Perhaps, this is the driving force behind the focus of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on developing technologies that address the “industry or business sector”.

“If we compare what is being done here versus what they are doing in other countries, our priority is to address (the needs) of the industry or business sector as against technologies that are very innovative but not necessary at this point,” says Solidum in a press conference during the 8th National Research & Development Conference (NRDC) on July 23-24, at Manila Hotel, Rizal Park, Manila, Metro Manila.

He made the statements at the DOST press conference as he and other officials and heads of the department’s attached agencies fielded questions from members of the media.

There are many research outputs, he pointed out, different basic and applied technologies churned out by the DOST councils’ research programs, citing, among others, in agriculture, food, problems on malnutrition, obesity, and others.

He was referring to the three sectoral councils of the department, such as the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), and Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

The DOST also has five R&D Institutes, five S&T Service Institutes, two Advisory Bodies, and 17 Regional Offices, the department being the government arm that “provides central direction, leadership and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people.”

Joining Solidum in the press conference included PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico “Eric” Paringit, PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya, and National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Executive Director Bernardo N. Sepeda. NCRP is also a DOST attached agency.

“There are many technologies we need to make research on to make it (science) responsive to the needs of our community, especially like disaster risk reduction done by Phivolcs to pinpoint areas that are dangerous, armored plates for our uniformed personnel they need for protection, using local materials, cheap and reliable,” says Paringit. (Phivolcs is DOST’s Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.)

Buendia said DOST is offering the technologies exhibited during the two-day conference. Adopters can have them and adopt the technologies. “We also invited international partners,” as she noted that “we are not far from what is being developed abroad.”

Sepeda emphasized that aside from technologies the DOST is offering, part of the assistance is research on policies that local government units (LGUs) can leverage, like sustainability component, research-based policies they can use.

The NRCP official cited the case of the San Bernardino Strait, which connects the Samar Sea with the Philippine Sea as well. It separates the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon from Samar of the Visayas (Wikipedia).

He said a basic research proposal on a tourism map for San Bernardino received Php50 million from DOST, as well as another basic research for Barangay San Miguel, Isabela, which also received funds, without giving the figure.

“DOST assistance is also about developing policy for LGUs,” says Sepeda.

The head of PCHRD, Montoya, says: “We are also looking for research that are not only marketable but can be used by government.”

He cited as example the Dengue Kit developed by PCHRD, which was transformed into a Detection Kit for coronavirus during the pandemic that hit the world, including the Philippines, that broke out in December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China.

“In a matter of days, it was ready,” he recalls, referring to the Covid-19 Detection Kit leveraged from Dengue Kit.

Ebora of PCAARRD said “the reality with DOST technologies, especially with agriculture, is that usually they are for public good” as he remembered the cocolisap infestation of coconut trees in CALABARZON, or Region IV-A, before the pandemic.

“Science arms us with solutions to problems and challenges. It helps us understand the different facets of life. It also provides some kind of a common language as a means to communicate,” he says, acknowledging S&T’s pivotal role in society. “Care should be taken though that science does not lead to a divide.”

SDN asked Solidum for an update the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in weather forecasting of PAGASA (DOST’s Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Service Administration) in partnership with an American company called Atmo, Inc.

“It’s now on its second year,” the DOST chief explains. “The goal really is to have an AI-aided forecast from five days to 14 days, if possible,” the DOST chief says, apparently meaning that forecasts would have a validity of 14 days instead of five days.

“We will find out if how much precision to have, and the compute time will be faster from three hours to 15 minutes,” Solidum explains, saying further the DOST-Atmo, Inc. R&D is “currently undergoing R&D.”

Being an archipelagic country, there are many weather systems that affect the Philippines, he pointed out. “So, this is being done. There are models that are being tested, but definitely, one of the focuses will be to make (the forecast) more granular, make the forecast every two square kilometers. So, LGUs, industries can actually use this for localized forecast for decision-making.”

Invest in human capital such as through scholarships

Presently, Solidum pointed out, PAGASA forecasting is on a general situation, “then you will suspend (classes) in a whole (area),” citing the case of Quezon City which has very wide territory. “There are many hazards that will happen in Quezon City.”

“Hopefully, we can reach that stage where we are able to empower local governments to decide, dependingon the forecast and the risks they faced. And that is why, in tandem with this use of AI, is the development of impact-based forecasting by PAGASA.

