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.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has taken the forefront in spurring innovation across the country as it leads the Innovative Startup Steering Committee, with members composed of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). 

“We at DOST recognize the crucial role we play in assessing, monitoring, developing, and expanding the Philippine Startup Development Program as mandated in the Innovation Startup Act,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. 

RA 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act enabled the development of the Philippine Startup Development Program where startups will be supported by the respective mandates of national government agencies through programs, benefits, and incentives starting from the onset of ideas, development of products, to marketing, and expansion. 

True to its mandate, DOST continues to bolster the innovation startup ecosystem across the country through the various programs initiated and supported.  

Solidum added that since the enactment of the Innovative Startup Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations in 2019, DOST have left an indelible mark on the landscape of Philippine startups. 

Under its three sectoral planning councils – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), initiated the Startup Grant Fund (SGF) Program that was able to provide PHP 230 million to more than 60 startups to overcome their R&D roadblocks, to strengthen their intellectual property (IP) by means of protection, and development of the appropriate IP strategies. 

Meanwhile, the Women Helping Women Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWISE) Program focuses on women-led enterprises promoting equity and inclusivity to women entrepreneurs. The program has helped 15 enterprises since 2021 with a total funding of PHP 53 million. 

Fostering collaboration with various higher education institutions and state universities and colleges, the Technology Business Incubation (TBI) program was developed to set up and capacitate TBI facilities at their institution. As of 2023, DOST established 54 TBI networks and is pursuing to add 27 new TBIs with a funding of PHP 400 million in the next two years.  

DOST also takes proactive efforts in reaching all 16 regions to accelerate the growth and strengthen the startup ecosystem across the country through the Regional Startup Enabler for Ecosystem Development (ReSEED) Program with a total funding of PHP 120 million. 

Moving forward, DOST commits to value and practice a strengthened collaboration among the members of the Innovative Startup Steering Committee to streamline a strategic plan of the committee for the next five (5) years and to harmonize their current programs for startup innovation of the country. DOST also hopes for an active participation of the private sectors in backing up startups and startup enablers for a healthy economic ecosystem, among others. 

Solidum also emphasized that “DOST, DICT, and DTI are here to support you, provide programs, resources, funding opportunities, and mentorship to help you [startups] thrive and succeed. 

Joining the Fireside Chat Forum, DOST Undersecretary for R&D Leah J. Buendia emphasized the importance of partnerships and diversification in molding startups to become global game changers : “For startup to position themselves as global game changers, they have develop a global vision and strategy, build a strong and diverse team, find international strategic partners, leverage technologies, and adapt to international markets and cultures.”

The Philippines is also conducting the 2023 Philippine Startup Week from November 20 to 24 – with the theme, “Investing in Filipino Homegrown Heroes as Global Game Changers,” – highlighting and showcasing the Philippine startup ecosystem.  

Digos City, Davao del Sur – The Department of Science and Technology and the University of Mindanao officially launched an application that can help local government units in monitoring beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.  

Dubbed “Project e4PsMap", the project developed a data analytics-driven application that conducts maternal and neonatal outcomes monitoring, visualization, and dashboard system for the City of Digos to enable the local government monitoring the success and compliance rates of the program’s intervention to its beneficiaries. 

Funded by the DOST – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), UM also trained community social workers in terms of data updating, warehousing, verification, and analysis.  

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit congratulated the team of researchers who produced the application and expressed hope that it can translate to helping the beneficiaries of the 4Ps.  

“The e4PsMap System speaks to the very essence of our commitment to good governance. It addresses a critical need for our Local Government Unit of Digos City, enabling us to understand, with precision, whether our social interventions are truly attaining their desired goals. Through this platform, we bridge the gap between data and decision-making, ensuring that no household, no individual is left behind in the quest for progress,” Paringit said.  

The e4PsMap will provide regular analysis of trends, and accomplishment of targets, and inclusion of analysis in the reports of city social welfare and development office to the Office of the City Mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod for their information and disposition.  

The e4PsMap System was funded by DOST-PCIEERD under the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) program. This program is intended to provide support local government units (LGUs) and national government agencies (NGA), through their regional offices, in planning, programming, policymaking, and delivery of goods and services through development of data science and analytics-related projects and applications.