Wednesday, April 17, 2024–A Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Balik Scientist is developing plant-based, biodegradable packaging from waste materials.

Dr. Noel Peter Tan, a Medium-Term DOST Balik Scientist and head of the Center for Advanced New Materials, Engineering, and Emerging Technologies (CANMEET) in University of San Agustin (USA) in Iloilo, has extensive experience in Applied Chemistry, specifically in the field of nanotechnologies for more than 10 years. He leads CANMEET–the first material science and emerging technologies research center in Western Visayas. The research center houses two laboratories, the Smart Packaging Laboratory, and the Membranes Laboratory.

This project on biodegradable packaging was revealed during Dr. Tan’s Exit Report Presentation held in Iloilo City. Dr. Tan leads the research on Nano-enabled bioplastics from regenerated cellulose aimed at producing an alternative source of biodegradable bioplastic with an improved mechanical property suitable for packaging materials. While traditional plastic is made from petroleum-based raw materials, bioplastics are plastic materials produced from renewable sources.

“Contributions of Balik Scientists, like the work of Dr. Tan enriches the country through innovations geared towards solving national concerns like environmental protection and management,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia. “As a nanoscience and nanotechnology expert, we are confident that Dr. Tan has successfully led the development of an R&D active environment for the USA, particularly in the fields of nanoscience, nanotechnology, and chemical engineering.”

Baguio, City- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officially handed over a P17 million smart city project to Baguio City to help address environmental concerns tourist spots encounter on April 15, 2024.  

In a ceremony, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, and Monitoring of Indicators for Efficient Redevelopment and Value Assessment (MINERVA) project leader Academician Christopher Monterola handed over the outputs of the project to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.  

Project MINERVA aims to help the Baguio City Local Government’s smart city and urban rehabilitation projects by utilizing data science and artificial intelligence.  

With MINERVA, tourism influx and flow and traffic can be modeled.  Air quality and water supply and quality can be monitored and forecast models be provided to city planners and administrators.  

Using the decision support tools, Baguio will be in a better position to create targeted, data-driven programs and policies in key areas that will enhance the standard of living, means of sustenance, social cohesion, and health of its residents. 

Secretary Solidum stressed the difficulties that the nation's metropolitan centers like Baguio City face can be solved through science and technology and boost its potential for growth and development.  “In the heart of a smart and sustainable community are science, technology, and innovation. In recent years, Philippine cities, through the Local Government Units, with the active support of academia, national government agencies, non-government organizations, and industries, have made strides towards technological advancements, sustainability efforts, and overall livability. Project MINERVA represents a significant step forward in enhancing our country’s readiness. The project is also a testament to forging partnerships and collaboration between local government units and national agencies like Baguio City and DOST," he stated.  

Executive Director Paringit reaffirmed DOST's commitment to "smartifying" our communities during his presentation of the Smart Cities Roadmap.  "DOST plans to provide support through the establishment of command data service centers, human resource investments aimed at increasing digital literacy skills, and the creation of embedded or ladderized programs for future cities through 2026,” he said. "This is intended to establish a digitally equipped city utilizing smart technology, with the aid of the smart city roadmap, he added. 

Academician Monterola presented the project's outcomes including aggregating all sensor and tourism data down to the barangay level.  "A prediction model for monthly tourism demand using hotel data, a model that incorporates pedestrian data, and a prediction model for air quality and casualty analysis of air pollution dispersal by meteorological factors have all been established as a result of Project MINERVA," He emphasized.  "Part of the project outputs are the deployment of 500 GPS trackers, 80 Atmotube Pro or Air Quality Sensors (AQS), and six (6) mobile Water Quality Sensors (WQS). These devices have all been game changers as essential conduits for data collection required for the project, he explained. 

Mayor Magalong expressed enthusiasm in receiving Project MINERVA’s outputs which supports the city's objectives for a smart, sustainable, green, and livable city that can handle current and upcoming urban problems and take advantage of digital opportunities to improve urban quality of life.

From left to right: Dr. Nancy Bantog, DOST-CAR Regional Director; Dr. Marissa Liponhay, AIM Project Chief Technical Specialist; Academician Christopher Monterola, MINERVA Project Leader; Hon. Benjamin Magalong, Baguio City Mayor; Ms. Ida Tiongson, Opal Portfolio Investments Inc. President; Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr., DOST Secretary; Dr. Enrico Paringit, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director; Engr. Ramon N. Santos, DOST-PCIEERD Governing Council Private Sector Representative

Baguio City Mayor Magalong and DOST Secretary Solidum during the press conference

Ushering a new year on innovations, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) will fund 207 research projects in 2024.  

