ILOILO CITY -- Twelve outstanding scientists and innovators from Western Visayas region were awarded for their contributions to the region’s socio-economic development.
“We have a number of scientists and innovators who are recognized nationally and even internationally, but many in the region do not know them,” said Engr. Rowen Gelonga, the regional director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-6).
“We want to highlight their roles in socio-economic development” Gelonga told Manila Bulletin after the 2022 Idlab Awards.
The awarding ceremony culminated the recent regional celebration of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) in Iloilo City.
But Gelonga was quick to note that the Idlab Awards was actually the initiative of the Research, Development and Innovation Committee of the Western Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC-6), which is under the helm of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-6).
Leading the awardees in the basic research category was Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, a Balik Scientist.
Dalisay heads the research team at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City that discovered the potential of marine sediments as a source for antibiotics.
The marine sediments were found in Isla de Gigantes in northern Iloilo province.
Other awardees in basic research category were Dr. Fernan P. Tupas of the Northern Iloilo State University (NISU) and Dr. Judith S. Rabacal of the Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST).
In the health research category, Dr. Patricio P. Palmes was the outstanding researcher.
Other awardees were Dr. Sheilla M. Trajera and Dr. Marie Grace Dawn T. Isidro.
Engr. Sammy V. Militante was the Outstanding Researcher in the category for industry, energy, and emerging technologies. Other awardees were Dr. Joel T. De Castro and Prof. Julie Ann A. Salido.
Dr. Christopher Marlowe A. Caipang was the outstanding researcher in the category of agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources. Other awardees were Dr. Renerio S. Mucas and Dr. Julius T. Vergara.