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.
