THE Technology Application and Promotion Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-TAPI) has made public the Director’s Report which revealed the Institute’s accomplishments for the past nine years.
It was held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Pasay City, on January 25.
The theme, “LEVEL UP: Embracing the Past, Moving the Future,” reflects the Institute’s journey by using the learning of the past as the foundation and by inspiring the challenges of today to move the future.
DOST-TAPI Chief of Invention Development Division Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena welcomed the attendees.
Subsequently, the conduct of the Director’s Report coincided with the very first DOST-TAPI Awards and the 32nd Anniversary of the Institute.
DOST-TAPI was created by virtue of Executive Order 128 in 1987 to promote the commercialization of technologies and to market the services of the operating units of the DOST.
In 1992, DOST-TAPI’s function was expanded with the passing of the Inventors and Invention Incentive Act of the Philippines, and later on further expanded with the implementation of the Philippine Technology Transfer Act of 2009.
“I realized that we have already faced far more risks to be afraid of taking on another challenge and that is to veer away from the usual and experiment on new ways to prove and to show the world, the universe rather, that we are indeed the promotional arm of the DOST,” Decena said.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. De La Peña, TAPI’s director, delivered an Inspirational Message at the event.
“It is humbling to remember years back when I spearheaded the creation and implementation of the Technology Business Incubation and the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Programs to support our small enterprise, he said.
“Now, the Institute has stepped it up notches higher with programs helping technology generators, inventors, and micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSME) push their technologies and invention in reaching the local markets,” de la Peña added
With the vision of being the strategic partner in advancing national socio-economic growth by advocating a culture of innovation and by promoting globally-competitive and useful technologies, the Institute is poised to achieve this vision in the near future.
“Our programs are strategically designed in achieving the set strategies in vigorously advancing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) from 2017 to 2022,” said DOST-TAPI Director Edgar I. Garcia.
Director Edgar I. Garcia of the TAPI, an attached agency of the DOST. (Photo: TAPI)
“Specifically, our Programs are geared in helping the strategies in increasing STI utilization, increasing investments in STI, enhancing the creative capacity, and strengthening collaboration among actors in the STI system,” he added.
Since 2010, the Institute has been able to contribute in pushing the STI culture in the country through its programs.
For example, the Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) Program has implemented 51 projects of 91 technologies which have made significant contributions to the society in different priority areas of the Department, TAPI said.
Moreover, the annual National Science and Technology Week (NSTW), which is organized by Institutional Support for Science and Technology Exhibitions (ISTE) Program, has been increasingly featuring technologies from 107 in 2014 to 730 in 2018, garnering 375,000 registered visitors since 2011.
To intensify Intellectual Property (IP) applications in the country, the Institute has filed 1,689 IP applications from 2010 to 2018 where 667 of which have been granted IP certificates from 75 institutions and 188 inventors.
The Venture Financing Program has approved 83 projects since 2010 and recorded an average refund rate of 96 percent.
In line with enhancing creative capacities, the Institute has produced the first and only Certified Patent Valuation Agents in the Philippines through Decena and Caezar Angelito E. Arceo.
The Invent School Program (ISP) was able to break new grounds in opening the program to elementary students with the pilot-testing of two special science classes in 2017.
In 2018, one major linkages fostered is the conduct of exhibit in SM Supermalls to facilitate the nationwide celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the DOST.
This collaboration has reached out to almost 4,000 visitors from SM Cherry Antipolo to SM City Cagayan de Oro.
“These programs have provided relevant contributions not only in bringing economic stability but also in addressing societal issues in almost every life stage of the Filipino population,” said Garcia.
He stressed his dream for TAPI becoming the central powerhouse in technology promotion, transfer, and commercialization leading towards the attainment of the prestigious Philippine Quality Award (PQA).
“I envision the Institute in becoming a government-owned and -controlled corporation, not only responsible in providing financial assistance and grants to worthy beneficiaries, but also invest in their potentials as market leaders in their chosen industries,” he added. (TAPI)