By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MANILA HOTEL — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is providing guidelines for innovation and technology transfer.
In a press conference, DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. said that the NRDC (National Research Development Conference) is regularly being conducted as mandated by the Technology Transfer Law.
“We would like to disseminate information to the public the innovations and technology transfer being made by the DOST,” Solidum said.
“There are many basis of the technology transfer such as the food industry, or the problems on obesity or malnutrition,” he added.
Solidum is oftentimes visiting the Mindanao State University (MSU) which has many innovations such as a in the oil industry.
“We wanted to invite potential investors with this 8th NRDC,” Solidum said.
“In all our researches,” Solidum said, “the DOST is always supporting them.”
“Part of our advocacy is to get their projects approved by the regulatory bodies,” he added.
The DOST sectetary explained that the NRDC examines the various project proposals whether such projects can be given different modalities and help by the DOST.
Solidum stressed that from production to comnercialization, there are many factors that intervene, including the tariffs which may even encourage more investors.
“We are hoping that the inventors and innovators will atready have their project development proposals to facilitate between innovators and capitalists or investors,” Solidum said.
He added that their R&D-funded projects are not for commercialization, but for the local government units, including the housing innovation project with the DHSUD.
“Definitely, if many are interested, it will be easier than now,” Solidum said.
The DOST secretary also said that they are mulling the putting up of a Central Hub where the central data system of the Department can be accessed.
Solidum added that the DOST is also offering AI-based innovation and technology industry, as well as licenses to food security adoptors, who in turn, collaborate with the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development).
He stressed that the Beverage companies can and are now using new technology developed by the DOST, through the “Food Trip” program to harness and maximize their respective products.
The Genome Center is partly funded by the DOST not only for plants and animals, but also precisely for the Covid-19.
Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of PCAARRD, cited the control measures such as mass production of anti-infestation insects to counter the coconut pests or cocolisap.
Dr. Ebora said that the DOST-PCAARRD provides guidelines for product innovation and technology transfer.
He cited the native chicken program “Itik Pinoy” being implemented in the Minimum Security Compound of the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City, which he hopes would also be implemented in other penal colonies.
Dr. Ebora stressed that the price of egg is dependent on the prize of feed for the chicken industry.
He also cited that the DOST is also addressing the value and supply chain, where the byproducts or oversupply are converted into other products.
Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, Executive Director of NRCP, cited that the amount of PHP50 million was requested from the DPWH by the San Bernardino Island.
Dr. Lea J. Buendia, Usec. .for Research and Development, said that now is the time to harvest these technologies funded by the government.
“We are not far from what other countries are doing now,” Buendia said.
She added that 10 to 20% of the various R&D-funded projects have been commercialized.
“About 2,000 proposals are submitted every year, but not all of them are approved,” Buendia said.
Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of PCIEERD, said that there are many researches that can be made in order to achieve innovations and technology in the field of volcanology and armor technology such as armor vest technology as well as smart technologies for the cities and local government units for them to become more resilient and sustainable.
Coastal engineering for the coastal areas resiliency, especially in the most flooded or eroded areas due to coastal areas to mitigate damage when deluge in the coastal areas
Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, Executive Director of PCHRD, sad that when it comes to public good, the PCHRD is very involved in it.
Dr. Montoya cited the role of the PCHRD during the Covid-19 pandemic which hit the country from March 15,2020 until December 2022.
He also cited the partnership between the DOST and PhilHealth that paved the way for the expansion of coverage or PhilHealth benefits to other various diseases or illnesses. ###
