GOVPH
MENU
Details
Filipino-made cube satellite, Maya-2
 

Maya-2, the Philippines’ second cube satellite, was successfully released into orbit by the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, 14 March 2021, along with Paraguay’s GuaraniSat-1 and Japan's Tsuru.

Developed under Japan’s Kyushu Institute of Technology’s 4th Joint Global Multi-Nation Birds Satellite (BIRDS-4) Project, these cube satellites were launched on February 21, 2021 at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Station in Virginia, United States through the S.S. Katherine Johnson Cygnus spacecraft at 1:36 AM PST.

Maya-2 was designed and built by Filipino scholars assisted through the Space Science and Technology Proliferation through University Partnerships (STeP-UP) Project of the Space Technology and Applications Mastery, Innovation and Advancement (STAMINA4Space) Program, with funding support from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“The successful launch of Maya-2 makes me feel proud. The accomplishment made possible by our young researchers and engineers should make us confident that we can do more in the area of space technology. I have high hopes that we, as a people, will be able to benefit more from developments in this area--all towards making the quality of life of our people better,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña.

Maya-2 engineers Izrael Zenar Bautista, Mark Angelo Purio, and Marloun Sejera confirms that upon deployment of the CubeSat, they will immediately start carrying out the satellite’s missions.

 
Maya-2 engineers in Kyutech’s laboratory
 

At just 1.3 kg, Maya-2 has a camera that captures images and videos, an Automatic Packet Reporting System Message Digipeater (APRS-DP), attitude determination and control units for active attitude stabilization and control demonstrations, Perovskite solar cells, and a Latchup-detection chip. Gathered data from the demonstrated components will be used to evaluate these technologies for future space missions.

Further, it can collect data remotely through a store-and-forward mechanism and gather data for applications such as weather and infectious disease analysis through ground sensors. Maya-2 was developed and improved using the knowledge gained from developing its predecessor.

DOST and STAMINA4Space Program are looking forward to the continued expansion of the Philippines’ capabilities and innovations in the space technology applications sector with the development of more Filipino-made satellites. They have corroborated that Maya-3 and Maya-4 are targeted to be launched within 2021.

As the monitoring agency of the STAMINA4Space Program, DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) is optimistic that these STA initiatives will bring positive change to the country.

"As a leader and preferred partner in enabling game-changing innovations in the emerging technology sectors, the successful release of Maya-2 into orbit is testament that Filipino scientists and engineers are capable of uplifting the lives of Filipinos through research and development (R&D)," said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.
 
Details
 

10 March 2021 – The Philippines may soon expand its electronics testing market to the United States as independent communications regulation agency, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) expressed recognition over the testing capabilities of the Philippines’ Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC).

In an email, Jihad Hermes of the FCC informed EPDC that it recognizes the ISO 17025 accreditation it obtained from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation last September 2019.

The recognition allows the EPDC to perform compliance testing on equipment subject to the Commission's Declaration of Conformity (DOC) and Certification rules for Unintentional Radiators.

Mr. Peter Antonio B. Banzon, Chief Science Research Specialist at DOST-ASTI and Project Leader for EPDC commended its team and industry partners at the Electronics Industries Association of the Philippines, Inc. (EIAPI) for their hard work in making this achievement possible.

“We are very happy with this development as not only does it open up the EPDC to foreign clients of its testing services but more importantly, it opens up and lowers the barriers for local companies and innovators to enter the US market with our very own innovative products.  Expensive tests that used to be performed abroad can now be done much faster and more economically here in the Philippines”.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit lauded the recognition as it opens new opportunities for the facility especially in the international arena.

“We welcome this development and we hope more electronics companies here and abroad avail of the EPDC services.  As a leader and partner in enabling innovations, we encourage our industry partners to collaborate with us and come up with new opportunities in the country”.

The ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation demonstrates technical competence for a defined scope and the operation of a laboratory quality management system.

It also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries.

Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which improves international trade.

Mr. Earl Lawrence S. Qua, President of EIAPI, also congratulated the EPDC Team for attaining the accreditation.

“EIAPI is thrilled with the accreditation; it is a great validation of the hard work of the men and women at the EPDC who are offering certified world class services. This means that test results coming from EPDC will be recognized by the FCC.

 Thanks to the leadership of DOST Secretary Dela Peña, Undersecretary Guevara, and the support and collaboration of Dr. Paringit of DOST-PCIEERD and the staff of DOST-ASTI, these tools are now made available to every Filipino innovator. The EPDC provides services and the use of facilities that are normally only available to large companies. We hope the EPDC becomes a catalyst for the enablement of the Philippine Electronics Design and Manufacturing Industry to scale and to ensure that more Filipino designed products are successfully brought to market, locally and globally.

In addition to its PCB Design, Prototyping and Testing, The EPDC is in the process of expanding its prototyping capability to include a PCB wet processes lab.”

