From right: Dr. Yasmin P. Tirol (Project Leader), Nonilo Peña of DOST-PCIEERD, Dr. Danilo Abayon ofFrom right: Dr. Yasmin P. Tirol (Project Leader), Nonilo Peña of DOST-PCIEERD, Dr. Danilo Abayon ofAklan State University, Atty. Shimonette Francisco New Washington Mayor, Florencio Miraflores AklanGovernor, Engr. Rowen Gelonga of DOST VI, Engr. Romeo Almuan of MARINA Region 6, and Mr.Edilberto Macahilig (representative of Hon. Carlito Marquez).

 

NEW WASHINGTON, AKLAN -- The Philippine maritime industry rides into a new wave of innovation as construction of the country’s first hybrid trimaran begins.

Officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Aklan State University (ASU), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), local government officials of Aklan, and Metallica Shipyard marked the beginning of the build of this innovative transport as they placed the framework of the hull of the vessel on the riverbed of New Washington.

DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Deputy Executive Director Engr. Raul Sabularse expressed optimism that the commencement of the build will be the spark to transform the maritime industry in the country.

“We are hopeful that the hybrid trimaran project will launch a new wave of innovations in the maritime industry,” he said.

Sabularse said the project also creates a new opportunity in studying alternative energy sources in the country as the trimaran will harness energy from the ocean to augment its energy requirements.

“Our search for new and viable alternative energy resources gets a boost with this ingenious endeavor,” he said.

 The workers and the people behind the production of the trimaran vessel.

DOST bankrolled the P76-million fund for the project which is implemented jointly by ASU, MARINA and Metallica Shipyard, MARINA and DOST Regional Office Number 6..

The passenger- cargo vessel, designed by Metallica Shipyard, owner Engr. Jonathan Salvador, is envisioned to carry 150 passengers, 4 vans, and 15 motorcycles.

The hybrid trimaran is designed to generate its own electrical supply from the waves it gathers from the outriggers of the craft.  Ocean waves will drive double action hydraulic pumps that will power a generator to produce which creates the electricity.

Salvador, the owner of Metallica Shipyard, explained that the more waves that the vessel encounters, more power will be produced.

“We see this technology to improve the vessel’s energy efficiency, making it not only cost-efficient, but also environment-friendly,” he said.

Salvador said the vessel will utilize multi-engine technology that prevents it from encountering total engine failure while at sea, minimizing maritime accidents. It will also be constructed with a specifically engineered design to address the possibility of capsizing, making it practically unsinkable and able to withstand harsh environments at sea.

Engr. Rowen Gelonga of DOST-6 highlighted the role of the Western Visayas in Maritime Transport. He also emphasized that the partnership between ASU and Metallica is the foundation for the project success.

 

 

 

We’re all in this together.  Secretaries from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Information and Communications Technology join hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding which outlines a five year roadmap in supporting technology startups in the Philippines.  From left to right: DOST Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara, DTI Undersecretary Nora Terrado, DTI Secretary Ramon Lopez, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. dela Peña, DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio, DICT Undersecretary John Henry Naga, and former DICT Undersecretary Monchito Ibrahim. 

In  a  bid  to  strengthen  government’s  support  to  technology  startups  in  the  Philippines,  the Department  of  Science  and  Technology,  Department  of  Information  and  Communications Technology, and Department of Trade and Industry forged an agreement that will synergize their assistance to the community for the next five years.

At  the  2nd  National  Technology Business  Incubation  Summit  held  in  Manila,  DOST  Secretary Fortunato T.  dela  Peña,  DICT  Acting  Secretary Eliseo  Rio,  and  DTI  Secretary Ramon  Lopez signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding  that  lays  the  ground  for  a  five-year  roadmap  for technology business incubation in the country.

Recognizing  the  different  efforts  of  DOST,  DTI,  and  DICT  to  nurture  technology  business incubators (TBIs) in the country, the MOU binds the three departments to harness their programs and projects in putting up a conducive business ecosystem for startups.

“The Parties commit to come up with projects, events, and/or endeavors by way of tie-ups, joint program activities, or cost matching to be reflected in their future MOAs to succeeding activities and events that will promote and assist Philippine startups,” the MOU read.

At present, DOST, DTI, and DICT implement a variety of programs for startups in the country. DICT, through the ICT Industry Development Bureau, implements the seedPH Program which aims to boost the ICT ecosystem in the countryside and advocate the promotion and development of  local  ICT  startup  businesses  throughout  the  country.  On  the  other  hand,  DTI,  through  the Startup  Ecosystem  Development,  provide  means  for  startups  to  scale  up  by  giving  them opportunities   to   participate   in   Outbound   Business   Missions   and   international   pitching competitions.

