THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology’s digital library program STARBOOKS bagged the Excellence in Government Communication Programs Award in the 18th Philippines Quill Awards.

Run by DOST’s Science and Technology Information Institute, STARBOOKS or Science and Technology Academic- and Research-Based Openly-Operated KioskS is the country’s first science and technology digital library.

“This is the first time DOST-STII competed in the Quill and this recognition represents further validation of the good work we have done in STARBOOKS even under extraordinary circumstances like the ongoing pandemic,” DOST-STII Director Richard Burgos said.

He added that the Philippine Quill Awards recognized the STARBOOKS’ impact in delivering knowledge on science, mathematics and technical fields directly to the people, especially to students in economically challenged schools and communities.

STARBOOKS bested more than 800 entries from public and private organizations.

All entries submitted to Quill were carefully reviewed and scrutinized by seasoned communication professionals from the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines — the organizing body of the Philippine Quill Awards.

This year’s award ceremonies, held virtually for the first time, underscored the power of communications to empower communities and encourage the Filipino people to rise and overcome the most pressing challenges today.