The Electronics Industries Association of the Philippines, Inc. (EIAPI), which manages the operations of EPDC, together with DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) hopes that this recognition from the FCC will help EPDC’s testing capabilities go beyond electronics production and drive for original design and development activities in the Philippines as well.

This is so that the facility can cater for the bigger market which is manufacturing and assembly of electronic products.

 

About EPDC

Inaugurated in July 2015, the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC) is a world-class electronics testing facility designed to support the electronics industry by providing various technical support services to promote innovation and high value product development.

About EIAPI

The Electronics Industries Association of the Philippines, Inc. (EIAPI) was established in 1986 by a group of young Filipino entrepreneurs engaged in the electronics business to promote the development of the Philippine electronics industry with emphasis on locally developed products. The association acts as a liaison between its members and the government, the academe, and other industries in the country. EIAPI serves as the collective voice of its members, particularly in articulating common problems and concerns by bringing these to the attention of relevant parties, as well as helping in the formulation of government policies.

About DOST-ASTI

Established in 1987 by Executive Order No. 128, the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that undertakes scientific research and development and technology transfer in the advanced fields of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), computing, electronics and their applications. The DOST-ASTI continues to dedicate itself to developing and delivering technology solutions to enable a productive, globally competitive, and resilient Filipino society.

About DOST-PCIEERD

The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) is one of the sectoral planning councils of DOST that provides support to research and development in the industry, energy, and emerging technology sectors.

Details
 

As the Philippines celebrates the National Women’s Month, the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) is opening doors to support women entrepreneurs access technology solutions for their businesses.

Through the Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises or WHWise Program, DOST-PCIEERD said that this is a public-private partnership initiative that brings together government agencies and private organizations to seek out and prepare women-led social enterprises for growth, scalability, and subsequent venture capital funding. More importantly, The DOST-PCIEERD shall connect these women entrepreneurs to the science community and provide access to technology assistance so even the most rural women can be part of the global economy.

The WHWise Program offers a suite of services including early-stage funding, training, skills development, mentorship, and business incubation.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit expressed optimism that the program can help Filipina entrepreneurs access available opportunities that can empower their businesses.

"As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we hope this program can encourage our women entrepreneurs to innovate and utilize available technologies that can maximize the potentials of their businesses. This is a call for women in technology to work with women in social enterprises to spawn innovation. Women can indeed make a change in our society” he said.

Paringit said the program is open to all women-led social enterprises across the country and encourage women entrepreneurs in the regions to fully participate. The DOST-PCIEERD is also open to partnerships with private organizations focusing on women entrepreneurs that are willing to lend a hand to further help the grantees of this program.

A detailed capsule (or full-blown) proposal must be submitted to DOST-PCIEERD through the DPMIS portal, www://dpmis.dost.gov.ph,  from June 1 to 30, 2021 but Call Conferences shall be held in April and May to explain the proposal format, mechanics and other requirements related to the grant. Schedules of Call Conferences for the WHWise Program shall be announced in the DOST-PCIEERD fb page.

Requirements for the proposal include the following:

  • Letter of Intent and Endorsement from the head of the institution addressed to: 
    • DR. ENRICO C. PARINGIT 
    • Executive Director 
    • Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) 
    • Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 
    • 4th and 5th Level, Science Heritage Building, DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City 1631 
  • Detailed DOST-GIA Proposal Format through the DPMIS
  • Supplementary Files uploaded:
    • Scientific Basis/Theoretical Framework
    • Workplan
    • Gender and Development Score
    • Details of Line-Item Budget
    • Risk Management Plan
    • Curriculum Vitae of Proponent/Project Leader
 
Details
Group photo of PCIEERD Personnel and GODDESS Program Grantees
 

New data science research and development projects that enable good governance will soon be implemented to improve operations of national government agencies (NGAs) and local government units (LGUs) through the support of the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

Funded under the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) Program, these projects are geared towards addressing the gap in the country’s workforce for data scientists that enables and strengthens the government to adapt data-driven governance and evidence-based management.

DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit said the GODDESS program is aimed at utilizing data to create innovations in running government and serving the people.

“As a leader and partner in enabling innovations, we support solutions and approaches that move towards data-driven decision making and smart governance,” he said.

The seven new data science projects under the GODDESS Program are from the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU), Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), Isabela State University (ISU), Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U), Urdaneta City University (UCU), Lyceum-Northwestern University (L-NU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), and the Pangasinan State University (PSU).

Researchers from FSUU will be conducting the project "Development of Data Analytics and Information System: Support on Social Welfare Services for Senior Citizens of Butuan City. This is an initiative to discover new knowledge using the Knowledge Discovery to Data Base (KDD) model and to develop information system and data analytics that will aid in the formulation of policies, projects and programs for effective delivery of services to senior citizens in the city.

