Bontoc, Mountain Province– Three public schools in Bontoc will soon receive the first digital science library in the Philippines, the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The recipients are Dalican National High School (NHS), Guina-ang NHS, and Guina-ang NHS- Mainit Extension. The schools are located in End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) identified barangays.
The DOST has allocated P150,000 under the ELCAC funding for the procurement of STARTBOOKS.
The STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information kiosk; hence information access is possible even without internet connection that is why it is really for the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, thus, it is very appropriate in remote areas.
The information kiosk contains educational videos, library materials, DOST publications including the Philippine Science Journal, DOST technologies, interactive Science and Math course ware, and other education-related materials.
Prior to the turnover of the STARBOOKS kiosks to the recipients, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was forged between the DOST represented by DOST-Mountain Province Provincial Head Alfonso Berto and the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) represented by Mayor Franklin Odsey and Labor and Employment Officer II/ Science and Technology Coordinator Jenelyn Caluza . Also present is Municipal Accountant Yolanda Comafay. The signing of the MOA was held February 17, 2021 at the Mayor’s Conference Hall, Bontoc Municipal Capitol.
Mayor Odsey expressed his gratitude to the DOST for promptly responding to the request of the Bontoc LGU for the provision of STARTBOOKS kiosks to the ELCAC identified barangays as part of the government’s initiative in bringing its program to the grassroots- the community.**Alpine L. Killa, Bontoc LGU
