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The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) earmarked a P4.7-million grant to support a wellness company that curates healthy lifestyles for employees.  

Startup Splore Innovations Group, Inc. (Splore), headed by Alby Litton and Franz Brillantes, will receive funding from DOST-PCIEERD to help in scaling their operations nationwide and advancing their technology.  

Splore is a wellness company that builds, manages, and delivers curated employee wellness programs backed by company employee profiles and trends. 

Through the grant fund, Splore intends to design and test wellness programs for companies that would like to help their employees keep a healthy work-life balance.  

“Mr. Alby Litton, the president and CEO of Splore Fitness, a startup that assists companies in effectively engaging their employees by delivering a meticulously curated program that enhances the overall health and morale of the workforce. Their end-to-end solutions alleviate HR professionals from the administrative burden of establishing, overseeing, and sustaining engagement programs, allowing them to focus on other deliverables and meet deadlines. The company provides both online and onsite services.”

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit lauded the startup company for harnessing the power of innovation in coming up with its project.  

“We hope more startups will follow Splore in utilizing the power of science, technology, and innovation in coming up with solutions that will cater to the needs of the Filipino people,” he said.  

Litton express gratitude to DOST-PCIEERD for its recognition of their potential through the Startup Grant Fund Program.  

“We are optimistic that through the grant we would be able to reach more companies and help their employees become more rounded individuals and productive Filipinos,” he said.  

DOST-PCIEERD’s Startup Grant Fund Program (SGF) has funded over 58 startups with a total of PHP 226 million over the past 5 years.  

For the 2023 Cycle, Splore was part of the six (6) approved proposals out of the 46 proposals received by PCIEERD.  

Paringit said Splore is a company that delivers innovation with a purpose, elevating the health and well-being of Filipinos during challenging times and pioneering the future of tele-sports for the remote workforce. 

Within the past 2 years, Splore has directed their focus on providing corporate wellness programs to renowned companies such as SunLife, AXA, and RingCentral. These wellness programs have been personally designed to enhance employee well-being, performance, and happiness, while promoting a healthy work-life balance.  

Looking ahead, Splore aims to direct the funding towards expanding its operations across multiple companies around the country, offering comprehensive & extensive wellness programs to their employees. Furthermore, by leveraging technological advancements, Splore aims to utilize employee profiles and behavioral trends in order to provide optimal and sustainable programs specifically designed for each client; thereby, reducing health costs and improving overall employee health & morale in the country. 

Litton and Brillantes said they are on a mission to create a positive shift in the Philippines work environment so that employees would no longer think about moving out of the country for international job opportunities.  

“The Splore team envisions the Philippines as a country where health & wellness is accessible to anyone and would cease to be viewed as a luxurious lifestyle,” he said.

Naawan, Misamis Oriental –The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and Mindanao State University (MSU) at Naawan officially unveiled the P6.2 million nanoCORE Lab: Computational Nanotechnology Technology Laboratory, the first nanotechnology lab in Northern Mindanao, to provide a platform for groundbreaking research in nanotechnology.  

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit commended MSU-Naawan for spearheading the establishment of nanoCORE lab and expressed his excitement about the potential impact of the facility.  

"MSU-Naawan has set a commendable example in advancing scientific exploration. We are confident that this facility is poised to advancing scientific research and fostering innovation in the field of computational nanotechnology," he said.  

The nanoCORE Lab will focus on the development of new nanomaterials, computational modeling of nanoscale phenomena, and nanotechnology applications in fields such as medicine, energy, and electronics. 

It also provides a unique opportunity for MSU-Naawan students and faculty to participate in cutting-edge research initiatives, gain access to specialized training programs, and attend workshops and seminars designed to advance their understanding of nanotechnology and computational methods. 

The nanoCORE Lab has already achieved notable milestones, with research on plasma membrane receptors and gold nanoparticle complexes nearing publication. More research on metal oxide interactions with biological systems is being conducted. The lab has hosted a successful hybrid seminar, providing students with laboratory immersion and training. 

Looking ahead, Dr. Rey Capangpangan, the project leader, shared the lab's plans for the future, stating, "Our focus is on advancing research capabilities and educational opportunities. We aim to expand collaborations, enhance student engagement, and delve deeper into the intricate world of nanotechnology, positioning the nanoCORE Lab as a center for transformative discoveries." 

Meanwhile, Dr. Paringit reaffirmed DOST-PCIEERD’s commitment to capacitating academic institutions through Institution Development Program (IDP).  

“At the DOST-PCIEERD, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting initiatives like the nanoCORE Lab through our Institution Development Program. We will continue our support for academic institutions that are dedicated to advancing research and innovation in emerging fields such as nanotechnology,” he expressed.  

At present, the nanoCORE lab is one of the fifty-four (54) labs established under IDP all over the country.  

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) on Thursday bared to the public 11 completed data science and analytics projects aimed at helping national and local government units improve their services.  

Funded through the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (c) program, the projects seek to provide appropriate systems and technologies to address specific needs of various National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Government Units (LGUs), academic or research institutions, and micro-, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs).  

“We are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of our nation and will continue to strive for excellence in promoting good governance through innovative solutions,” DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit said. 

Paringit expressed hope that this will inspire and motivate data science practitioners, learners, students, and graduates of the DOST-funded SPARTA and other academic or training institutions to join this transformative program. 

Successful completers of the GODDESS program focused on R&D projects on Data science and analytics (DSA) on sectors on Social Services, NGAs, Disaster Risk Management and Environment, and Barangay. 

List of presented projects under the GODDESS Program are as follows: 

Data Analytics Initiatives for Social Services  

• Development of Data Analytics and Information System: Support on Social Welfare Services for Senior Citizens of Butuan City of Father Saturnino Urios University
• Development of Iloilo Province Employment Portal and Services (IPEPS) with Data Analytics of Iloilo Science and Technology University 
• e-4PsMap: A data analytics-driven Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) outcomes monitoring, visualization, and dashboard system for the City of Digos of University of Mindanao
• Development of Urdaneta City Bagsakan Market Tariff Information Systems of Urdaneta City University
• Prescriptive Navigation through Vision-based Traffic Monitoring for City of San Fernando, La Union of Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University   

Data Analytics for NGAs

• PhilRice Data Analytics Initiative - RiceLytics of Philippine Rice Research Institute 
• Hundred Islands National Park Management System: Implementation of Smart Tourism of Pangasinan State University 
• Development of Data Analytics System for Visualization and Exploratory Analysis of Philippine Rice Genetic Resources of Philippine Rice Research Institute – Genetic Resources Division   

Data Analytics for Disaster Risk Management and Environment   

• Optimization of Decision Support System for Effective e-Governance (ODeSSEE) on Preemptive Evacuation for Flood Disaster amidst Covid-19 in Cagayan Valley of Isabela State University   
• Dagupan City Garbage Monitoring System of Lyceum Northwestern University   

Data Analytics for Barangay   

• Social Service Analytics and Mission Planning System (SSAMPS) for Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati - Adamson University   

Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum emphasized that these initiatives underscore that data science and analytics can help the government in making quick and improved decisions. 

“We need data science to fast track our country’s growth and improve the quality of life of our countrymen. The benefits are manifold: from enhancing the efficiency of public services and resource allocation to fostering transparency and accountability,” Solidum added.  

DOST-PCIEERD encourages new researchers from interested institutions from the regions to apply and be one of the grantees of the GODDESS Program. As of date, GODDESS has supported 22 projects, with 11 completers, amounting to a total investment of P29.99 million.

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.