With the gradual decline of COVID-19 cases and nearing return to normal, the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) launched new innovations for this year’s Science and Innovation Budding Opportunities for Leverage (SIBOL) 2022.

DOST-PCIEERD is set to support 238 new projects this year with a total funding of more than PHP1.7 billion. At least 100 of these projects will be showcased this year.

Kicking off the first of 10 webinars, the first SIBOL on March 15, 2022 focused on health, governance, education and human security.

Filipino scientists and innovators presented these latest innovations in the field of nanotechnology, governance, education and human security:

• AeroComp: Enhanced Lightweight Fiber-reinforced Composites Structures for Defense Applications by Eduardo Magdaluyo of the University of the Philippines Diliman - Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. The project seeks to find a cost-effective alternative to ballistic protective materials used by the armed forces through the use of fiber-reinforced polymer.

• Development of Platform for Short Range, Heavy Payload, Multi-Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) by Engr. Arnaldo Gutierrez of Holy Angel University. The proposal aims to develop an unmanned aircraft system specializing in the transport of essential goods and supplies for emergency situations and in far flung areas.

• Development and Institutionalization of DOST Foresight Framework and Protocol by Mia Barbara Aranas of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST-PCAARRD). The project aims to institutionalize a foresight framework protocol that would monitor and strategize incoming trends in science and emerging technologies.

• Establishment of AI Research Center for Community Development (AIRCoDE) by Joseph Onate of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic College. AIRCoDE seeks to establish an artificial intelligence research laboratory where AI enthusiasts, faculty and students can study and research about deep learning, computer vision, etc.

• Establishment of Mindanao Natural (MinNa) Language Processing (LProc) Research and Development Laboratory by Kristine Mae Adlaon of the University of the Immaculate Conception. The proposed research facility aims to be the library of endangered languages in the Minaoan region. The project is centered on the production of ethnographies of indigenous peoples of the Philippines, whose’ languages are slowly dying out for fear of discrimination.

• Project AutoLABS: RFID-based Automated Equipment Borrowing and Management System with Mobile App Reservation for School Laboratories by Davie Jone Niverca of Adamson University. Project AutoLABS is an automated logistics management system designed for the school setting.

• Establishment of IoT Research Laboratory and Training Center by Engr. Mariciel Marcial-Teogangco of the University of the Perpetual Help System DALTA. The proposed research laboratory focuses on the Internet of Things which can provide the environment needed to simulate the implementation of IoT.

• Proposed Installation Of AGT In BPSU Main Campus (As Laboratory facility of the Proposed Railway Engineering Program and Existing Engineering Programs) by Nelson Andres of the Bataan Peninsula State University. The proposal aims to run and operate the DOST-donated AGT coaches inside the BPSU campus. The project will also serve as a laboratory for the proposed railway engineering program of the university.

“Let’s start the year by hitting the ground running and planting the seeds of innovation.  We hope that through the SIBOL launches, we can inspire researchers to hope for a brighter Philippines,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said.

SIBOL is the annual showcase of Filipino ingenuity and creativity in science and technology as they present their innovations thru a series of webinars hosted by DOST-PCIEERD. Last year, 11 SIBOL webinars were held, showcasing 149 research projects by our local scientists and researchers, and attended by 2,686 participants via Zoom.

To help boost businesses in the science and technology (S&T) sector, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will showcase innovations from Filipino tech start-ups, businesses, and its Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) in a business forum and matching event with investors from the Middle East on 15 March 2022 from 2:00 - 5:00 P.M. (PH Time) / 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. (UAE Time).

"As the Philippines is brimming with brilliant and talented scientists and researchers, it is just necessary for us to proudly introduce their innovations and link them up with international partners. Noting the great opportunity of science, technology, and innovation in the Middle East, we are glad to pursue synergies with them. The Department sees this event to leverage our assisted enterprises and create more impactful collaborations.” said Dr. Leah Buendia, DOST Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation.

