The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) ushered in a new era of scientific excellence and innovation as it signed 35 Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) with new researchers on October 5, 2023. 

Project leaders and representatives from 35 implementing agencies came together to formalize their commitment to driving progress through science, technology, and innovation. This collective showcases the country's dedication to advancing industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors. 

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit congratulated the new project leaders for taking on the challenge of making an impact in the country through science and technology.  

"We applaud our Filipino researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and their teams for conceptualizing these groundbreaking initiatives," DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit said. 

Furthermore, DOST-PCIEERD kicked off the annual Innovate Pinas event where 72 completed projects in 2023 will be presented.  

The Council also turned over the Charging in Minutes, or CharM, e-Charger to Megaworld. This groundbreaking charging technology was developed by a team of researchers from the University of the Philippines, Diliman. The Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute (UP EEEI) promises to reshape the electric vehicle landscape. 

CharM e-Charger revolutionizes charging times by reducing them from six hours to 30 minutes. This innovative solution ensures user safety and vehicle reliability during charging processes, marking a step towards sustainability and environmental consciousness in the transport industry. 

"With this momentous turnover of CharM e-chargers to Megaworld, we take another significant stride toward ensuring sustainability and environmental consciousness, particularly in the transport industry in the country," declared Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.

Batac, Ilocos – The creative industries and the business incubators of Region 1 have a promising future as the Department of Science and Technology and the Mariano Marcos State University launched the Bannuar Technology Business Incubator (TBI).

Under the auspices of the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the DOST-MMSU Bannuar TBI is another vital phase in the journey of spurring innovation and empowering creative manufacturing industry in the Ilocos Region. 

Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of DOST PCIEERD, expressed hope for the 57,989 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) of the region that can be helped by the Bannuar TBI.

“The Bannuar TBI comes on the heels of the upward trajectory of the creative industries.  We are looking at this facility as a germination pod for future technology-based creative startups and spinoffs,” he said.

Dr. Paringit emphasized Bannuar TBI's mission which links distinctive cultural legacy and genuine entrepreneurship. 

“We anticipate local partnerships between DOST, other government agencies, local incubators, and other players in the startup scene to be forged in the Bannuar TBI.  We hope that they find their North in the startup scene through this launch,” he added.

Amounting to P12.7 million, the TBI project also aims to provide resources and guidance to startups, including individuals with viable tech products.  Prof. Armie C. Sabugo, who is leading the Bannuar TBI project, stressed that the project will make use of the university's existing infrastructure, facilities, and tools to promote these local enterprises, particularly in the creative sectors.

"Some in the list are the looming weaving center of the College of Industrial Technology in Paoay Campus, which served as a location for several university-sponsored and collaborative trainings. It can also help the bamboo processing plant at the Crops Research Laboratory complex, which produces engineered kawayan (e-kawayan) goods. The University's Research and Development (R and D) Station and the Center for Innovative Materials in Emerging Applications (CIMEA), which will focus on the conduct of R and D activities toward material innovation using local sources, were also intended to benefit from and be served by it, shared by Prof. Sabugao.

The DOST-PCIEERD's Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship Program (HEIRIT) provided funding for the Bannuar TBI.

The HEIRIT Program was initiated to assist universities in meeting the Council's TBI financing requirements and to provide managers with the skills they need to operate TBIs connected with DOST efficiently. The growing need for early-stage entrepreneurial support, particularly in various locations across the Philippines, is something that HEIRIT aims to solve.

Bannuar TBI is one of the 47 TBIs that DOST-PCIEERD supports.

Sibalom, Antique—With the support of funding and the vision of expanding science, technology, and innovation, the Department of Science and Technology—Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and the University of Antique (UA) officially inaugurated on November 29, 2023, the first food research and development laboratory in the province.

Dubbed the UA Centralized Analytical Testing Laboratory (CATL), this 28-million-peso facility was designed to give Western Visayan students, teachers, and researchers access to cutting-edge tools, technical support, and laboratory services such as complete proximate nutrient analysis, microbiological analysis, shelf-life testing, sensory evaluation, and soil and water analyses.

Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of DOST-PCIEERD, fully supports the project, as it is the ninth facility to be launched in 2023 as part of the council's Institution Development Program (IDP).

"PCIEERD sees the establishment of CATL as a significant step that would reduce travel time, expedite result processing, and decrease the additional costs in their laboratory testing process," said Dr. Paringit.

"The council believes that this will be a crucial stride towards sustainable development, guaranteeing the economic and environmental sustainability of Antique and beyond," Dr. Paringit added. “It would strengthen our nation's scientific and technological capacities by encouraging creativity and cooperation among experts from all sectors and fields of study," he stressed.

Project Leader Jessebel V. Gadot, feels optimistic about the noteworthy outcomes, innovations, and goods that the lab will eventually produce. She underlined that "Karan-on Project" and "Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) Projects" will benefit from having a physical laboratory like the CATL.

"The CEST Project, with the help of DOST and UA, has successfully created five distinct Technohubs specializing in food innovations across its multiple campuses, as well as one external partner. These Technohubs are home to products based on seaweed in Caluya, fish-based products in Tibiao, rice and grain-based products in Sibalom, processed vegetables and root crops in San Remegio, and dairy products in Hamtic. Product samples from these technohubs will be sent to the laboratory for product and process standardization before being adopted by the food sector or commercialized by other stakeholders, she said.

Additionally, she also emphasized how the development of the lab will help strengthen the enforcement of food safety and quality laws in the region.

The UA CATL is one of the 54 facilities funded by the DOST PCIEERD IDP in the country in the last eight years.