The PhilRice Data Analytics Initiative (RiceLytics) of the Department of Agriculture-Philippine Rice Research Institute (DA-PhilRice) intends to harness the power of data analytics to enhance baselining and forecasting of the status of the rice farmers and the rice industry. The project will develop an online analytics dashboard that can be accessed by the public especially the decision and policy making bodies at different government levels for decision and policy formulation.

ISU will be implementing the project Optimization of a Decision Support System for Effective E-governance (ODeSSEE) on pre-emptive evacuation for flood disaster amidst COVID-19 in the Cagayan Valley. This aims to apply data-driven process in generating safe and alternative evacuation areas for flood disaster while keeping the COVID-19 quarantine facilities and individuals uncompromised to prevent spread of the virus by combining profiling features of Health Guard PH and zoning monitored by Office of Civil Defense Region 2 (OCDR2).

ISAT-U is working towards the development of the Iloilo Province Employment Portal and Services (IPEPS) using data analytics. This will be a dynamic web-based application that has six (6) components: Job Seekers Registry, Employers Registry module, Employment registry module, Training registry module, Academe registry module, and Students’ registry module.

UCU researchers will be doing the project “Development of an automated collection system for trading hubs or bagsakan market”. They will create a cashless and contactless payment system with the use of mixed technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification and QR Code payment system.

L-NU aims to develop a smart garbage collection and monitoring system for Dagupan City. The system will generate necessary data where analytics can be applied to yield information essential for evidence-based decision making by the LGU to address its solid waste management needs.

DMMMSU is working on a vision-based traffic monitoring system for San Fernando, La Union. It will have a prescriptive navigation software based on real-time traffic data and will also analyze existing policy for traffic control.

PSU will develop the Hundred Islands National Park Management System that has a real-time motorized banca geolocation as an implementation of smart tourism.

Paringit said DOST PCIEERD will be relentless in pursuing new projects on data science to aid government in managing its data needs and craft data driven decisions.

“Through these projects, we will enable the development of appropriate capabilities, systems and technologies that can be adapted and used by national government agencies and local government units, specifically on urban mobility, energy management, e-governance and citizen services, waste management, and water management,” he added.
Details

Tomato field in Brgy. San Juan, Botolan, part of the project site

 

Researchers from the Central Luzon State University has helped farmers from nine (9) lahar-laden barangays in Zambales find suitable crops for their land through research and development.

Funded by DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), the project aims to help in the rehabilitation of areas affected by Mt. Pinatubo in Zambales through science and technology based agricultural production technologies that enhance the productivity of the lahar-laden areas.

The research team assisted the improvement of four barangays in Botolan, Zambales, two barangays in Castillejos, Zambales, and three barangays in San Marcelino, Zambales, all affected by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

Farming households in the four barangays of Botolan, Zambales took part in the study to get an overview of their present farming system where in soil and farm resources were assessed.  The soil was analyzed with the help of experts from the University of the Philippines National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP NIGS).

On-farm testing and pilot testing of the production of selected crops were conducted to evaluate and showcase their productivity.

The research team planted tomato, eggplant, sweet potato, green corn, soybean, and peanuts in two demo farms built within the four barangays of Botolan, Zambales. This was replicated in the other barangays in Castillejos and San Marcelino.

The researchers learned that the combined application of organic, inorganic and foliar fertilizer across locations and all kinds of crop produced better yield than the combined application of only organic and inorganic fertilizer.

Eggplant and soybean were also planted in pots of lahar soil and lahar soil where black sand was removed. It was found that the presence of black sand did not influence the performance of eggplant and soybean, and that yield increased when organic fertilizer application was increased.

The researchers identified potential crops and farming practices better suited to the areas including apt technologies.

Technology demonstration (techno-demo) farms were established to showcase the technology developed in Botolan for crop production. These farms were planted with various vegetables such as Diamante Max F1 Hybrid Tomato, Prolifica F1 Hybrid Eggplant, and F1 Hybrid Hot Pepper.

A total of 63 farmers and technicians from local government units (LGUs) were trained and a manual on crop production practices in ash-laded areas was developed to guide them.

The team also came up with two research papers already submitted for publication, and a 2-year off-shoot project was also approved starting this year, with P3 million funding assistance from the Department of Agriculture Regional Office III (DARFO3). This new project will focus on increasing the income of farms through promotion and adoption of

appropriate technologies.

DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit sees the results of the project as a boost food security in the region especially with the scarcity of resources.

“We hope that this intervention can help our farmers in lahar-laden areas build back their lives better through innovations in agriculture.  We are optimistic that this can help our farmers provide food for their families and to the nation,” he said.

Paringit also enjoined industry players, agricultural groups, and other key stakeholders to engage with the council and help bring this technology to a wider populace.

“As leader and partner in enabling innovations, we hope that our industry players can help us reach more people.  We will be relentless in our pursuit of finding solutions and opportunities that can plant the seeds of innovation in our nation,” he said.