The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Calabarzon has announced the resumption of face-to-face Youth Excellence in Science (YES) Awarding ceremonies after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

In an interview on Thursday, Harley Margallo, YES event head at DOST-Calabarzon, said 203 “young scientists, engineers and mathematicians” would be awarded in-person across the region this year.

“DOST-Calabarzon brings back the awarding face-to-face so that we can show our support to the youth of Calabarzon for their efforts to win in international competitions,” she told the Philippine News Agency.

Since 2020, awarding rites have been carried out online in keeping with pandemic restrictions.

This year’s YES Awardees would be recognized in separate ceremonies in their respective Provincial Science and Technology Offices (PSTO) from March 7 to 22, with their families, teachers, supporters and community officials in attendance.

Margallo noted that the DOST Science Education Institute (SEI) recognizes exceptional elementary and high school students who won gold, silver, and bronze medals in international science and mathematics competitions in the previous year.

The National Capital Region (NCR) garnered 1,012 awardees while Calabarzon ranks second with 203– Batangas, 69; Laguna, 66; Cavite, 49; and Rizal, 19– of the total 2,114 awardees in the country.

The DOST recognizes young Filipinos for their achievements in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and its quest to advance STEM diversity, persistence, and success in the Philippines. (PNA)