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Seeking digital tools from the Philippines that can help address development and humanitarian challenges

Digital public goods (DPGs) are digital tools that can be used to address key development and humanitarian challenges in different countries and contexts. They can be software, content, or services, but all have to demonstrate the use of an approved open license that allows them to be modified or built on by other developers to meet context-specific needs or, where able and appropriate, serve outside their intended use.

For example, DHIS2, a DPG deployed in over 50 countries, is commonly used as a health information management system. But its design was flexible enough that it can also track and record information from other sectors such as education, sanitation, and agriculture, allowing several ministries in one country to use it. It can be used by both a community health worker to access patient health information and a public school teacher to report on sanitation facilities in schools.

With support from the Digital Public Goods Alliance (DPGA), a multistakeholder group that facilitates the discovery, development, use of, and investment in DPGs to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in low- and middle-income countries, UNICEF is working to increase awareness in the Philippine tech sector about DPGs and identify mature solutions that are well-poised to become DPGs.

One such solution is Project AEDES, an internationally recognized data-driven dengue portal developed by CirroLytix, a social impact technology company based in the Philippines. AEDES is the first Philippine tech solution to be vetted by DPGA as a digital public good.

The AEDES prototype is an information portal that predicts dengue hotspots by making correlations from dengue cases and deaths, real-time climate data, Google searches, and satellite maps. It is targeted to be used by public health and local government agencies to give them advanced notice of dengue outbreaks. This helps them pre-position resources and plan a response to mitigate or address a dengue outbreak.

Project AEDES is a global awardee of the 2019 NASA International Space Apps Challenge (winning the Best Use of Data category) and the 2020 Earth Observation for the Sustainable Development Goals. And now with AEDES as a vetted DPG, the CirroLytix team hopes the recognition can accelerate the development of technology to protect more lives from dengue through addressing data delays. “By becoming a DPG, we aim to set a digital footing for the community of practice to produce and innovate through dengue research with other experts,” said Dominic Ligot, founder and Chief Technology Officer of CirroLytix.

UNICEF is working with partners in the Philippines like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to promote DPGs and encourage more tech companies and innovators in the country to participate in the DPG nomination and vetting process.

One of the first joint activities was a webinar held on 27 May 2021 that was attended by over 90 representatives from the government, academe, and technology and innovation sectors. Key representatives from DPGA and UNICEF’s Headquarters and East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office talked about the importance of democratizing the digital innovation space, openly sharing resources, scaling solutions to meet the world’s most pressing challenges, how to do so by becoming DPGs, and what support from the global community are available to DPGs.

"Even though the Philippines has made strides towards digitization, more work is needed to the accelerate the growth and adaption of digital solutions across organizations. Mainstreaming DPGs, especially among existing government tech partners, would enable the rapid adoption of innovations thereby improving governance and service for the public,” said Enrico Paringit, Executive Director of the DOST - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development. DPGs can unlock opportunities for greater collaboration across and within organizations, ultimately enabling governments to adopt digital solutions more cost-efficiently and sustainably, and ensure that these reach the last mile to benefit the most disadvantaged.

For UNICEF, innovative solutions like DPGs can help accelerate progress in addressing issues that affect children. Innovation and partnerships can provide new ways of solving problems to improve the lives of children, especially the most disadvantaged. “We look forward to collaborating further and for DPGs to become a mainstream pathway among homegrown tech actors working for social impact not only in the Philippines but globally,” said Behzad Noubary, UNICEF Philippines Deputy Representative for Programmes.

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#PinoyInnovator TikTok Challenge Winners

Unleashing their creativity to inspire Filipinos to pursue science and research, an engineering college student from Mapua University bagged the first-ever #PinoyInnovator TikTok Hashtag Challenge.

Winning the online social media competition is Jeremy C. de Leon as he created a P35 microscope using lenses from a laser, a hairclip, and his mobile phone.

He also bagged the fourth place for his creation of a flashlight microscope-projector using his mobile phone, laser lenses, and a flashlight. De Leon will be awardeed a total of P25,000 for bagging two awards, P20, 000 for the first place and P5, 000 for the fourth.

Completing the roster of winners are;

  • First Runner-up: Temperature Check for Door Security by @burtzx
  • Second Runner-up: DIY Fumigator by The Traveller @maf0393
  • Third Runner-up: Loading Tray for Packages by Doc Macoi @universemd

The first runner-up will receive an amount of PHP15,000 while the second to the fourth runner-up will receive PHP5,000, respectively. Additionally, they will also receive trophies and certificates from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

De Leon is also a recipient of the DOST PCIEERD Young Innovators Program (YIP) in 2018.

“We commend the amazing ideas and inventions of our Filipino TikTok creators who came up with these innovations.  We have high hopes that more Filipino scientists and researchers, especially the young ones, will continue to take their science journey to make incredible finds, make more discoveries, and achieve significant milestones,” DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit said.

