Through the Provincial Science and Technology Center in Davao del Norte, the event virtually gathered a total of 132 participants with almost half coming from the various State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Higher Education Institutes (HERIs), and DepEd Divisions in Davao del Norte. Other participants include researchers and planners from the government (40%), various industries (12%), civil society and the media partners.
The caravan aimed to inform research partners in Davao del Norte on the NRCP membership application, its qualifications and requirements as well as to encourage stakeholders to participate in the call for proposals under the S4CP.
“Through this caravan, we hope to encourage more research partners in the province of Davao del Norte to pursue and enjoy the benefits of becoming an NRCP member. We also hope to enjoin more proposals that will qualify under the S4CP and increase our R&D investments in the provinces”, said Dr. Anthony C. Sales, CESO III, regional director of DOST-XI.
On the other hand, Dr. Mark Ronald S. Manseguiao, a faculty member from Davao del Norte State College and a member of the NRCP Biological Sciences Division since April 2019 also shared his journey in applying and mentioned the perks he now enjoys as an NRCP member.
Moreover, Dr. Kenneth D. Barroga, Assistant Regional Director of the R&D for Development and Innovation Division, shared the objectives of NRCP, its plans, and targets for better understanding of potential members by presenting the Frontier Research Agenda and Capability Building of Researchers in Mindanao 1: NRCP Science and Technology Expert’s Pool (N-STEP). The establishment of N-STEP provides a mechanism to identify highly competitive researchers, scientists, engineers, and artists (RSEAs) to develop a regional network of researchers and enable them to become critical assets that will stimulate regional development across three regions in Mindanao, specifically in Regions X (Northern Mindanao), XI (Davao), and XIII (CARAGA).
Funding for research and development projects and master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation manuscript grants are just few of the benefits of an NRCP member. As presented by Nathanael David Abines, the N-STEP focal person, members can also publish their research in the NRCP journal. He also shared other opportunities for professional development of the experts.
Being the nation’s consortium of researchers and scientists, the Council now has around 5,000 members. However, to date, there are only three members from Davao del Norte. Thus, the forum served as a platform to encourage more and more young and seasoned RSEAs in Davao del Norte to apply for membership.
Furthermore, the law under the S4CP Act recognizes research and development as vital components for growth, and will then be instrumental to helping accelerate science, technology, and innovation developments and eventually enable the country to keep up with current global technology and innovation trends. Mayan Jane J. Inni, Unit Head of the Special Projects Unit of DOST-XI, explained the focus areas or component programs of the S4CP, namely: (1) Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) Program, (2) R&D Leadership (RDLead) Program, (3) Collaborative R&D to Leverage PH Economy (CRADLE) for RDIs and Industry Program, and (4) Business Innovation through S&T (BIST) for Industry Program. Through the S4CP, the DOST can significantly accelerate STI in the country and create a massive investment in S&T Human Resource Development and R&D.
Towards the end of the event, the N-STEP Project Management Team also invited the participants to submit proposals to the upcoming Call for Proposals from August 10 to September 15, 2021. The Provincial S&T Director of PSTC Davao del Norte, Engr. Judy Donna dA. Nueva Ecija, concluded the event with a message of encouragement for the participation of the various sectors. DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion
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Davao del Sur students develop Automotive Multifunction Tester and Supply prototype under DOST DATBED project
Four students from UMDC, namely: Kevin Bryx B. France – Bachelor of Technical – Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd); Gabriel Nixon A. Dela Cerna – BS Computer Engineering; Vencenth Dave B. Anical – BSBA in Financial Management; and Raymund Dowaso – BTVTED, received a funding assistance amounting to Php 53,230.00 for this project.
AutoTech, as the proponents call the prototype, was an output of the project funding received by the school from the Technology Application and Promotion Institute of DOST (TAPI-DOST). It is an automotive multifunction tester and supply (AMTS) that aims to help vehicle electricians and technicians easily and properly identify the nature of trouble in vehicles in performing repairs and maintenance services. In particular, the AMTS is intended to be used for testing vehicle ignition systems like spark plug and ignition coil; testing electrical components like bulbs, relays, and fuse; testing individual sensor of the vehicle – magnetic or non-magnetic; supplying power, specifically AC current that is not applicable during testing DC power from 3 volts to 12 volts; and for continuity test like starter repair and alternator repair.
