DOST-CALABARZON and DICT IV-A Strengthen Ties for Digital Innovation and Future Partnerships

By Vence Ralf D. Llorente

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-CALABARZON, through its Management Information System (MIS) Unit, hosted a coordination meeting with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region IV-A and UBX on February 24, 2025, at the DOST-CALABARZON Regional Office, ORD Conference. The meeting focused on the eVerify Pilot Integration and strengthening future partnerships.

A major highlight of the meeting was the discussion on the eVerify System, a digital identity verification solution launched by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). This system enables secure and efficient identity authentication of individuals using the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) national ID System database for various government and private sector transactions.

As one of the pilot participants, DOST-CALABARZON explored how eVerify can enhance its processes.  Ms. Trisha Martin-Manguiat, UBX Project Manager, spearheaded the agenda in front of Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director and the rest of her team by presenting an overview of eVerify, its objectives, scope of work, and roles and responsibilities of pilot participants. Meanwhile, Mr. Felix Martirez, UBX Business Analyst and Business Process Engineer, elaborated the identification of eVerify Use Case and process discovery.

As the meeting progressed in the afternoon, Ms. Bianca R. Pantoja, DOST-CALABARZON Science Research Specialist II, and MIS Unit Head, led discussions on the upcoming 2025 Regional Hackathon. The meeting began by sharing insights from the success of Hack4AProgress, a DOST-CALABARZON-initiated regional hackathon that began last 2024. Furthermore, the team dialogued and sought the ICT expertise and network of DICT IV-A to further strengthen this year’s regional hackathon.

Present during the meeting were key representatives from DICT IV-A, UBX, and DOST-CALABARZON. From DICT IV-A, attendees included Ms. Maria Graciela R. Bucad, Technical Operations Division Chief; Ms. April Rose Clemeno, Information Technology Officer I; Mr. Bryan Zeos Basco, Project Development Officer I; and Mr. Aries Delos Reyes, NIIPPB Focal. Representing DOST-CALABARZON were Engr. Francisco R. Barquilla III, Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations; and Ms. Mariel Caling, MIS Project Technical Assistant IV.

The meeting strengthened collaboration between DOST-CALABARZON and DICT IV-A, encouraging idea exchange and digital innovations that can benefit the region.

Note to editors: DOST-CALABARZON is one of the regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology and is located at Jamboree Road, Brgy. Timugan, Los Baños, Laguna. For more information, you may visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/dostcalabarzon or our website at www.region4a.dost.gov.ph. You may also reach us at parcu@ro4a.dost.gov.ph.