“TikTok has grown to be a home for a diverse array of creators and we are very pleased on how this competition has highlighted Filipino talents in science and technology. We hope to continually engage this vibrant community. Through the #PinoyInnovator TikTok challenge, a lot of young content creators will be inspired to become innovators who will change the future and make new paths possible,” said Kristoffer Rada, TikTok Head for Public Policy.

The #PinoyInnovator challenge is part of the partnership of TikTok and DOST-PCIEERD to promote science, technology, and innovation to the public.

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To jumpstart the Philippine economy and help it bounce back from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD) is pouring in PHP43 million as research and development grant 14 startup companies.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit expressed optimism that the 14 startup companies will create a huge impact in the Philippine society with their cross-cutting technological products and services. 

“As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we are on the constant lookout for new talents that can infuse new blood into Philippine economy through innovative products and services.  We are excited for our new 14 startups who will commence a new breed of innovators in the country,” he said.

Out of 54 proposals received during the first call, most of the 14 startups that were selected came from Luzon with nine startups, followed by Mindanao with three, and Visayas with two.

The following are the names of the 14 startups and their projects:

  1. Agrabah

Project title: An Agriculture Technology Platform automated logistics booking for farmers and fisherfolks

Agrabah provides an integrated platform that arranges delivery of agricultural produce from farming communities to enterprise, providing farmers a seamless experience to market, easy access to clients and financing to meet volume requirements.

  1. Mosaic

Project title: New Product Development and Market Validation of a Mosaic Online Food and Beverage Procurement Marketplace Platform

Mosaic is an online food and beverage (F&B) procurement marketplace for food establishments and suppliers.

  1. CAWIL AI

Project title: Enhancement of the Prototype and Market Validation of Traceability Access for Consumer and Export powered by Artificial Intelligence (TrACE.AI) Software System

TrACE.AI is a Fish- Electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability app which automates catch documentation by utilizing artificial intelligence in identifying fish species.

  1. Burket PH

Project title: Improvement and Assessment of Marketability of an AI-powered Buyer-Supplier Matching and Management System for Businesses in the Philippines

Burket platform is a digitized procurement processes for business-to-business transaction.

  1. Zippee

Project title: Enhancement and Validation of Zippee Logistics: A Franchise B2B Logistic Platform for Truck Owners and Franchisees

Zippee Logistics is a B2B logistic service booking platform for truck owners and franchisees.

  1. Insights

Project title: Enhancing the MSME Supply Chain Experience by Integrating Cold Chain Solutions in DeliverE 2.0

The DeliverE Platform integrates different agriculture stakeholders into a single digital platform from farmer-to-consumer (F2C), business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C), which increases process cycle efficiency by 63% by shortening the agriculture supply chain from 8 steps to 4 steps. It also includes monitoring of transport fleet and warehouses.

  1. Bizkit

Project title: Enhancement of BizKit (The First Local Centralized Business Suite) to better facilitate cross-functional and holistic business operations in the new normal

BizKit is a local centralized business suite to streamline processes and information across the entire company and enable real time data visibility of business status.

  1. CodeChum

Project title: Market Segment Validation and Targeting for CodeChum, An Online Programming Class Platform

CodeChum is an online, web-based platform for programming education for teachers and students.

  1. Infinit LMS

Project title: Enhancement and Market Validation of Infinit LMS a Learning Management System with Outcomes-Based Education Analytics

Infinit LMS is a learning management system to conduct online learning and for sharing of materials and resources.

  1. Tinkerhouse

Project title: Enhancement of Prototype and Market Validation of TinkerClubs.com (A STEAM-Learning Platform for K-to-6 Learners)

TinkerClubs is an online learning community platform that supports STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) workshops, projects and learning kits for young students.

  1. Lesstics

Project title: Enhancement of Material Property of Lesstics Roofing Tile (Bio-based Insulation Polymer/Waste Single-Used Plastic Composite)

Lesstics is a cost-effective and sustainable material derived from waste Single Used Plastics.

  1. ROBIN

Project title: Enhancement and Market Validation of ROBIN (A reverse vendo machine for collecting PET bottles and aluminum cans)

ROBIN (Recycle On-demand BIN) is a reverse vendo machine that collect plastic bottles and aluminum cans for exchange of reward points.

  1. IOL

Project title: Enhancement and Validation of the Advanced Robust Cooperative System (ARCS), an integrated Software-as-a-Service (SAAS) solution for cooperative management and regulatory compliance

The Advanced Robust Cooperative System (ARCS) is a Software-as-a-Service (SAAS) platform that will help cooperatives in the Philippines manage and grow their operations and comply with regulatory requirements by integrating various basic and advanced data collection and reporting modules unique to cooperatives in an easy-to-use online platform.

