UPLB's HormoGroe^TM

Good news for Filipino farmers and plant lovers - a new, chemical-free plant product that stimulates root growth will soon be available in the market!

Scientifically proven and tested, HormoGroe^TM, an innovative root growth enhancer, can speed up seed germination, induce rooting, enhance shoot growth and flowering in plantation crops, high value ornamentals, fruit trees and vegetables.

Researchers from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) established MakilingTek, a spin-off company that caters to the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of HormoGroe^TM, through the Funding Assistance for Spin-Off and Translation of Research for Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) Program of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

HormoGroe^TM is made up of naturally occurring microorganisms that are nano-encapsulated to increase its utilization rate and reduce impact of environmental risks.

Project leader Dr. Lilia M. Fernando stressed that this nano-formulated plant growth regulator is cost-effective and environment-friendly.

“Unlike other products available in the market, HormoGroe^TM is not synthetic. It is naturally produced by bacteria and is nano-formulated,” she said.

Meanwhile, PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit expressed optimism that HormoGroe^TM can increase production of good quality crops.

“As leader and partner of innovation, DOST-PCIEERD remains committed in delivering excellence to Filipino people through technologies that  foster vibrant production, food safety while ensuring care for the environment.Making HormoGroe^TM available and accessible to Filipino growers will enable them to contribute to food production in a sustainable manner.,” he noted.

This plant stimulant yielded a positive result after being tested in coffee, cassava, banana, vegetables and some ornamental plants such as gumamela and bougainvillea. The team revealed that HormoGroe^TM will become commercially available by 2021 and it will be initially introduced and sold to farmer cooperatives and plantations as well as to retail stores through distribution channels.

The project team currently needs potential investors and partners for product distribution and testing to other crops. For inquiries, please contact project leader Dr. Lilia M. Fernando at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +6349.536.1620.

 

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) on Friday launched web and mobile mathematics apps to aid Filipino students better adapt to online and blended education in the new normal.

The Mathplus apps, introduced during ADMU-School of Science and Engineering’s webinar series titled “Senso Eskwela Pilipinas at Iba pa,” are free, run on moderate system requirements in laptops, tablets or cellphones, and are now readily available for teachers and students.

These apps are research-based, aligned with the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) of the official Grade 1-11 Mathematics Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) and are designed to promote mathematical reasoning and visual thinking so that Filipino children can learn to think by and for themselves.

The Mathplus Resources team consisting of ADMU mathematicians, mathematics educators, and software developers headed by Dr. Ma. Louise Antonette N. De Las Peñas, a Professor at the Department of Mathematics and the associate dean for Research and Creative Work of Loyola Schools initially developed these apps to create a digital mathematics learning environment where Filipino students can learn mathematics, and think by and for themselves in solving mathematical problems which evidently became an essential aid to learning in response to the unprecedented urgent need for educational adaptations in the Philippines driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

De Las Peñas’ team accomplished this through the project “Technology Innovations for Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Thinking and Assessment" funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

“We are confident that this project can help students to manage their own learning, monitor their progress, think creatively and critically, and solve real-life problems. With that, no one will be left behind as students from isolated community will also have access to these learning resources,” said DOST-PCIEERD executive director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.

During the webinar, ADMU officially sealed their collaboration with DepEd schools' divisions in Mandaluyong and Marikina through a memorandum of understanding (MOU). 

For any concerns/inquiries, you may reach Raissa Ancheta at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0915-3044422.

 

Nine student groups from different parts of the country bagged research grants up to P800,000 each as the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) announces its winners of the Young Innovators’ Program.

In a virtual ceremony, DOST-PCIEERD inked contracts with the students and their mentors for the grant which covers the laboratory expenses, testing consumables, and honorarium for the teachers and students.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit expressed optimism over the future of the Philippines’ scientific community with new and budding scientists taking on the challenge of conducting research and development despite of the current pandemic.

“As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we will continue in the pursuit of fresh talents and support their endeavors to pursue research and development in the country.  We hope that this research grant will be entice them to get into careers in research and development in the country,” he said. “

Paringit added: “We express admiration for the young researchers on their determination to take on challenges to conduct research and development projects that offer solutions. They will serve as our brights spots for the future of science and technology in our country. They will serve as an inspiration for younger generations to follow. These YIPs also are the source of pride for their respective institutions.”