“This year, we are allotting P800 million into these research projects to help in advancing innovation in the Philippines,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said. These projects mainly focused on DOST’s four pillars, human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection and sustainability.  

With its capacity to digitally automate legal documents such as contracts, agreements, and credentials, the Supreme Court of the Philippines tapped Twala Inc., a funded startup of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST – PCIEERD) to digitize notarization in the Philippines.

Twala Inc., a next-generation document management startup company, uses blockchain technology in digitizing records and is the first of its kind in the Philippine market.

With P4.5 million fund from DOST-PCIEERD in 2022, Twala Inc. has made significant improvements in their blockchain technology enhancing the security of its digital ID mobile app for both iOS and Android, making it more reliable.

“Investing in digital technology is investing for the future. Twala streamlines the efficiency and security of managing our documents online” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said. “With Twala, we now have the capability of reducing our carbon footprint while improving the country’s ease of doing business,” he added.

The startup has also developed a new blockchain network which improves digital identity and document security.

Supreme Court’s consultation with Twala Inc. involved discussion on the understanding of global technology standards, best practices, emerging trends like blockchain, cryptography, digital signatures, and artificial intelligence.

The collaboration promises a more efficient and a more secure method of implementing the envisioned electronic notarization by the Supreme Court benefiting both private and public sectors. The regulation for e-notarization is said to be unveiled within the coming year according to Twala’s CEO, Engr. Jeffrey Reyes.

Twala Inc. also established partnership with the Philippine Senate to help them transition from paper-based to online document processes. Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., and Twala’s CEO Engr. Jeffrey Reyes e-signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last September.

Moreover, Twala Inc. have collaborated with various agencies such as DOST - Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), DOST - Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines (CIAP), under the DTI, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), and the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP).

Twala Inc. is said to expand its AI capabilities to complement their existing blockchain technology expertise.

“We will intensify outreach efforts, particularly targeting companies within regulated industries such as banking, finance, education, healthcare, insurance, real estate, and government,” said Reyes.

The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) is on the lookout for 10 new research and data science laboratories to spur innovation activities in the country in 2024.  

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit made the announcement as the Council opens its Call for Proposals for the Institution Development Program (IDP), Regional Research Institution (RRI), Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support Systems (GODDESS), and the Balik Saliksik program.  

For the Institution Development Program (IDP), DOST-PCIEERD intends to fund five new research centers at a maximum of P5 million per project for a total of P25 million.  

This funding support is open for the establishment and/or upgrading of research facilities/laboratories of academic and research institutions from member institutions of PCIEERD consortia. 

“We also invite aspiring researchers and institutions, spanning Higher Education Institutes, government RDIs, non-profit S&T networks, private sector, and other innovators, to apply in our Regional Research Institution program,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said. He added that the council has allocated a budget of P5 Million this year, supporting five RRI projects with a maximum grant of P1 Million each.  

Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) is also open for research grants with an allotted budget of P5 Million for the provision of funds for five GODDESS projects with a maximum grant of P1 Million. GODDESS welcomes researches that aim to develop technologies or systems using available data from institutions or collaborating partners such as Academic/Research Institutions, National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), or Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that provides solutions to the challenges in urban mobility, energy management, e-governance and citizen services, and smart systems.  

New Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) graduates are also encouraged to apply under Support for New PhD Researchers or Balik Saliksik Program. This grant is open to individuals who have obtained their PhD locally or abroad within the last three (3) years and whose specialization falls within the PCIEERD sectoral priority areas or the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda. There are four available slots under this program with a maximum grant of P2 Million each. 

All the applicants are required to submit proposals through the DOST e-Proposals portal at https://dpmis.dost.gov.ph before the closing date. Instructions for submission are also available on this site. Submission of the proposal is from January 29 to February 23, 2024, 5 PM.  

Paringit expressed hope that through these opportunities, new researchers will be able to hone their skills and contribute to the innovation landscape in the country.  (30)

“DOST is committed in discovering new talent and new fields that will put the Philippines at par with its global counterparts. As the Nexus of Innovation, we will continue to provide solutions and opportunities to our citizens and help them through science, technology, and innovation,” he said.