Highlighting the role of science, technology, and innovation (STI) in driving inclusive growth, the Department of Science and Technology Ilocos Region (DOST Ilocos Region), through the leadership of Regional Director Teresita A. Tabaog, facilitated key dialogues on digital leadership and strategic opportunities during the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, held from September 29 to October 1, 2026, at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. The summit, organized by the Philippine Commission on Women with support from the Government of Canada, convened under the theme “2026: The Year of Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Prosperity in the ASEAN Region.”
Serving as Plenary Moderator for the session titled “She Leads, We Innovate: Women Shaping the Future of STEM,” Director Tabaog guided discussions from a digital perspective, advocating for a fundamental shift in how women engage with technology across the ASEAN region. Director Tabaog emphasized that women must transition from digital participation to digital leadership, where the goal extends beyond using technology to actively designing technology, owning startups, leading R&D, commercializing innovations, and making decisions within the innovation ecosystem. She added that combining science, entrepreneurship, and digitalization enables solutions to scale, underscoring that intentional technology transfer, mentorship, and strong connections among universities, government, investors, MSMEs, and communities drive inclusive growth.
Through its active participation in the international gathering, DOST Ilocos Region reinforced its dedicated involvement in advancing gender-responsive STI programs and regional development. By taking part in shaping ASEAN-level dialogue on women’s leadership, the agency continues to bridge grassroots science initiatives with high-level policy spaces, championing an ecosystem where women innovators and entrepreneurs across Ilocos Region and the country are equipped to lead, scale, and succeed.
Photo Credits: Philippine Commission on Women
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