TACLOBAN CITY — Senatorial candidates belonging to the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas has vowed to secure funding for initiatives that would help boost science education in Eastern Visayas.

This is in support of the plan by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) to develop the region as a science tourism destination.

“If God permits we’re elected into the Senate once again, we’ll make sure the budget for these projects are well placed and executed well,” said former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in a press conference during the coalition’s visit to Tacloban City, Leyte.

Announced late last year by the DOST and the DOT, the science tourism initiative aims to create educational and immersive experiences that highlight Leyte’s scientific and natural resources.

The project will initially include tours of the Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining (PASAR) Corporation in Isabel, Leyte, the Energy Development Corporation geothermal steamfields in Kananga town and Ormoc City, the Coffee Processing Center in Ormoc City, and Alto Peak Cafe Chocolate Processing also in Ormoc.

The two government agencies taking the lead in the project will assess these science tourism sites and conceptualize tour programs that are suitable with the region’s offerings.

Affirming Alyansa’s support for the advancement of education around the country, former Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said he would continue to support any initiative in science tourism.

Reelectionist Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino said that with the establishment of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines in Leyte, which he had pushed for, the region now has more centers of science education that would create more projects.

But more funding, he added, will boost Eastern Visayas’ quest to become a science and tourism hub.

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Jester P. Manalastas