The Ilocos Region Science Centrum will cater to students from all over the region and other northern provinces to enhance their skills in science and technology (S&T) and expand their exposure to the world of science.
Alabastro said the science centrum would promote the "S&T culture" and prompt local folk to solve their problems based on facts and not on superstitious beliefs.
The science centrum features technologies, studies and uses of gravity, light, sounds, magnetism and communications, among other wonders of science.
It also aims to upgrade the teaching of science in the elementary and high school levels. "Some elementary and high school teachers do not have the proper knowledge with regards to science teaching, so this is very important for them," said engineer Nelson Beniabon, chief science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Various modern equipment and inventions are installed inside the science centrum, such as video phones, anti-gravity mirror, radiometer, laser display, symmetroscope, colored shadows, Jacob’s ladder, laser parts and Bernoulli blower.
After the turnover, the city government, led by Mayor Mary Jane Ortega, will take charge of additional improvements and other added attractions.
"This is a big help in educating our children as well as teachers who will be coming here to learn about science and technology," Ortega said.
The project was a joint venture of the DOST, who provided P1 million worth of facilities, the city and provincial governments of La Union, which each contributed P1 million, and Rep. Manuel Ortega, who gave P500,000 for other infrastructure development. Sen. Francis Pangilinan also allocated P1 million for additional facilities.
The science centrum is temporarily housed at the fourth floor of the Marcos building here. It will be transferred to its permanent location at the La Union Botanical Garden in Barangay Cadaclan after the building is finished next month.
Also present during the turnover were La Union Gov. Victor Ortega, DOST regional director Edgar Padilla and other local and DOST officials.