The ensure that the project is on track, the DOST Provincial Science & Technology Center of Davao del Sur (DOST-PSTC DS) conducted a site visit at UMDC for the monitoring of the said project last 16 July 2021.
During the visit, Merchell Ibot, Project Advisor and Instructor at UMDC, presented the four (4) prototypes developed from the said project. Meanwhile, Conrado Panerio, Jr., Research Coordinator of UMDC, along with Edward Pulvera, Dean of College, and Dr. Tessie G. Miralles, Vice-President for Branch Operations expressed the institution’s conviction to advance the project implementation to the next phase which is commercialization and patenting.
DATBED aims to develop the entrepreneurial competencies of students in selected academic institutions through the creation of technological innovation projects that have not yet been tested in the market, but have potentials for commercialization and income generation. DOST XI S&T Information and Promotion
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Women’s association in San Luis, Batangas receives DOST-FNRI’s pancit canton with squash technology
More than unfolding the maximum potentials of PHP Noodle Haus as a community enterprise, DOST Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) – Batangas strives to make the association abreast with the latest technologies, that can help improve their product line. Being known as a local producer of pancit canton and shing-a-ling for 11 years already, PHP Noodle Haus continuously spins off applications to enhance their products through in-house product development.
In 2020, the company was granted with their second DOST Community-Based project titled “Technology Upgrade and Process Improvement of PHP Noodle Haus in Barangay. Taliba, San Luis, Batangas” that comprises the transfer of DOST-FNRI’s technology on pancit canton with squash, aimed at enhancing their current formulation
and process, and the provision for appropriate equipment that will address their production problems.
A technology licensing agreement was executed between DOST-FNRI and PHP Noodle Haus with DOST CALABARZON PSTC Batangas as witness. The undertaking was done as a pre-requisite to the actual technology transfer. Other requirements, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Gap Analysis, Technology Needs Assessment (TNA), permits, and certifications were, likewise, complied with to push through with the technology transfer.
Jaypy S. De Juan, Senior Science Research Specialist at the Business Development Unit under the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Section of DOST-FNRI, facilitated the technology transfer training. Given the constraints of face-to-face training due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the technology transfer modality has been aided by the virtual platform. To make learning easier, PSTC Batangas Staff, Mhark Ellgine A. Libao (Science Research Specialist II) and John Maico Hernandez (Science Research Specialist I), were present on-site to guide the women’s association on the step-by-step procedures producing the pancit canton with squash technology training.
PSTC Batangas Provincial Director, Felina C. Malabanan, who was also present, expressed her appreciation for DOST-FNRI’s support in strengthening the capacity of PHP Noodle Haus. She further recognized the commitment of the women’s association in sustaining their enterprise and hoped for the maximum utilization of the new technology for their enterprise’s advantage.
For her part, Aurrea B. Addun, president of PHP Noodle Haus, thanked DOST-FNRI and PSTC Batangas for the interventions they received. “Maraming maraming salamat po sa FNRI at DOST Batangas sa ipinagkaloob n’yo po sa aming bagong kaalaman. Malaking tulong po ito sa aming negosyo dahil mas gumanda po ang kalidad ng aming produkto,” she said.
According to DOST-FNRI, noodle products are well-accepted by all classes of consumers since children and adults take noodle products not only for their snacks but also for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Based on their research, canton noodles are consumed daily by 7 out of every 100 households and 36 out of every 100 households weekly.
While Vitamin A deficiency remains a public health problem in the Philippines, affecting more than 1.7 million children under the age of five and 500,000 pregnant and nursing women, the partial substitution of veggies like squash in place of wheat flour in noodles commonly consumed by children and adults is found to be effective in addressing this deficiency.
Pancit Canton with Squash, a nutritious noodle product, is prepared from a blend of wheat flour, squash puree, salt, egg, and noodle improver. A 50g serving will provide 16%, 20%, and 24% of the RDA for energy, protein, and vitamin A, respectively of 4-6-year-old children.