LAPU-LAPU CITY, Philippines — The Provincial Government of Cebu, alongside the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Education (DepEd), distributed digital library equipment to select schools on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the Cebu Provincial Capitol.
The digital libraries are called STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS).
These serve as a digital repository of scientific journals, research materials, and educational content. Additionally, it features K-12 curriculum support materials, including ready-made quizzes, lesson guides, and instructional resources tailored to specific subjects.
The eight beneficiaries of the STARBOOKS from the Cebu province include the following:
- Badian National High School
- Minglanilla Science High School
- Buanoy National High School in Balamban
- Compostela National High School
- Medellin National Science and Technology School
- Bantayan Science High School
- San Remigio National High School
- Luciano B. Rama Memorial National High School
The STARBOOKS turnover held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol was led by Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro and attended by DepEd Cebu Province Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Senen Priscillo Paulin, DOST officials, as well as supervisors and principals of science high schools across the province.
DOST’s STARBOOKS
Launched back in 2011, DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute’s (DOST-STII) STARBOOKS program aims to alleviate the digital gap in education by providing access to thousands of science and technology resources.
The STARBOOKS contain digitized science and technology resources in text, audio, and video formats. Additionally, these resources can be accessed offline, making it easier for remote and low-connectivity areas to access them.
According to the program’s website, there are more than 8000 STARBOOKS deployed nationwide, which can be found in educational institutions, local government units, national government agencies, as well as non-government organizations and other private institutions.
Besides its offline version, STARBOOKS also has an online version and several mobile applications, such as the STARBOOKS Mobile App (for accessing the contents via Android phones), STARBOOKS Whiz App (a math and science quiz app), and STARBOOKS Finder App, which shows the STARBOOKS sites nationwide.