2026 RSTW in Western Visayas Set in Kalibo

KALIBO, Aklan — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Western Visayas will hold the 2026 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Kalibo, Aklan on October 1 to 3, 2026, highlighting the role of science, technology and innovation in addressing regional challenges and creating opportunities for communities and industries.
The three-day celebration will be held at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo under the theme, “Siyensya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” with the sub-theme, “Science, Technology, and Digital Innovation Driving Food Security, Sustainable Energy, and National Resilience.”
The event is being organized in partnership with Aklan State University (ASU), the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Municipality of Kalibo.
This year’s RSTW will showcase Aklan’s rich piña fiber and weaving heritage, which is inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and was certified as a Geographical Indication in 2025.
DOST Western Visayas said the celebration will explore how research, technology and digital innovation can help strengthen traditional industries while opening new economic opportunities.
One of the highlights will be the launching of the Silk Innovation Center at the ASU-Banga Campus on October 1. The initiative aims to help establish and strengthen a local silk production ecosystem in Aklan by bringing together key stakeholders and local silk producers.
The official RSTW celebration will also feature an Innovation Village showcasing robotics, e-games, textiles and fibers, food, and smart and sustainable communities.
Among the featured technology innovations are the Sea-condition Emergency Alert and Warning Apparatus for Vessel Safety (SEAWAVES) and PalAI, described by DOST as the Philippines’ first AI-powered agricultural chatbot.
The Natural Fibers and Textiles R&D and Innovation Roadmap will likewise be launched during the celebration.
Other activities include science, technology and innovation fora, fireside chats and lightning talks, a student startup competition, smart and sustainable communities fora, a health research forum on tourism, a sustainable tourism forum for local government units, a robotics challenge, and the SETUP and CEST forum and awards.
The DOST-PTRI Textile Forum and Innovation Dialogue will also form part of the three-day celebration.
The official closing ceremony will be held on October 3 at the ABL Sports Complex in Kalibo.
DOST Western Visayas said the 2026 RSTW will serve as a venue to demonstrate how science, technology and innovation can be woven into the region’s future while supporting food security, sustainable development, resilient communities and emerging industries.