated and installed its 7,535 kiosks nationwide, providing more accessible science, technology, and innovation information and education for the people. (By Rhea Mae B. Ruba, DOST-STII)