DOST, through the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), provides financial assistance to TBIs.  At present, DOST- PCIEERD  implements:  TBI  Establishment  Assistance -  a  program  for  HEIs  and  SUCs  in jumpstarting a TBI. The assistance mainly covers the first two (2) years of operation cost for the TBI; Higher Education Institution Readiness for Innovation and Technopreneurship (HEIRIT) – a preparatory  program  for  HEIs  and  SUCs  interested  in  establishing  a  TBI.  The  program  is implemented in partnership with UP NEC; and TBI 4.0 - which aims to enhance or elevate the capabilities of existing TBIs (e.g. from 1st gen to 2nd gen, 2nd gen to 3rd gen, etc.), co-develop programs with local and/or international accelerators, co-incubate with senior international or local partners, and to expand their reach to an international level.

DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Engr. Raul C. Sabularse expressed optimism for the TBI community with the signing of the MOU.

“The bonds we built today with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding among DTI, DICT, and DOST strengthens our resolve to be responsive to the industry’s needs.  We believe that TBIs provide a unique opportunity for economic growth in the country and its development and will mean better lives for our people,” he said.

DOST’s  TBI  Program,  spearheaded  by  DOST-PCIEERD,  aims  to  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, as well as technical facilities to get their business established.

Sabularse  said  that  DOST-PCIEERD  remains  unwavering  in  its  commitment  to  nurture  the technology  startup  industry  in  the  country  and  be  at  the  forefront  of  providing  a  conducive environment for it to flourish.

“We at DOST-PCIEERD will continue to listen to you and provide you a space to be heard and recognized. We believe that with all hands on deck, we can turn the gears of innovation and put forward the Startup Ecosystem in the Philippines,” he noted.

H-IIA F4 rocket at the Tanegashima Space Center, Kyushu, Japan (Photo from JAXA)

Diwata-2 Flight Model (Photo from PHL-Microsat)

The second Philippine microsatellite, DIWATA-2, is set to be launched into space on October 29, 2018 from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan via H-IIA F4 rocket.  Its flight model was handed over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) last August 30, 2018.

The development of the DIWATA-2 as well as DIWATA-1 was funded under the DOST Grants-in-Aid program titled, “Development of the Philippine Scientific Earth Observation Microsatellite (PHL-MICROSAT),” in collaboration with the University of the Philippines Diliman, DOST-ASTI and the Japanese partners from Kyushu Institute of Technology (KyuTech), Hokkaido and Tohoku Universities, with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) as the monitoring agency.  

Both microsatellites are capable of capturing images of the Earth for environmental assessment and for monitoring the country’s natural resources. Similar with its sibling microsatellite, Diwata-2 will also carry specialized cameras but more refined and improved, namely the Wide Field Camera (WFC), Middle Field Camera (MFC), High Precision Telescope (HPT) and Spaceborne Multispectral Imager (SMI) with Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter (LCTF).

 

Figure 1

Figure 2

Solar Array Panel Deployment Test of Diwata-2 Flight Model (Figure 1) and Diwata-2 Flight Model in Vibration Test Platform (Figure 2)

(Photos from PHL-Microsat)

Diwata-2 brings total improvement from its predecessor. It will orbit at a higher altitude more than 600 kilometers above the Earth level compared to Diwata-1 which only orbits at 400 kilometers. With this, its orbit will be “sun synchronous” which will enable fixed revisit intervals, allowing repeated environmental monitoring in specific areas. Moreover, Diwata-2 is 5 kilograms heavier than its sibling satellite, thus weighing approximately 58 kilograms.

Major features of Diwata-2 are two locally-made experimental modules as follows: Amateur Radio Unit for emergency communications and a Satellite Orientation Module for increased pointing accuracy and future satellite development initiatives. Other features include deployable solar panels for increased power generation output and an Enhance Resolution Camera (ERC) which increases the resolution of images taken by Spaceborne Multispectral Imager (SMI).

 

With these more refined instruments carried by Diwata-2, higher resolution images can be beamed down to the ground receiving station located at the DOST’s Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) in Quezon City. This can also further spark the country’s continuous efforts for the attainment of space technology undertakings towards the establishment of the Philippine Space Agency.

Another significant milestone of the PHL-MICROSAT program to look forward to is the completion of the country’s first ever microsatellite laboratory located at the University of the Philippines Diliman called “University Laboratory for Small Satellites and Space Engineering Systems (ULyS3ES),” which is targeted to be inaugurated before the end of 2018.

A launch viewing through live stream is being organized by the PHL-MICROSAT team on October 29, 2018 from 11:00am to 1:00pm. Everyone is enjoined to watch another momentous event as the country’s second “Diwata ng Kalawakan” sets into space. Further details will be announced through the PHL-Microsat Facebook account at https://www.facebook.com/PHLMicrosat/.

Likewise, JAXA will also have a live stream of the rocket launch in its Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/jaxachannel.

It is the Filipinos’ joy and pride as we again go to space but this time higher and better.