In line with the celebration of the BARMM foundation anniversary, the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD), represented by Project Development Officer I Mursidier A. Sajili, attended the Turn-Over Ceremony of the STARBOOKS and Processing Equipment and Production Areas hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) at the Office of the Chief Minister, Mega Tent, Bangsamoro Government Center, Cotabato City on January 20, 2021.

Beneficiaries of the turned over items were selected from the Special Geographic Area, Cotabato City, and the province of Maguindanao.

“The STARBOOKS turnover from the MOST to the recipient schools is a testament to the BARMM government’s continuing effort to uplift the Bangsamoro people’s quality of life,” PDO Sajili said. “Kudos to the MOST for procuring these tools for the Bangsamoro.”

The program formally began with opening message from MOST Minister Engr. Aida M. Silongan, MAPD, followed by inspirational messages from Senior Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua; and, Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal, Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education, and ended with closing message from Bangsamoro Director General Nasrodin G. Buisan, RCh, Designate.

STARBOOKS is one of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST’s) strategies in making science and technology information accessible and available to citizens, especially those in the countryside. The package (computer set, software, and kiosk) is free for selected beneficiary institutions, Local Government Units (LGUs), schools, and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

The digital library “library-in-a-box” does not need internet connection in order to access the vast array of science and technology information, hundreds of thousands of titles of digitized journals, serial publications, reference materials, annual reports, theses, dissertations, science projects, livelihood videos and much more. All these can be availed of through STARBOOKS, a user-friendly, stand-alone digital library of science and technology materials in text, video, and audio formats.