Romblon State University (RSU) joined the 2026 MIMAROPA Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW), held on August 17–19, 2026, with the University serving as one of the key partners of the Department of Science and Technology–MIMAROPA (DOST-MIMAROPA) in the region-wide celebration.
Carrying the national theme, “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” and the sub-theme, “Science, Technology, and Digital Innovation: Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy, and National Resilience,” the three-day celebration is being conducted simultaneously across the five provinces of MIMAROPA, with Romblon serving as the host and central hub. Anchored on the regional campaign “TARA, pa-MIMAROPA! (Teknolohiya at Agham na Ramdam, Aarangkada pa sa MIMAROPA),” the celebration brings science, technology, and innovation closer to island communities while strengthening collaboration among government, academe, industry, and other stakeholders toward inclusive and sustainable regional development.
As host province, Romblon carries the theme “Discover MIMAROPA,” highlighting innovations, technologies, and products from across the region through a regional exhibit and forums anchored on DOST’s Four Pillars: Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, Human Well-being, and Sustainability. The province also advances the complementary directions “Safeguard MIMAROPA,” which focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and “Grow MIMAROPA,” which emphasizes local enterprise development and innovation-driven support for MSMEs and community-based industries.
For RSU, the celebration provides a platform to demonstrate how research, innovation, and academic expertise can be translated into solutions responsive to the needs of island communities. The University mounted a booth featuring products developed by various RSU offices and campuses, alongside research outputs and innovations that reflect the University's continuing efforts to contribute to local and regional development through science, technology, and innovation.
A major highlight of RSU's participation was the launching and turnover of projects under Smart Islands Rising: Technology Launches for Mobility, Water Security, and Resilience, including initiatives that directly involve RSU as an implementing academic institution and research partner. Among these is the Conch and Cone Hatchery, a sustainable smart aquaculture initiative being implemented by the College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Resources of RSU Santa Fe Campus, in collaboration with DOST-MIMAROPA through its Provincial Science and Technology Office–Romblon, the Local Government Unit of Santa Fe, and the Agmanic Fisherfolk Association.
Also highlighted was the MARBLE Center (Marble Applications in Research for Biodiversity, Land, and Environment) of RSU, supported by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The Center is focused on developing sustainable applications for Romblon's world-renowned marble resources by strengthening research, advancing innovative marble-based products, and creating opportunities that can benefit local communities.
Another significant RSU contribution is Project TRIPSY v2.0: An Android-Based Application for Tricycle Booking and Dispatch System in the Municipality of Odiongan, an innovation developed by RSU Romblon Campus programmers in partnership with the LGU of Odiongan and DOST-Romblon. The second phase of the initiative features a refined tricycle booking application designed around the needs of Odiongan, with the goal of improving commuter and driver productivity, promoting transparent fare pricing, minimizing waiting times, and enhancing overall service delivery.
Through these initiatives, RSU's participation in the 2026 MIMAROPA RSTW goes beyond showcasing institutional accomplishments. It demonstrates the University's role as a research, innovation, and knowledge partner in addressing the realities of island communities, bringing together students, faculty, researchers, government agencies, industry partners, and communities to develop solutions with practical and sustainable applications.
In her message of support, RSU University President Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani expressed confidence in the University's continuing contribution to Romblon and beyond, emphasizing its potential to create meaningful and lasting impact through research and innovation. She said, “I am very confident that Romblon State University will continue to make a mark, creating not just one impact but ripples of impact in the lives of Romblomanons, and developing programs and research that will contribute to regional, national, and even global development.”
Her message underscores RSU's commitment to ensuring that its research and innovations create meaningful impact beyond the University, contributing to the development of communities across Romblon, the MIMAROPA region, and the broader national and global landscape.
As the 2026 MIMAROPA RSTW brings science, technology, and innovation closer to communities across the region, RSU continues to strengthen its role in transforming knowledge and research into island-responsive solutions, sustainable opportunities, and innovations that create ripples of impact.
As host province, Romblon carries the theme “Discover MIMAROPA,” highlighting innovations, technologies, and products from across the region through a regional exhibit and forums anchored on DOST’s Four Pillars: Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection, Human Well-being, and Sustainability. The province also advances the complementary directions “Safeguard MIMAROPA,” which focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, and “Grow MIMAROPA,” which emphasizes local enterprise development and innovation-driven support for MSMEs and community-based industries.
For RSU, the celebration provides a platform to demonstrate how research, innovation, and academic expertise can be translated into solutions responsive to the needs of island communities. The University mounted a booth featuring products developed by various RSU offices and campuses, alongside research outputs and innovations that reflect the University's continuing efforts to contribute to local and regional development through science, technology, and innovation.
A major highlight of RSU's participation was the launching and turnover of projects under Smart Islands Rising: Technology Launches for Mobility, Water Security, and Resilience, including initiatives that directly involve RSU as an implementing academic institution and research partner. Among these is the Conch and Cone Hatchery, a sustainable smart aquaculture initiative being implemented by the College of Marine Sciences and Aquatic Resources of RSU Santa Fe Campus, in collaboration with DOST-MIMAROPA through its Provincial Science and Technology Office–Romblon, the Local Government Unit of Santa Fe, and the Agmanic Fisherfolk Association.
Also highlighted was the MARBLE Center (Marble Applications in Research for Biodiversity, Land, and Environment) of RSU, supported by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The Center is focused on developing sustainable applications for Romblon's world-renowned marble resources by strengthening research, advancing innovative marble-based products, and creating opportunities that can benefit local communities.
Another significant RSU contribution is Project TRIPSY v2.0: An Android-Based Application for Tricycle Booking and Dispatch System in the Municipality of Odiongan, an innovation developed by RSU Romblon Campus programmers in partnership with the LGU of Odiongan and DOST-Romblon. The second phase of the initiative features a refined tricycle booking application designed around the needs of Odiongan, with the goal of improving commuter and driver productivity, promoting transparent fare pricing, minimizing waiting times, and enhancing overall service delivery.
Through these initiatives, RSU's participation in the 2026 MIMAROPA RSTW goes beyond showcasing institutional accomplishments. It demonstrates the University's role as a research, innovation, and knowledge partner in addressing the realities of island communities, bringing together students, faculty, researchers, government agencies, industry partners, and communities to develop solutions with practical and sustainable applications.
In her message of support, RSU University President Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani expressed confidence in the University's continuing contribution to Romblon and beyond, emphasizing its potential to create meaningful and lasting impact through research and innovation. She said, “I am very confident that Romblon State University will continue to make a mark, creating not just one impact but ripples of impact in the lives of Romblomanons, and developing programs and research that will contribute to regional, national, and even global development.”
Her message underscores RSU's commitment to ensuring that its research and innovations create meaningful impact beyond the University, contributing to the development of communities across Romblon, the MIMAROPA region, and the broader national and global landscape.
As the 2026 MIMAROPA RSTW brings science, technology, and innovation closer to communities across the region, RSU continues to strengthen its role in transforming knowledge and research into island-responsive solutions, sustainable opportunities, and innovations that create ripples of impact.