Here are the technologies at the 8th NRDC the DOST is offering for adoption, commercialization:

Working Technologies

Human Well Being

1. i-Sulat by University of Santo Tomas (UST), PCHRD, AVP, Prototype

2. Biomechanical Evaluation of In-House Produced 3D-printed Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Osteosynthesis Plates for Simple Mandibular Fractures, Zamboanga City Medical Center (ZCMC), PCHRD, static, prototype

3. Biosensors for detecting Schistosoma Japonicum and Letospira Spp., Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Department of Health (DOH) Regional Offices (Metro Manila Center for Health Development, MMCHD), Central Luzon Center for Health Development (CLCHD), Centers for Health Development in Eastern Visayas, Cagayan Valley, Northern Mindanao, and the Zamboanga Peninsula, PCHRD, Product Sample

4. Lisa Robot — A Logistics Indoor Service Assistant Robot for Hospital Applications, University of Santo Tomas (UST), PCHRD, Prototype

5. CareGo Health Suite, CP Helath Innovations, Inc., PCHRD, Static, Software

Wealth Creation

1. Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) Program: SPIDTECH, University of the Philippines Los Banos (UPLB), PCAARRD, Static, Demo

2. i-POND: A LoRAWAN-based Pond Water Quality Control and Monitoring System for Shrimp Farms, Aqua Tierra Agri-Industrial, Mindanao State University (MSU), PCAARRD, Static, Demo

3. ROSANNA Banana Diseases Surveillance System, University of Southern Philippines (USeP), Hijo Resources Corporation, PCAARRD, Static, Demo

4. Forest Jewels: A Research Program on Forest-Based Biojewelry in the Philippines, PCIEERD

• 5. Start-Up Grants
• 5.1 Tilapia Ice Cream, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Vera Bella Enterprises Limited Co., PCAARRD, Static, AVP, Products
• 5.2 Start-Up Grant: NUTRIO, Isabela State University (ISU), Agricom Best Food Corporation (ABGC), PCAARRD, Static, AVP, Products
• 5.3 Start-Up Grant: ChevLamb, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center (BADC), PCAARRD
• 5.4 Start-Up Grant: Andali Rapid Test Kits

Wealth Protection

1. Strengthening Product Development and Market Fit Validation of Aerocomp Ballistic Tactical Vest, University of the Philippines Diliman, Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering (UPD DMMME), PCIEERD, Static, AVP, Demo

2. ACER Program, DOST ASTI, NAMRIA, PhilSA, BSWM, DPWH, MGB, PCIEERD, (Equipment: ReMI, Raspberry Shake, Done; Maps: Liquefaction Hazard Maps, Tsunami Hazard Maps; Computer Visual: SIBOL Video, Toolboxes; Posters: SDS, Scientific Posters

• 2.1 Project DELTA — Deterministic Liquefaction and Tsunami Hazard Mapping of Selected Low-lying Areas in the Philippines using GIS, AI, and Geophysical Techniques
• 2.2. ACER Program, DOST ASTI, PhilSA, UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (UP-TCAGP), MGB, DOES, NAMRIA, PCIEERD
• 2.3 ACER Program — Project LUPA: Spatio-Temporal Land Cover Mapping for Risk Assessments in Land Use Planning through AI (LUPA Project), ASTI, NAMRIA, PhilSA, DHSUD, PCIEERD, Static Display
• 2.4 ACER Program — Project OMEGA: Deterministic Ground Shaking and Earthquake-Induced Landslide Hazard Modeling Using Gephysics, Remote Sensing, and Artificial Intelligence, NAMRIA, PhilSA, BSWM, DPWH, MGB, PCIEERD

Sustainability

1. Enhancement and Market Validation of LUNGSOD: A Link-Up of Geomatics and  Social Science Research for the Development of Smart Cities, University of the Philippines Diliman, UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (UP TCGAP), PCIEERD, AVP, Static, Demo

2. The Making of San Bernadino Islands’ Cultural and Ecotourism, Local Government Unit (LGU) Bulusan, National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), Static Display, Interactive Map, Dossier

3. Circular Economy Project: Solid Waste Management c/o PCIEERD and ITDI), PCIEERD

4. NUPlastic (c/o PCIEERD and PNRI), PCIEERD

5. Natural Wastes to Fabric (c/o PCIEERD and PTRI), PCIEERD