The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday launched the 2026 Handa Pilipinas-Luzon Leg at the SMX Convention Center in Clark, Pampanga, to promote science-based solutions for disaster preparedness and resilience.
Running for three days, the event brings together local government units (LGUs), national government agencies, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) practitioners, and industry leaders from across Luzon.
DOST Regional Director Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat said the event carries the theme “Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Ligtas at Matatag na Bayan.”
The nationwide disaster resilience and science-and-technology exposition aims to connect scientific innovations with LGUs, communities, and the private sector to strengthen disaster preparedness and response.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. and other agency officials attended the opening ceremony, highlighting the government’s commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation for disaster risk reduction, emergency response, and community resilience.
Among the key features is the HANDA Platform, an integrated digital system developed by DOST and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to support disaster preparedness, early warning, and response.
The event also showcases geospatial and hazard-mapping tools, including GeoRiskPH and HazardHunterPH, which help communities assess natural hazards and identify potential risks.
Exhibitions, bazaars, interactive displays of disaster mitigation technologies, science-based solutions, and collaborative enterprise panels are also featured during the three-day event.