VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — The Department of Science and Technology, in partnership with PCCI Tacloban–Leyte Inc., brings HANDA PILIPINAS 2026 (Visayas Leg) under the theme: “Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Ligtas at Matatag na Bayan” from October 7-9, 2026, at the Leyte Convention Complex, Palo, Leyte.
Making sure that disaster preparedness is the top priority of the government especially for communities who had experienced the severe impact of disaster, the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) 2026 Handa Pilipinas returns to Leyte on October 7-9, 2026, to push for disaster preparedness and resilience in region 8 and across the country.
Dubbed as 2026 Handa Pilipinas: Agham at Teknolohiya Para sa Ligtas at Matatag na Bayan, the DOST Eastern Visayas will lead the Visayas leg this year. Handa Pilipinas aims to pioneer a collaborative, crisis-ready, and inclusive business environment across the Visayas region. This also highlights the importance of bridging the gap between scientific innovation and the private sector.
DOST-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Dr. John Glenn D. Ocaña, in an interview on Radyo Siyensya on October 2, 2026, said that resilience is not the government’s job alone.
“This initiative is significant because it bridges disaster preparedness with economic resilience. When a disaster strikes, it impacts far more than homes and infrastructure—it disrupts businesses, livelihoods, agriculture, the food supply chain, and the daily lives of families. Partnering with the business sector through PCCI Tacloban-Leyte Inc. is vital to building true resilience,” Ocaña noted.
By involving local enterprise and business networks directly, the event ensures that local economic drivers are equipped with the technical knowledge to protect supply chains, safeguard livelihoods, and maintain operations during natural calamities.
Ocaña further explained that preparation must happen long before a hazard strikes because the tools and technologies needed to pinpoint local hazards, identify vulnerable populations, and anticipate critical risks are already available.
“We have platforms like GeoRiskPH and HazardHunterPH, developed by the DOST-PHIVOLCS, to provide critical hazard and risk information. We are actively conducting training across all provinces here in Region VIII so stakeholders can maximize these tools. Beyond risk assessment, we also deploy technologies for early warning systems, emergency communications, smart agriculture, and other vital community needs,” Ocaña detailed.
DOST-PHIVOLCS, short for DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, is a DOST-attached agency primarily tasked with volcano monitoring, earthquake tracking, tsunami warning, and other geohazards monitoring and warning initiatives in the country.
The three-day event which will be held at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte in partnership with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte Inc., opens with the Harampang Kita plenary, highlighting grassroots disaster risk reduction stories and collaborative community solutions.
The second day will progress into plenary sessions on science, risk, and inclusive planning, and technology pitching showcasing DOST innovations in risk forecasting, digital readiness, structural resilience, and radiation safety, and concludes with a dedicated business conference on the third day featuring keynote speaker Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV alongside programs focused on crisis-ready communities, business competitiveness, advancing innovation, promoting inclusive growth, partner recognition awards, and the official turnover to the 2027 Handa Pilipinas host for Visayas, the DOST Central Visayas.
HANDA Pilipinas is a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Science and Technology designed to showcase science, technology, and innovation solutions for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Its main goal is to strengthen local capacities and build safer, more resilient communities across the country.
Held annually in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the exposition addresses region-specific hazards through exhibits, training, and policy dialogues.
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