To further strengthen the startup ecosystem of the country, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) invested P120 million, through the Regional Startup Enabler for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program, to support DOST PCIEERD-funded Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) in leading the establishment and formalization of startup ecosystem consortium in each region.  

The program aims to reach partners and innovators in the regions in the Philippines to actively participate in the action to bolster and produce startups that are fundable by investors, as well as the government.   

Consequently, the ReSEED program has successfully accelerated its first nine (9) consortium to the Growth Track as a part of the established ReSEED stages of development for a regional startup ecosystem. Growth Track supports a consortium to accelerate its growth through the establishment of a 5-year roadmap/strategic plan as well as providing it with access to necessary funding, networks, and capacity building of its members.  

The nine (9) Regional Consortium accelerated to the Growth Track are the following: 

 1. Technological Consortium for Awareness, Readiness and Advancement of Knowledge in Innovation – Cordillera Administrative Region (TARAKI-CAR) represented by the University of Cordilleras 

2. Strategic and Collaborative Alliance for Leveraging Ecosystem of Startups in the National Capital Region (SCALE-NCR) represented by Miriam College 

3. Synergistic, Innovative and Agile Cagayan Valley Consortium (SINAG-Cagayan Valley) represented by Cagayan State University 

4. Start-Up Ecosystem Leveraging on Opportunities and Network for Growth Consortium (SULONG-Central Luzon) represented by Bulacan State University 

5. Innovation Consortium South Luzon (ICONS-SOUTH LUZON) represented by the Batangas State University 

6. Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spinoff Development (UMWAD-Western Visayas) represented by the Iloilo Science and Technology University 

7. Development and Acceleration Support for Innovation Growth (DASIG-Central Visayas) Consortium represented by Silliman University 

8. Mindanao Startup Ecosystem Transformation Consortium (MINDSET-Northern Mindanao) represented by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines 

9. Innovation and Development Accelerators Consortium for Startups (IDEAS-Davao) represented by the University of the Philippines Mindanao 

Meanwhile, seven (7) new ReSEED consortium have been established to become one of DOST-PCIEERD Regional Startup Enablers Consortia members. These new members will be undertaking the Foundational Track to kickstart a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders working together to support the growth and success of startups in the region. 

The seven (7) Regional Consortium joining the Foundational Track are the following: 

1. Consortium for Sustainability, Innovation, Leadership, Access and Growth (SILLAG-Ilocos) represented by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office I 

2. MIMAROPA Ventures and Innovation Network (MVINET-Region IV-B) represented by the Department of Science and Technology – MIMAROPA Regional Office

 3. Bicol Consortium for Regional Startup Enablers (BiCoRSE-Region V) represented by Bicol University 

4. Unified Startups and Startup Enablers for Wealth-Creation, Acceleration and Growth (USWAG-Eastern Visayas) represented by Samar State University 

5. HERMOSA Zamboanga Peninsula represented by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office IX

6. Startup Innovation Consortium to Accelerate Development (SICAD SOCCSKARGEN) represented by the Department of Science and technology Regional Office XII 

7. Caraga Regional Innovation and Startup Ecosystem Development Consortium (RISED-CARAGA) represented by Caraga State University 

PCIEERD and the DOST-PCIEERD Regional Starup Enablers Consortia members sealed a memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize the partnership between parties, on November 21, 2023, in Iloilo City, in line with the celebration of the 2023 Philippine Startup Week.  

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit emphasized the need to strengthen regional startup ecosystems to uplift the Philippine economy.  

“The key to national development is regional empowerment.  Strengthening our startup ecosystems around the country will provide the second wind we need to soar high in the coming years,” he said.

Iloilo City – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Unified Movement for Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spin-off Development (UMWAD) Region VI hosted the 7th National Technology Business Incubator (TBI) Summit in the enchanting City of Love, Iloilo City, showcasing the government’s robust support for startups and startup enablers in the country. 

“DOST will never falter in providing a range of resources, services, and facilities needed during the development stage to help our technology-based startups navigate the challenges of the business landscape,” Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said.

DOST’s TBI Program aims to promote innovation and technopreneurship for the country’s socio-economic development in a knowledge-based world economy. It hosts startups and offers business development services, office space, and technical facilities to get their businesses established.

At present, the DOST TBI Network has 54 members, including 32 industry-based TBIs and 22 TBIs on agriculture and aquaculture that are located across the nation's higher education institutions and state universities and colleges.

The 7th TBI Summit featured panel sessions and group discussions covering topics such as success stories of homegrown startups that achieved global recognition and strategies for preparing local startups to become global game-changers.

DOST Assistant Secretary for Technology Transfer, Communications, and Commercialization Dr. Napoleon Juanillo Jr. emphasized the importance of sharing best practices in the startup ecosystem.

“Learning from the homegrown startups that went global is important because it allows us to understand the strategies and approaches that led to their success," Juanillo said. 

The Summit also marked the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the 16 Regional Startup Enablers Consortia and their partners through the Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program of DOST-PCIEERD.

The ReSEED Program aims to strengthen regional startup ecosystems by providing funding support to PCIEERD-funded TBIs to lead in establishing and formalizing a Regional Startup Ecosystem Consortium.

“We are confident that the ReSEED Program will provide invaluable resources to aspiring entrepreneurs in the region and put forward the Startup Ecosystem in the Philippines, driving economic growth and innovation,” said Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director. 

The 7th TBI Summit is part of the annual Philippine Startup Week. This week-long event brings together local startups, enterprises, investors, and budding entrepreneurs contributing to the flourishing Philippine startup ecosystem.