The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IX once again celebrated its annual Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) on September 9-11, 2019 at the Madrid Hall of Palacio del Sur, Zamboanga City. With President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call:“ Let us together put science to work for the benefit of the Filipino nation”, the RSTW’s theme “Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development” suites his marching order to the DOST towards leveraging science for faster economic and inclusive development, in which RSTW aims to showcase the different Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) exhibits, fora and other side events which highlight DOST technologies and services for the local community.

One of the highlights of the event was the presence of the DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña as the keynote speaker, wherein he emphasized the significance of the celebration. He stated that the Science and Technology Week this year is the DOST flagship event that gathered the country’s leading scientist, researchers, educators and stakeholders who interacted with investors, entrepreneurs, industry representatives and professionals as they opened partnerships and collaboration.

As part of the RSTW events, the National Nutrition Council Regional Office 9 was invited to be one of the exhibitors and be on the Cluster of Good health and Well-being exhibit area. NNC RO 9 aimed to feature the different programs and services it offers and to share nutrition related information to everyone. Apart from this, free nutrition counseling was also conducted for those who wanted to be kept updated of their nutritional status and to be informed of the do’s and don’ts in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Featured in the booth are the 10 Kumainments, Nutritips for the Senior Citizens, the Pinggang Pinoy, Nutrition School on the Air Guide, the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN) 2017-2022, First 1,000 Days guide, Investing in Nutrition is good governance brochures, and the Lutuing Gulay Recipe book.

To make the exhibit more fun, the booth engaged into some trivial nutrition questions called “Swerte sa Nutrisyon” and participants with the right answers were awarded with exciting and beneficial prizes. A Go, Glow and Grow food group picture puzzle was also concepted by Ms. Jane Baygas of DOST IX to add the level of excitement in the booth. Students from different levels and participants from different institutions flocked the exhibit area to gain more nutrition related knowledge, win exciting prizes and to have fun in this three-day event.

The event ended up with the DOST IX disclosing the winners for the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) and a closing ceremony wherein they expressed their gratitude to all the participants and exhibitors who took part in the success of the event. Indeed, 2019 RSTW was a success not only for the DOST IX and its attached agencies but also for all the other exhibitors including NNC 9 who succeeded in promoting good nutrition