The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON spearheaded the launching of several projects which are products of research and development (R&D) and would offer timely and appropriate solutions to some of the pressing issues and limitations that exist in the region.

The ceremonial turnover of Fiberglass Rescue Boats, the memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing of the “Adoption of the A-S-F-V Nanogold Biosensor Test Kit Technology for Faster and Cost-Effective Surveillance and Detection of the Dreaded African Swine Fever, and “Upgrading of Makapuno Laboratory and Nursery Facilities in Cavite State University were some of the highlights of the opening program of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) in CALABARZON held on October 17, 2022, at the Batangas State University (BatSU) National Engineering University.

“It is important to note that these projects are the products of our collaboration with different state universities and local government in the region to find innovative solutions to several problems of local areas and communities through conducting and implementing several R&D initiatives and efforts,” said DOST CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit.

The first was the ceremonial turnover of Fiberglass Rescue Boats to the LGUs of Tingloy in Batangas, municipalities of Perez and Quezon in Quezon Province.

“Ang kinagandahan pa po nitong fiberglass rescue boat na aming idineploy ay magkakaroon ito ng Automatic Identification System o AIS, isang teknolohiyang dinebelop ng Mapua University at funded ng DOST. Ang AIS technology ay naglalayong i-level up ang monitoring at pag-track ng mga sea vessels para masigurado ang kanilang kaligtasan habang pumapalaot,” explained Reg.Dir. Bagsit.

(What’s good about these Fiberglass Rescue Boats is we can deploy them with an Automatic Identification System or AIS, a technology developed by Mapua University and funded by DOST. AIS technology aims to level up the monitoring and tracking of sea vessels to ensure their safety while they are at sea.)

Meanwhile, to help LGU beneficiaries of DOST’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program address the detection of African Swine Fever or ASF virus in Batangas, a ceremonial MOA signing was done between Batangas and DOST-CALABARZON for the adoption of the DOST- Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) supported A-S-F-V Nanogold Biosensor Test Kit Technology for Faster and Cost-Effective Surveillance and Detection of the Dreaded African Swine Fever.

The ASFV Nanold Biosensor test kit is a nucleic acid-based assay that is a combination of LAMP and nanotechnology where gold nanoparticles are used to aggregate with amplified DNA genetic materials after amplification to visualize the reaction after 30 minutes. The test can be done on samples collected from the live animal such as blood, feces and saliva or oral fluids and from inanimate objects such as raw meat and other tissues, surface swab, and water.

The other featured project was the Upgrading of Makapuno Laboratory and Nursery Facilities at the Cavite State University (CvSU).

According to Reg. Dir. Bagsit, this project aims to revitalize the makapuno industry in the country and to make CvSU one of the institutions that provide Embryo Cultured Makapuno o ECM in the region. She also said that they were hoping to achieve their goal which is to help in producing makapuno seedlings for distribution at a large scale at an affordable cost.

Lastly was the launching of the deployable Mushroom House, a project of DOST-CALABARZON, together with the Provincial S&T Office in Laguna State Polytechnic University-Siniloan campus through their System of Total Rehabilitation of Agricultural Wastes (STRAW) program.

Reg. Dir. Bagsit explained that the project called “Fabricated Prototype Deployable Mushroom Growing House” aims to address food security, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation and sustainability by producing an automated mushroom growing house that will generate a monthly income of at least PHP 12,000. It is made of a 3.6 m x 8.4m collapsible structure, installed with an automated sprinkler system, humidifier, artificial light, and insulation.

In his video message, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. assured that the DOST will continue connecting more people, communities, and institutions using science, technology, and innovation as the country is gradually recovering toward the new normal.

“Let us stay awake and ponder on the importance and advantages of STI in our ways. Our crises led us to a burrow of innovation, advancements, and science-based solutions for the pressing needs of our country. We did bloom where we are planted, let us continue bearing fruits of innovation for our people,” said Sec. Solidum.

Meanwhile, Batangas Governor Hermilando “Dodo” I. Mandanas lauded efforts and initiatives of DOST, through its regional office in CALABARZON and provincial office in Batangas, in helping the province achieve inclusive development.

“Partnering with DOST allows us in Batangas to have science and evidence-based solutions to different issues and concerns hounding our province. Working with DOST to some of their programs opens numerous career and livelihood opportunities for the local communities and residents,” said Governor Mandanas.

Aside from techno-exhibits, also featured in this three-day regional S&T fair were the Stakeholders’ Forum on Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Technology Opportunity Seminar on Food Processing Technology: Vacuum-Freeze and Spray Drying Technologies, Grand Launching of the First 100th SETUP Adoptor of DOST-CALABARZON and Virtual Training of Packaging and Labelling Requirements.

Prior to the RSTW celebration in CALABARZON, there was the DOST Stakeholders’ Forum and Caravan in South Luzon that ran from July 17-19, 2022.

The regional celebration was anchored on the theme of this year’s National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) which is “Agham at Teknolohiya: Kabalikat sa Maunlad at Matatag na Kinabukasan”. It will be held from 23-27 November 2022 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City in hybrid mode with on-siter exhibits and virtual conduct of webinars and technology forums.

For more information on the RSTW in CALABARZON held in Batangas City, you may visit the DOST-CALABARZON and for updates on the activities of the 2022 NSTW, interested parties may visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph and its Facebook page at facebook.com/nstwdost.