  1. OBX

Project title: Enhancement of Local Disaster Reporting and Response System

OBX’s Local Disaster Reporting and Response System is a system that easily identifies and tracks the location of the reported incidents and facilitates the dispatching of appropriate response to emergency needs.

Startups were selected based on their innovative solutions that are aligned with the program theme, “Jumpstarting the Economy in the New Normal.” The program seeks for startup businesses who can provide automated, digitalized, and contactless solutions under the following areas of concern:

  • Sustainable Industries - Technologies intended to fill-in the gaps in the value chain of critically important industries to increase productivity, reduce costs and facilitate production and distribution of goods in the new normal.
  • Supply chain and logistics management - Technologies that reduce dependency on physical labor across transportation, logistics and warehousing; platforms for online matching and delivery of goods from source to point of use.
  • Learning/Education - Technologies in support of remote learning, distance education, and online learning in response to the surge in online teaching in schools and universities.
  • Work from home productivity tools - Productivity tools that remote workers can use for connection, collaboration, workforce monitoring, time management, among others.
  • Content and talent development - Tech support for content and talent development, infusion/ enhancement of new digital tools and technologies, marketing and customer engagement activities.
  • Digitally empowered Tools for public service - Digital tools that will enable government agencies to consistently deliver public services at a faster rate, a wider reach but with enhanced accuracy and transparency.

The Startup Grant Fund Program was initiated to overcome R&D roadblocks by means of prototype improvement, conduct of feasibility studies, development of product specifications, as well as validate user requirements, to strengthen their intellectual property (IP) by means of protection and development of the appropriate IP strategies.

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In the photo are NERC International Associate Director Dr. Sarah Webb and PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, together with various researchers and industry key stakeholders, during the UK-Philippines Minerals and Mining Scoping Meeting held on March 3-5, 2020 at Hotel Astoria, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

 

Achieving sustainability in the minerals industry and charting a greener community, researchers from UK and Philippines bagged research grants to facilitate and develop innovative solutions that can promote responsible mining and maximize value-adding from minerals.

Of the 18 proposals received online, these five research projects stood out during the selection process conducted by the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) and UK Research & Innovation - Natural Environment Research Council (UKRI-NERC). They are the following:

  1. SusNi or Developing a Sustainable pathway for the Philippine Nickel sector - Spearheaded by Paul Lusty of British Geological Survey-UK and Prof. Romell Seronay from Caraga State University-Philippines, the project aims to assess the impacts of mining, explore novel techniques for mineral exploration, metal extraction and recovery, and environmental monitoring, all considered within the socio-economic context of the Caraga Region, using an approach based on Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA).
  1. PROMT or Philippines Remediation of Mine Tailings - this project initiated by Prof. Gawen Jenkin from the University of Leicester-UK and Prof. Carlo Arcilla of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute-Philippines will build an innovative research program to test sustainable tailings management, remediation and rehabilitation. It aims to produce tailings with less water consumption and greater stability and show how they can be monitored and adaptively managed in real time. Also, it will enable the processing of modern and legacy tailings to recover more metals, while decontaminating them, encouraging rehabilitation and long-term stabilization and reuse of the associated ecosystem services.
  1. The Philippine Mining at the National to Catchment Scale: from Legacy Impacts to Sustainable Futures - headed by Dr. Richard Williams from the University of Glasgow-UK and Dr. Decibel Faustino-Eslava from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, Philippines, the project aims to develop a proposal to realize a combined geomorphological and biogeochemical based management approach to remediate waste and protect the environment, at national- to catchment-scales. This will enable catchment management practitioners to remediate legacy metal mining impacts and protect ecosystems as well as humans from the potentially negative effects of metal mine contaminants arising from current and future mining activities.
  1. Systems Approach for Greener, Eco-efficient and Sustainable mineral resource management or SAGES - Led by Dr Pablo Rafael Brito Parada of Imperial College London-UK and Dr. Arnel Beltran of the De La Salle University-Philippines, the project brings together the multi-disciplinary expertise of industry leaders, scientists, technology experts, community leaders and policy makers to develop a research programme for greener, eco-efficient, and sustainable mineral resource management in the Philippines

SAGES will develop a circular economy mining framework using a systems approach to address three mine waste categories: tailings and silts, mine drainage, and polluted soils. Transforming legacy mines into future mines and mine wastes into secondary resources can simultaneously reduce waste generation, provide additional economic benefits to stakeholders, empower host communities and improve rehabilitation programmes. This project will supply the paradigm shift necessary to stimulate growth of the resource extraction sector in the Philippines.