These are the nine YIP awardees, the title of their research projects, the academic institutions they represent, and the names of the members and mentors:

1. SPHERE: An Ultra-wideband Technology-based Innovation for Search and Rescue Operations in the Philippines

School: Mapua University

This project will utilize ultra-wide band (UWB) technology that can detect heart rate regardless of the type of wall blocking the victim. It comes with a remote control and added features vital for the search and rescue operations like Global Positioning System

(GPS) to pin the exact location of victims, built-in lights to better see the situation underground, camera that has a night vision, and a speaker for the controller to speak with the victims underneath the debris.

Team Members: Ma. Cathyrine Ravina, Denisse Joy Dayao, Janela Zambrano

Mentor:   Engr. Marvin Noroa

2. Fungal chitosan-based Microbeads: A Heavy Metal Soil-based Biobsorbent

School: Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa

The main objective of this study is to innovate fungal chitosan-based microbeads into heavy metal soil-based biobsorbent. These students will collect five (5) fungal samples to isolate and cultivate fungal samples in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) extract chitosan using the fungal isolates, and eventually investigate the biosorption capabilities and percentage efficiency of the extracted chitosan in copper, chromium and arsenic. Once the fungal chitosan microbeads are made, they will continue to test and optimize biosorption capabilities and % efficiency of the produced fungal chitosan microbeads in copper, chromium and arsenic.

Team Members: Irah Faye B. Garzon, Raven Elyze E. Laurella, and Ghimel P. Espinosa

Mentor: Dr. Lourdes V. Alvarez

3. iTrashBin (Intelligent Trash Bin) Internet-of-Things Trash Bin for Quarantine and Isolation Facilities

School: Navotas National Science High School

The idea of this project is to create a robot designed to collect the waste products of COVID-19 patients and suspected ones. At the same time, to disinfect the waste products on the process. In order to do these, the researcher will adapt the system of Internet-of-things (IOT) in which the device will use the internet as a way of transferring data through a smart phone to control the robot.

Team Member: John Emmanuel Javines

Mentor: Mr. Don King O. Evangelista

4. Shock Electrodialysis Apparatus (S.E.A.)

School: Philippine Science High School - Main Campus

The S.E.A Project aims to provide users with clean, more accessible freshwater through shockwave electrodialysis without the need to exert much effort. This significantly lessens the impact of water scarcity and saltwater intrusion in coastal/brackish water communities and provides new innovations for the market that can be patentable and accessible to most customers.

Team Members: Paris Miguel U. Bereber, John David F. Magnaye, Davis Nicholo A. Magpantay

Mentor: Engr. Boon Kristoffer P. Lauw

5. PROJECT LINGAP LANGHAP: A Low-cost 3D Printed Air Purifier System using Activated Carbon Biomass Filter and Philippine Bamboo Exterior

School: Philippine Science High School - Central Luzon Campus

Project LINGAP LANGHAP will develop a low-cost indoor air purifier using activated carbon biomass filter that is designed to have aesthetically pleasing exterior using Philippine bamboo. The team will conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) and validation testing among target-users and experts.

Team Members: Carlos Jerard Dela Cruz, Jan Paolo Pineda, and Maria Michaela Tumonong

Mentor: Mr. Joel T. Bautista

6. Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Using Electrode Processed from Kaong Waste Product

School: Cavite State University

This project from the students of the Cavite State University will create a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell that will be developed using sugar palm or Kaong waste product. The Kaong tree is abundant in upland Cavite. The project can develop an energy storage device that can generate a maximum potential of 1.2V.

Team Members: Alexis Anne C. Bonus, Renz John Kurt S. Reyes, and Vien Isabella R. Rom

Mentor: Ms. Sheryl D. Fenol

7. Hg and Pb Detection Kit Utilizing D-Limonene from Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Peelings

School: University of Mindanao – Main Campus

The study will make an easy and efficient Hg and Pb detection kit to synthesize D-limonene from orange peelings and test its efficacy for Hg and Pb detection from water sources near mining areas. The team will fabricate the detection kits to be easily used by any person, especially those in resource-limited communities near mining areas.

