Bataan highlights innovation-driven governance at APAMS 2026

Governor Joet Garcia underscored the province’s commitment to innovation, science, and good governance during the Philippine-American Academy of Science and Engineering Annual Meeting and Symposium (APAMS 2026) held on May 28 at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.

The annual symposium, hosted by the Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gathered Filipino and Filipino-American scientists, engineers, academicians, industry leaders, and policymakers to discuss ideas and initiatives that advance science and technology for national development.

During the event, Gov. Garcia presented several programs and infrastructure initiatives being implemented in Bataan that aim to improve public service delivery and promote sustainable development in the province.

Among the initiatives highlighted were Bataan’s continued push for electric vehicles, the ongoing construction of the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge, the 1Bataan Seal of Healthy Barangay, the province’s Learning Management System for education, and the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) used to strengthen peace and order monitoring.

Garcia likewise emphasized the importance of governance anchored on integrity, competence, and accountability, sharing the province’s guiding principle of Meritocracy. “We are a province shaped by history, known around the world as a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and resilience. But while we honor our past, we also recognize that our responsibility today is to build a future worthy of that legacy, and that future must be anchored on science, innovation, and purposeful leadership,” Garcia said.

This year’s APAMS carried the theme, “Inspired by the Past, Engineering for the Future: Transforming Philippine Science and Technology for Inclusive National Development.”

Also present during the symposium were DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., 2^nd District Representative Abet Garcia, 3^rd District Representative Gila Garcia, Bagac Mayor Ron Michael Alexis Del Rosario, and BPSU President Dr. Ruby Santos-Matibag. | NORLYN DELDOC and MHIKE CIGARAL