The Department will feature ten (10) technologies focused on five strategic areas of cooperation such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Energy Management, Water Management, Smart City Development, and Textiles:

1. CROPITAL - A credit scoring model that directly interacts with farmers and localized data provided by the community/farmers to determine the weights of different attributes in farmer’s repayment.
2. AI for Water Management (AI4WM) - An enhanced forecasting model for complex water supply systems of the East Service Area of Metro Manila.
3. Intellex - A cloud-based data analytics platform for smart energy management and electricity cost reduction.
4. CHARM - A fast charging system that can fully charge electric tricycles in 30 minutes.
5. Vigormin - A wastewater treatment and odor-reducing formulation composed of naturally occurring organo-minerals that stimulate growth of indigenous aerobic microorganisms in wastewater and boost the degradation of organic pollutants.
6. RTAP - An advanced pressure management system that optimizes pump operation for a significant reduction in non-revenue water (water loss) and power consumption.
7. Axis Knee System - A total knee replacement system that is designed for a wide range of sizes.
8. USHER - A 24/7 economical and hassle-free system that allows building managers to objectively monitor the structural integrity of buildings and bridges
9. Yarn and Natural Dye Kits - Eco-friendly yarns and colorants derived from plant materials and produced using an industry-scalable technology of DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI).
10. Philippine Tropical Fabrics - a patented PTRI technology for the production of natural textile fiber-blended yarns using natural fibers like abaca, banana pseudostem and pineapple leaf.

These innovations were developed through the technical and financial assistance from DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI).

"PCIEERD, as the country’s leading government agency in spurring change through S&T, deems this event as a good platform to help DOST-supported researchers expand their horizons, collaborate with the international community, and spread the ingenuity of Filipinos,” said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit.

After the pitching activity, the presenters will participate in a business-to-business (B2B) matching with investors from the Middle East. Hopefully stakeholders will be able to forge partnerships that will strengthen each other’s businesses, and contribute to both countries’ thriving economy.

"We thank our friends from DTI and PTIC-Dubai for inviting and supporting DOST towards conducting this initiative. This event exemplifies our advocacy that technologies shared and used for the common good are catalysts of long-run growth,” said DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy Decena.

All interested parties who wish to attend the Forum may directly register through this link: www.bit.ly/DubaiExpoSnTForum.

The event is conducted on the sidelines of the Philippines’ participation to the 2020 World Expo hosted by Dubai, UAE - a global platform that champions innovation, technology, art, creativity, heritage, and culture to showcase human brilliance and excellence.

The Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) seeks to target P6.79 billion to fund a total of 304 research projects for 2024 aimed at leveraging the country’s economic progress and provide solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the 304 research projects, 204 will be funded through the PCIEERD Grants-in-Aid (GIA) worth P3.25 billion and 100 will be funded under the DOST Grants-in-Aid (GIA) worth P3.54 billion.

This covers 21 priority areas, namely: Energy; Construction; Utilities; Transportation; Food; Process; Mining and Minerals; Metals and Engineering; Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology; Optics and Photonics; Information and Communication Technologies; Electronics; Artificial Intelligence (AI); Space Technology Application; Convergence of Emerging Technologies/Industry 4.0 and Smarter Cities; Environment; Disaster Risk Reduction-Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA); Unmanned Vehicle System; Creative Industries (Game, Animation, and Film), Creative Industries; and Science Communication.

Researchers may submit their proposals from March 1 to 31, 2022 via the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS).  

“We encourage our researchers and innovators to answer our call. The pandemic has put almost everything at a standstill, thus the need to continuously make solutions through science-backed projects that would aid us to bounce back in the new normal,” Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director said.

Paringit added that this funding opportunity primarily encourages S&T collaboration and applied research among Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), government Research and Development Institutes (RDIs), and non-profit S&T networks and organizations seeking funding for their R&D/S&T initiatives.

The announcement for the approved proposals will be made on June 8, 2022.

Hello Online World!

Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology- Advanced Science and Technology Institute are bridging the digital divide for Filipinos in rural areas by connecting them to the online world.

Through the project Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal or Project REIINN, rural areas will be connected to the online world through community cellular networks (CCNs).

CCNs are community owned small-scale network infrastructure which provide local connectivity needs and are widely deployed around the world, providing connectivity to unserved, underserved and geographically challenging areas. It is becoming an emerging alternative solution in addressing the connectivity gap.

Project REIINN building upon the gains of the Village Base Station project which pioneered the deployment of CCNs in the Philippines. The VBTS project provided voice and SMS communication services using 2G GSM cellular technology in seven rural areas in the province of Aurora.

Project REIINN through LokaLTE.

The team will be conducting trial deployments of LokaLTE in two rural areas in the Philippines. This deployment will be the first LTE community network in the country and will allow researchers to study how LTE technology impacts service provision and subscriber behavior, among others.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit sees REINN as a significant step towards achieving connectivity within hard-to-reach areas such as provinces. He called on other agencies to support this initiative that intends to enhance these areas’ internet connectivity and bridging the digital divide.

“Project REIINN is a prime example of what innovation can do for the people and we will continue in supporting science-based solutions,” Paringit said.

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