Bacolod City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental is looking forward to joining international competitions for the Battle of Bots Robotic Challenge, as a third event officially opened at the Negros Residences Function Hall in Bacolod City.
Eighty elementary and high school students from various schools in the province participated in the robotics competition, spearheaded by the Negros Occ. Language and IT Center (NOLITC).
“This is one program we will continue to support. Negros Occidental is ready to compete [at] international level. We hope to reach that level,” Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said.
The program started during the pandemic, after the Robotics Hub was launched in 2019, in partnership with Pinoy Robot Games (PRG).
The participants, who are winners from district competitions in the cities of San Carlos and Bago, will compete in Sumobot (Elementary and High School Categories) and Line Tracing (Elementary and High School Categories).
Lacson, who assured participants of the Capitol’s continued support, said the objective of the Battle of Bots is to join national competitions.
“We will look forward to joining international events,” he added.
When the Robotics Hub was launched three years ago, Lacson recalled that the province envisioned having a learning space for students to learn, create, and innovate, and that the students and teachers gradually grew their interest in the field of robotics.
“This competition is about perseverance and dedication, so take pride in the hard work you have put into creating your codes to make your robots move and finish the race,” the governor said.
Dr. Ma. Christina Orbecido, administrator of the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (NOLITC), said the event is on its third year, stalled only by the pandemic, when it was held online only. Last year, we sent winners of the 2nd edition to the national competition, she said.
“The potential of the kids who are joining the event is already showing,” according to Orbecido.
She added that they are targeting to send winners to venues abroad, with international competitions being held in Japan, Brazil, and Australia.
Orbecido also encouraged students to choose robotics as their subject in school.
“They can use robotics to solve problems they see in their communities,” Orbecido pointed out. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
