Partido State University (ParSU), through the Office of the Vice President for Research and Extension and Center for Sustainable Communities, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Local Government Unit of San Jose Partido, led the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Mainstreaming Workshop toward a Smart, Sustainable, and Innovative San Jose Partido held on January 29-30, 2026, culminating in a ceremonial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing on January 30 at the ParSU Board Room.
The activity is supported under the DOST’s Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-based Development (iSTART) Program, which serves as the primary funding mechanism for the initiative. Through iSTART, DOST enables local governments to systematically integrate science, technology, and innovation into governance systems to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
The January workshop built on the initial STI visioning activity held on December 22–23, 2025 at the LGU San Jose Municipal Office and forms part of a four-workshop series aimed at crafting San Jose Partido’s 10-year STI Plan. Once finalized, the plan will be integrated into the municipality’s Comprehensive Development Plan for 2026-2032 to institutionalize science-and technology-driven interventions aligned with long-term development goals.
ParSU served as the lead technical partner, providing governance and planning expertise by guiding stakeholders in refining measurable STI targets, aligning priority programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), and encouraging partner agencies and institutions to propose STI interventions consistent with their mandates – strengthening inter-agency collaboration through a whole-of-government approach.
In his message of support, ParSU President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo highlighted the University’s role in advancing growth across the Partido area and the importance of inter-agency collaboration. “No single institution—whether national, local, or academic—can address complex development challenges alone,” he said, noting that sustainable development arises when local governments provide direction, national agencies like DOST contribute expertise and programs, and universities bring research, innovation, and human capital. Describing the Memorandum of Understanding as a shared commitment to evidence-based governance and inclusive innovation, Pres. Zarcedo reaffirmed ParSU’s support, saying, “As President of [ParSU], I assure our partners of the University’s full commitment to work closely with DOST, the LGU of San Jose, and other stakeholders in translating this agreement into concrete programs and outcomes that will benefit our people.”
The ceremonial MOU signing formalized collaboration among ParSU, LGU San Jose Partido, DOST V, and various stakeholders. The agreement establishes a shared commitment to digital transformation, community empowerment, and economic resilience, with ParSU acting as technical facilitator and partner agencies providing policy support, resources, and implementation support.
The workshop was attended by sectoral representatives of LGU San Jose Partido, partner agencies, and ParSU facilitators and technical experts. Among those acknowledged were DOST V Regional Director Dir. Rommel R. Serrano, CESO III; San Jose Partido Local Chief Executive, Hon. Jerold B. Peña; ParSU Vice President for Research and Extension, Dr. Raul G. Bradeciña, and representatives from DICT, DILG, DepEd, DENR, DTI, DA, BISCAST, CBSUA, PSHS-BRC, the Partido Development Administration, the San Jose Partido Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the United Visual Artists of Partido.
Through sustained collaboration and strategic integration of science and technology, ParSU’s intervention through STI Mainstreaming Workshop reinforces San Jose Partido’s vision of becoming a smart, innovative, and sustainable municipality anchored on data-driven governance, inclusive growth, and long-term development planning.#