Team Member: Steph Kier S. Ponteras

Mentor: Dr. Chosel P. Lawagon

8. Landfill Bioremediation through Biodegradative activities of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) to High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

School: Angeles University Foundation Integrated School

The project primarily aims to determine a more ecological approach in addressing plastic garbage issues with the investigation of biodegradative activities of Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster mushroom) on High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), and Oxo-biodegradable plastics.

Team Members: Nikka C. Banez, Princess Angelica S. Besonia, Kyla Carmina F. Consul, Jules Hyacinth B. Macasaet, and Ma. Angelica D. Gomez

Mentor: Dr. Analiza J. Molina and Mr. Emmanuel Carbungco

9. Synthesis of nanocellulose from durian rinds for the preparation of a self-healing smart concrete with augmented mechanical properties

School: University of Mindanao – Main Campus

The project team endeavors to develop self-healing smart concrete, specifically to reduce the occurrence of cracks in cement-based products, augment mechanical properties of reinforced cement, and synthesize nanocellulose and nanosilica from durian rind together with sodium silicate. The team will introduce a new approach in self-healing cement technology.

Team Member: Ivanbert Y. Damasco

Mentor: Dr. Chosel P. Lawagon

This is the fourth time that DOST-PCIEERD will be providing grants to students with researches that are aligned to the sectors that are under its care.

Established in 2017, YIP recognizes promising researchers under the age of 25. DOST-PCIEERD has received a total of 233 applications in the past three years. It has supported 20 teams consisting of senior high school, undergraduate, and graduate students into realizing their contributions to the scientific community.

This year’s YIP, nine awardees came from 95 teams who submitted their research proposals last June 15, 2020. 

 

If you have any concerns/inquiries, you may reach Raissa Ancheta at 0915-304-4422 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

In a bid to expand the reach of its Grants In-Aid (GIA) Program for research and development (R&D), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) renewed its partnership with Elsevier, the world’s largest scientific publisher of peer-reviewed journals and articles.

Through the DOST - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), DOST revitalized its subscription to the scientific publishing giant’s online journals, citation index database, and capacity building of researchers on authorship to scientific journals.

DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said that this initiative of DOST is in line with its campaign “R&D – Making Change Happen” as it allows access of researchers to more than 3,000 journals and 25 million research articles across 26 subject areas and citation index database with over 5, 000 publishers and about 76 million articles.

“It is our hope that by providing access to these scientific journals, we enrich the knowledge base of our researchers and see the current trends in research and development around the world.  We believe that this subscription will entice more researches in the Philippines,” she said.

Dr Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD underscored the importance of comprehensive scientific literature in the innovation ecosystem. “Greater access to high-quality scientific literature will enable our scientists to gain higher confidence as they undergo the different stages of research and development – from the preparation of proposals, formulation of the reliable methodology, all the way to publication of scholarly articles. Ascribing to peer-reviewed sources therefore not only advances the field of study but also contribute to the country’s scientific productivity”.

Topping the list of DOST’s most searched subject areas are agricultural and biological sciences, engineering, materials, health, environment, social sciences, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.  

This access is open to all personnel of the 35 DOST attached agencies, project leaders of DOST and its Councils’ funded researches, including higher education institutions (HEIs) in the regions that previously did not have access to these scientific journals/articles.

For this year, 10 universities from 10 regions that actively used the CY2018 subscription to Elsevier and with the highest number of DOST Grants In-Aid supported projects, were given IP-based subscriptions, as an incentive.

To date, about 200 universities including a few secondary schools and regional government agencies nationwide benefitted in this partnership.

The access to the said journals/articles and citation index database was also a big help to DOST in identifying priority research areas, exploring possible research initiatives, and in the evaluation of proposals submitted for DOST/Council GIA funding. 

Elsevier reported that since the start of their partnership with DOST in 2018, the Philippines posted an average increase of 10.4% year-on-year published articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals.    

From 2017-2020 the Philippines’ research output also reached an average of 4,358 articles per year which in the year 2019 posted the highest research output in a single year at 5,614 research publications produced. 

More so, the quality of these articles is 15% above the global average with reference to its CiteScore metric, which is about an average of 4 citations per publication. It was further reported that 42% of these articles were conducted in collaboration with international research institutions.

