The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCIEERD) took pride in presenting eight “game-changing” innovation projects for the environment sector.
The projects were unveiled during the seventh edition of the Innovation Council’s Science and Innovation Budding Opportunities for Leverage (SIBOL) webinar series.
The eight newly approved and commenced projects supported by the DOST-PCIEERD for the environment sector were the following:
-Drive Air ni Juan - Aluminosilicate Technology for Compact Air Purification (Dr. Bryan Alamani, University of the Philippines Diliman);
-Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of Conducting Polymer/Metal Nanoparticles Composites, and Their Application as a Chemiresistive Gas Sensor Array for H2S and CO2 (Dr. Karen Santiago, University of Santo Tomas)
-eAsia: Developing Green Degradable Polymers from Plant Based Oils and Investigation on Its Subsequent Functionalization and Utility as Heavy Metal Sequestrants (Dr. Ian Ken D. Dimzon, Ateneo de Manila University)
-DOST-JSPS: Preparation of Crown Ethers and Alpha-aminophosphonates Decorated Natural Fibers-based Hybrids Metal Ion Adsorbents by Fusing Multicomponent-reaction and Radiation-grafting of Polymers (Dr. Jordan Madrid, DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI))
-AQUADRONE: UAV Assisted Deployment System for Water Quality Monitoring (Assistant Professor Anthony James Bautista, University of Santo Tomas)
-Integrated Flood and Water Resources Management in ASEAN Basins for Sustainable Development (Dr. Orlando Balderama, Isabela State University)
-Project 1. Water for Tourism: A Science-Based Water Resource Monitoring and Management Planning Guide for Tourist Destinations in the Philippines (Dr. Maria Aileen Leah Guzman, Ateneo de Manila University)
-Hydrological Characterization of Boracay Island's Groundwater System and Nabaoy Watershed using Isotope and Nuclear-based Analytical Techniques (Engr. Raymond Sucgang, DOST-PNRI)
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit took the opportunity to thanked the project leaders for coming up with eight new projects for the environment.
“We thank you for heeding our call to spur game-changing innovations as we steward our surroundings,” he said.
He noted that over the past 11 years, they have invested more than P532 million in 146 projects “and today is an example of our commitment to continue our support for the environment sector.”
“Of the outputs generated by the projects we supported, 51 percent have churned out policy recommendations for various public entities while 49 percent of them could be technologies for commercialization,” Paringit said.
“For technologies that came out from the projects, 70 percent have been adopted by the private sector, 17 percent have spun off into private enterprises while 13 percent have been adopted by government agencies.”
He cited the need for the country to implement such innovations to become environmentally resilient and better cope with the impacts of disasters and the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The PCIEERD chief said the launch of the new projects is timely as the nation celebrates this November the National Environmental Awareness month.
"We are hopeful that these new projects will help the Philippine environment heal from the past damages and contribute to its protection and enrichment. As a leader and partner in enabling innovations, we will remain at the forefront of coming up with programs and projects that create positive change for the environment.”
“We will be unwavering in supporting eco-innovations designed to solve the environmental issues of Filipino communities through research and development,” Paringit said in closing.