The Negros Occidental Provincial Robotics Competition dubbed the 3rd Battle of Bots 2023 officially opened at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Thursday, September 7, with most of the day one winners coming from Bago City.
The participants are the 80 winners from the district competitions that were held in San Carlos City and Bago City earlier, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said, adding that he would like to see Negrense students eventually competing internationally.
The robotics competition, spearheaded by the Negros Occidental Language and IT Center (NOLITC), started during the COVID -19 pandemic after the Robotics Hub was launched in 2019 in partnership with Pinoy Robot Games (PRG).
Lacson said that when the Robotics Hub was launched three years ago, the province envisioned having a learning space for students to learn, create, and innovate, and 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,” Lacson told the participants.
“We expect that in the coming years our students will be able build their own robots that will not only win in national competitions but more importantly be able to address pressing issues or challenges in our community,” he said.
Robotics and intelligent machines are the most important technologies of the 21st century, he said, pointing out that they play a major role in changing the way we live and many aspects of our lives. Today robotics is useful in many fields such as industrial production, manufacturing, and research and development, he said.
NOLITC Administrator Dr. Ma. Christina Orbecido said their plan is to send this year’s winners to compete at the national level.
The Negros students are ready for national and international competitions, she said.
“We’re also hoping the next year we will be able to send our winners to international competitions,” Orbecido said.
The day one winners of the Provincial Robotics Competition on Thursday came mostly from Bago City.
The Sumobot Elementary Competition winners were Joehan Bugna of the Bago City Elementary School – champion, Liam Drei Dedia of the Bago City Elementary School – first place, and Lourd Eugene Subrado of the Ramon Magsaysay Elementary School in San Carlos City – second place.
The High School Line Tracing winners were Hannah Francine Vingco – champion, Mhylls Anthony Reboton – first place and Kristine Roxanne Celiz – second place who are all from the Ramon Torres National High School in Bago City.
The Line Tracing Elementary and Sumobot High School competitions will be held Friday.
Also present at the opening program were Negros Occ. Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Pinoy Robot Games Founder Melvin Matulac, and Executive Assistant to the Governor Marie June Castro.*