(PAGASA 24-HOUR PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST as of Saturday, 19 July 2025) As of 3:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression “CRISING” was located at 530 km east of Juban, Sorsogon (13.0°N, 128.9°E). It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. It is moving west-northwest at 15 km/h. Tropical Depression Crising is currently affecting Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte, while the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) continues to affect the rest of Mindanao. Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms due to TD Crising. Flash floods or landslides are possible during moderate to at times heavy rainfall. Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and the rest of Caraga will have cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms caused by the Southwest Monsoon. The rest of Mindanao will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms, also due to the Southwest Monsoon. Winds will be moderate from the southwest to west, with moderate seas (wave height: 1.2 to 2.5 meters).


Thursday, 30 May 2024

DOST deploys STARBOOKS to 37 schools in Siargao Island

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Caraga, through its Provincial Science and Technology Office in Surigao del Norte, officially deployed its innovative Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS) technology to 37 schools across Siargao Island through a ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), including its turnover, and orientation held at the Department of Education Siargao Division Office in Dapa, Surigao del Norte.

The STARBOOKS is developed by DOST Science and Technology Information Institute as essentially self-contained kiosks packed with educational resources.

During orientation, Narciso M. Batingal Jr., science research specialist II of DOST Caraga,  provided a comprehensive orientation on how to utilize this  innovative learning tool.    

He said that with STARBOOKS, teachers and students gain access to a wealth of information, including digital learning modules that cater to various science subjects, interactive exercises to reinforce classroom learning, captivating multimedia content to spark students' curiosity, and more.

Meanwhile, DOST Surigao del Norte Provincial Director Mariel P. Makinano said that the deployment of STARBOOKS signified a significant step towards boosting science, technology, and innovation (STI) education in Siargao Island schools. 

"By equipping institutions with these tech-driven learning aids, DOST aims to empower teachers with new methods of instruction and provide students with a more engaging and interactive learning experience.  The future of science education in Siargao is definitely looking bright," said Makinano. 

Indeed with STARBOOKS, the island of Siargao which is known for its idyllic beaches and surfing haven got a dose of science and technology power in its school classrooms.(DOST-SDN/PIA-Surigao del Norte)