FOLLOWING the completion of DARIUS I Project, Customer-Focused DARIUS II is set to build a customer portal for the project proponents and cooperators and assist in building the DOST-wide project information database. DARIUS stands for Data Analytics-Ready Info Unified System for Agile Delivery of S&T Services. DOST-CALABARZON led the pre-implementation meeting attended by various representatives from each Regional Offices (ROs) last 24 February, 1:30PM via Zoom platform.
Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, OIC-Regional Director of DOST-CALABARZON, thanked the participants and sought their continuous support for the project, particularly in the database buildup. She also emphasized the importance of maximizing the project’s benefits, encouraging each region to give their honest inputs for the betterment of DARIUS’ web-based application platform, IMPRESSION or Information and Management of Projects, Services and S&T Interventions.
“No matter how good it is, kung hindi naman gagamitin ay useless ang investment,” Ms. Bagsit said, “Since customer-focused na rin ang DARIUS II, we should solicit [feedback] from would-be users who are MSMEs.”
According to Engr. Francisco Barquilla III, Project Leader of DARIUS II, he would like to dedicate this project to the late DOST Usec. Brenda Nazareth-Manzano.
“Through her initiative and directive, lahat ng regions ay nakapag-establish ng MIS (Management Information Systems) Units nila which pave the way to many ICT projects,” Engr. Barquilla stated. He also mentioned that DARIUS II ultimately aims to unify systems on project monitoring, and consequently help the DOST Central Office in building the DOST-wide project information database.
As the main resource speaker in the meeting, Engr. Barquilla introduced the project’s two main objectives which are to transform IMPRESSION from an internal operations system to a customer-centric information system that would improve the service delivery of the DOST Regional Offices.
“Kung sa DARIUS I, ang nailalagay lang natin ay mga approved projects; dito, ‘yung ating mga proposals [din] para malaman nila kung ano na ba ang status ng submission, ano ang mga requirements at ma-notify ang proponents at cooperators ng mga project updates,” Engr. Barquilla said, “Maa-allow rin natin ang ating customers na ma-view ang kanilang pertinent documents such as yung kanilang MOA, mga approved project proposals at lahat ng documents related to their project.” Aside from this, the project also aims to integrate IMPRESSION with the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS).
“Sa DPMIS kasi, ang covered noon ay ‘yung mga funded projects ng DOST Research Councils; hindi nako-cover ‘yung funded ng DOST Regional Offices,” he added, “Doon tayo papasok—iyong mga na-fund natin, most especially ‘yung SETUP and local GIA na projects po natin ang isasama natin.”
Engr. Barquilla also discussed DARIUS II’s target beneficiaries, customer features, data capture and systems integration, data analytics, budget distribution, workplan, and the roles of each DOST agency in the implementation. After the discussion, an open forum was also held in order to elicit feedback and clarify questions from each regional representative.
To close the program, Engr. Barquilla acknowledged everyone’s support and accomplishments despite the pandemic.
“I hope you continue to support DARIUS II katulad ng pagsuporta po ninyo sa DARIUS I,” he stated, “Para po sa customers, para po sa ahensya, at para po sa bayan.”| – Halyn Lunel A. Gamboa/dost/bnn
