The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Bohol Provincial S&T Office hosted the iSTART and SMART Forum for Local Government Units (LGUs) on April 18, 2024. As part of the 2024 DOST Central Visayas Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), over 100 participants from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, and Siquijor attended the event. The forum aimed to promote regional development through science, technology, and innovation (STI) by aligning DOST's programs and projects with local development plans.

iSTART, which stands for Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Technology-Based Development, is DOST's flagship program that promotes the integration of STI into local governance. iSTART assists LGUs in formulating technology-based development plans tailored to their unique needs.

Apart from topics on preparedness and resilience during natural disasters, the forum also addressed important issues like community involvement in public safety and revenue generation through innovative ICT technologies. CVISNET Executive Director, Mr. Jeffrey N. Llanto, was one of the speakers who shared their expertise to provide participants with practical strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of local governance.

Central Visayas is on the cusp of a technological revolution with the iSTART and SMART programs leading the way towards innovation and prosperity.