In this year’s call for proposals from April to June, DOST received a total of 961 proposals for the 4 Councils (90 for NRCP, 204 for PCHRD, 526 for PCIEERD, and 141 for PCAARRD); among these are 66 proposals for Science for Change Program (28 CRADLEs, 38 NICERs).  The total budget for all these proposals is P11.1B, with P7.2B in 2021.  In 2016, only 85 institutions were funded by DOST. In this call for proposals, there were 181 institutions that submitted proposals. This is 110% increase in number of institutions that are doing R&D in the country.  

Recently, the Global Innovation Index (GII) ranking was announced where the Philippines ranked 50^th among 131 economies.  This is a big leap from the 73^rd ranking in 2017, a year before the partnership was inked.  The number and quality of research outputs contribute and stir a country’s innovations.  The GII is a measure of a country’s performance in fostering innovation.  This ranking is based on a number of indicators such as R&D investments, international patent and trademark applications, including the more recent indicators such as mobile-phone application creation and high-tech exports.

Undersecretary Guevara wishes that all HEIs in the country would have access to electronic scientific journal resource. It is her hope that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) will consider investing on this resource to level the R&D playing field for HEIs in the country.

 

 

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is allocating P60 million to support research initiatives that will enable the Philippines grapple the effects of COVID-19.

Spearheaded by the DOST Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, the project “Science and Technology for a Resilient Community against the Pandemic” or STRAP Block Grant is the department’s response to help Filipinos combat the pandemic and adapt to the new normal.

Projects that will be funded in this program should fall under these priority areas:

1. Work from home tools

           These are tools for efficient communication, collaboration, focus, learning new skills, resources for working, managing stress, and the like.

2. Workplace ergonomics

           Workplace re-design and managing movement could be studied and simulated to ensure social distancing during the new normal.

3. Safe mobility and transport – air, sea, and land

           Digitization and connectivity will be a crucial key to enabling a seamless mobility and transport during the new normal.

4. Response and coping up with the new normal

           Some of the ways to help cope with the new normal phase include the delivery services, digital contactless payments, virtual learning, 3D printing, drones, among others.

5. Testing and calibration of locally developed medical devices

           DOST-PCIEERD supported the design and development of ventilator prototypes to be simulated and tested in cooperation with the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) and FDA-accredited testing body. This program will provide testing facilities and additional support needed by local developers to have their prototypes tested, accredited, clinically tested for multiple production for deployment to its partner hospitals and institutions. This is not limited to ventilators but can be extended to other medical devices (e.g. respirators, thermal scanners, etc.)

6. Geospatial and ICT Solutions to address COVID-19

           The most recent challenge lies on establishing a safer, more connected new normal related to governance challenges that opens opportunities for scientific geospatial solutions provided by DOST. This include educational tools, artificial intelligence, mobile apps and devices, among others to address COVID-19 crisis.  

7. New devices and products

           The program shall help ensure that individuals, patients and health care providers have timely and continued access to high-quality medical devices including masks, face shields, gowns, gloves, and electronic wearables to respond effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic.

8. Protective coatings for Surfaces and PPEs

           Nano-based coatings for surfaces and PPEs can help prevent the spread and infection of the corona virus. When the virus touches the surface, nano-based coatings will automatically neutralize the virus. It will also allow the reusability of the PPEs while also addressing the lack of adequate number of PPEs for our frontliners.

9. Detection and disinfection technologies

           Ultraviolet LEDs are currently being considered as an effective means of detecting, disinfecting and neutralizing coronavirus from surfaces and, potentially, air and water. As a technology, UV Light disinfection has been used for a while and can still be further explored or developed.

10. Emergency food for COVID-19 affected families, communities, and frontliners

           In the past, there are emergency food deployed for areas and communities affected by natural calamities. This time, more food options will be developed to cater to the needs of affected families, communities, and frontliners that have longer shelf life, safe and ready-to-eat.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director and STRAP project leader Dr. Enrico C. Paringit expressed hope that the research outputs from the endeavor will help Filipino communities to thrive and get back on its feet.

“As a leader and partner in enabling innovations in the country amid the pandemic, we are optimistic that the outputs of the STRAP Block Grant will keep us buckled safely as we navigate the new normal,” he said.

Paringit avowed to continue supporting novel ideas and concepts that can provide solutions and opportunities for all Filipinos.

“We will be relentless in our pursuit of newer ways in finding our way out of this pandemic.  We believe in the ingenuity of our Filipino researchers and look forward to their ideas,” he said.