DOST, DTI, BOI hold 15th TID Updates featuring DOST’s innovation hubs and centers
June 17, 2016, Taguig City ̶ The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) led by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Board of Investments (BOI) hosted the 15th Trade and Industry Development Updates (TID Updates) focusing on DOST’s innovation hubs and centers.
TID Updates is a series of fora which is done to inform the public and the other stakeholders on the recent developments of the DTI-BOI’s Industry Development Program. TID Updates started last August 2013 where they focused on the chemical, mining, and manufacturing industries. For the 15th installment of the fora series, they featured the DOST’s Innovation hubs and centers.
DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services, Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara started the forum by discussing the importance and contribution of these innovation hubs to the different industries when it comes to employment and increasing the quality of the products. “These state-of-the-art facilities will enable industries to develop technologies and business models that will contribute to global competitiveness of industries and improve the country’s productivity”, she said.
DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technological Services Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara delivering her opening remarks
On his keynote address, DTI Secretary Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., agreed with Dr. Guevara. He emphasized that the industries are producing more jobs for the people.
DTI Secretary Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., delivers his keynote address to the delegates of the forum.
DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo, in his keynote speech, reminded everyone that the vision of DOST is to create innovations in an environment which attract investors. He also compared Philippines to other neighboring countries like Taiwan and China in terms of workers’ salary and cost of equipment in the industry. According to him, Philippines has the lowest salary among the three countries while spending a lot of money for the equipment.
DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo discussing DOST’s strategy to attract investors which is to create innovations and an innovative environment.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David, on the other hand, talked about the visioned impact of research and development in the country. He believed that R&D can help increase the country’s number of job opportunities. He also cited that studies abroad say that there will be an increase in market value when investing to R&D. Aside from this, he also introduced the innovations that are being developed in DOST. These technologies are of great help in improving the quality of the products of the different industries here in the Philippines particularly in food, textile, and electronics.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David introduced the different technologies that are being developed in DOST
Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano informed the delegates on the status of OneLab which is a One Stop Shop Laboratory Services for Global Competitiveness. OneLab is a project of DOST which aims to create a network for laboratories to prevent transporting the samples.
Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano updated the delegates on the status of OneLab
After the talks, the delegates were able to explore the DOST centers and facilities through a tour. They have visited the ITDI’s NanoLab, Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory (ADMATEL), Food Innovation Center, and Packaging Center, MIRDC’s Die and Mold Solution Center, PTRI’s Innovation Center for Yarns and Textiles, and the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC).
DOST-PCIEERD set up a booth during the event featuring Future Flavors. Future Flavors is a collection products of the technologies developed and funded by DOST. It showcases a variety of food products produced by the DOST Food Innovation Centers (FICs) from the different regions in the Philippines using DOST-developed food processing equipment – vacuum packaging machine, water retort, vacuum fryer, spray dryer, and freeze dryer. Noted advantages of food processing include greater food consistency, longer shelf life, removal of toxins, reduction of food borne diseases and cheaper food.
The event ended with an open forum where ask questions to the facility managers.
By: Charmaine Baisa, Jahn Patrice Rington and Ira Dominique Guerrero