  1. A framework for the sustainable development of marine mineral resources in the Philippines - Headed by Dr. Ian Selby from the University of Plymouth-UK and Engr. Teodorico Sandoval of Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Philippines, the project will promote socio-economic development and personal and community welfare through constructive sharing of experience, expertise and innovation in managing offshore mineral resources. This includes mineral exploration, resource assessment and management, governance, policymaking, regulation and planning, use of innovative technologies from exploration to monitoring, and researching environmental impact assessments, environmental risks, mitigation and monitoring performance.

The project will research, share and develop knowledge, experience, technologies and best practices from exploration, resource management, regulation, environmental impact assessments, permitting, and extraction across all marine mineral resource activities.

These research projects will enable the development of detailed and fully co-designed research proposals to generate an entire system view of sustainable mineral resources in the Philippines.

In this PH-UK call for proposals, the selected projects will receive a partnership and project development (PPD) grant of up to £50K (at 80%FEC from NERC) and 1.6M Philippine Peso (~£26K from DOST-PCIEERD) that may be used to support some preliminary research activity where it is necessary for developing the detailed research questions for the strategic large grant project proposal.

PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit is confident that this collaboration between the Philippines and UK will lead to the increase of productivity and reduction of eco footprints in the country's mining industry.

“The Council is grateful for this partnership with UKRI-NERC and for joining us in strengthening the mining sector in the Philippines through research and development. As a leader and preferred partner in enabling research and development, DOST-PCIEERD will remain steadfast in finding ways to promote innovation in the mining sector, find new ways of rehabilitating mined areas, develop solutions that support a green future, capacitate and empower researchers on minerals and mining, as well as boost competitiveness and productivity of university laboratories and facilities to conduct research,” Paringit said,

“We are pleased to be partnering with DOST-PCIEERD to enable UK and Philippine researchers to develop truly collaborative research projects which we hope will lead to sustainable pathways to mineral production in the Philippines. Funding will support the development of a strategic large grant proposal to address essential research needs following the initial partnership building phase,” added Sarah Webb, Associate Director for International of UKRI-NERC.

The call for strategic Large Grants will open in May 2021 until July 2021. Joint NERC/DOST-PCIEERD funds will be used to award up to two strategic Large Grant projects in this call which will run for a maximum duration of 36 months. The total funds available from DOST-PCIEERD are up to 15 million PHP (~£236K) per Large Grant and NERC will contribute up to £1.2M (80%FEC) per Large Grant project (£1.5M at 100% FEC and FCC).

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Photos from the market testing of the iLawà in Masbate

Researchers from the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) have developed a battery that lights up the path of fisherfolks and cleans the polluted water at the same time.

Dubbed iLAWA, derived from the Filipino phrase ilaw mula sa lawa (light from the lake), the researchers developed the battery technology from recycled aluminum like cans to help light the path of fisherfolks and clean lakes when submerged underwater.

The researchers explained that the battery gets its power from the electrolytes in the water due to the presence of electric charges. 

iLawà prototypes are designed to be easily carried in small fishing boats

The battery cleans the water by removing it phosphate content. Phospates in lake waters come from agricultural and residential runoffs, dissipates as the cell operates in the water.

The T.I.P. team, composed of engineers Niel Jon Carl Aguel, Ana Luz Callao, Paul Vincent Nonat, and Rowel Facunla led by Dr. Drandreb Earl O. Juanico, first conceptualized iLawà in 2016 to address energy-related problems that the island of Talìm in the middle of Laguna Lake has been experiencing.

Their earliest prototype received recognition in 2017, bagging them an award from a non-government organization advocating sustainable energy.

Seeing the potential of this renewable energy (RE) innovation, the T.I.P. team pushed for its further enhancement and has successfully received funding support from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST’s) TECHNICOM Program for prototype development, field testing, and market validation, with monitoring efforts from DOST PCIEERD.

With the project, the team was able to optimize the prototype with its cell volume and mass reduced by 90% and 73%, respectively, while increasing power output by 89%. These technical improvements lead to greater potential uses that require higher electrical power levels.

The iLawà team with fisherfolks in Masbate

To date, the team behind iLawà has forged several partnerships among material suppliers for the commercialization phase and technology adopters such as the Federation ng Mangingisda ng Bayan ng Binangonan, a fisher folk cooperative that operates in Barangay Ithan, municipality of Binangonan in the province of Rizal.

The T.I.P. team envisions that the widespread adoption of iLawà will promote aluminum recycling and help remediate polluted lake waters. The release of phosphates through chemical reaction in the batter will improves water quality. It will minimize fish kills in lakes and enhance the fishing livelihood in lake towns.

PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico Paringit remarked that “the conscious efforts of T.I.P to boost the livelihood of Filipino fisherfolks” "By developing a durable, cost-effective innovation, not only will TIP’s technology produce clean energy but also improves lake environments. We look forward to seeing iLawà light up Philippines’ aquacultural areas, rivers, and even coastal waters,” he said.