DOST's commercially ready technologies offered in the CARAGA Region

Ms. Jacqueline F. Dinglasan, technology transfer officer from DOST-ITDI presents the Food on-the-road Innovation and Processing Facility (FoodtrIP) project of the institution, which is available for adoption

The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) commercial-ready technology products were offered to local investors, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and even local government units (LGUs) in the Caraga region as part of the 2024 Regional Science Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) activities in Butuan City.

The forum on Commercial-ready Technologies was organized by DOST Caraga Region, along with an array of activities such as the robotics and painting competition, a series of forums, the KatHabi fashion show, and the signing of the memorandum of agreements for innovation programs.

With the theme “Innovative for Impact: Transforming Caraga’s Fishery, Agroforestry, Mining, and Ecotourism Economy through Science, Technology, and Innovation,” the weeklong celebration of the RSTW was held at Robinsons Butuan City, from June 06-09.

“So today, we gather to celebrate innovation, foster collaboration, and explore the vast potential of these advancements in transforming our society, especially the Caraga region. The primary aim is to promote the adoption of these technologies by showcasing their practical applications and benefits. By doing so, we can integrate these innovations into various industries, enhancing productivity and driving economic growth,” said Mary Grace T. Pulido, Science Research Specialist II of DOST Caraga.

The forum comprised a series of technology presentations from the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute, DOSTAdvanced Science and Technology Institute, DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center, DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development, and DOST-Forest Products Research Development Institute.

Pulido said that this forum provides a unique opportunity for businesses, government agencies, and academic institutions to see firsthand the transformative power of DOST-developed technologies.

One of the innovations presented at the forum was the Food on-the-road Innovation and Processing Facility (FoodtrIP) by DOST-ITDI, which aims to address food surplus in some areas of the country.

According to DOST-ITDI, the project is a Good Manufacturing Process (GMP)-compliant food processing facility on wheels, which allows for the development of viable commercial products from local vegetables, fruits, and crops.

This project, which was just completed this year, offers three modules for different sections and processing auxiliaries—frying, drying, and thermal processing. It is slated to launch a fourth module (aseptic module) in July.

Aside from FoodtrIP, the DOST-ITDI has also presented Halal cosmetics, Modular Multi-Industry Industry Innovation (MMIC), and Natural Fiber Thermoplastic Composites.

Other technologies featured were: Additive Manufacturing or 3D printing from the DOST-MIRDC; Resilient Education, Information, and Infrastructure for the New Normal (REIIN), Meteorological Data Acquisition Station for Information Dissemination (MASID) and HR Lite technology from the DOST-ASTI; Plant Foliar Fertilizer and the Radiated Engineered Hemostatic Agents from DOST-PNRI; Ready-to-eat foods for Disaster Resiliency, AquaVac, Heclomac, See You Doc Analytics, and CareGo Health Suite from DOST-PCHRD; Hand Tractor Attachment, Impeller Rice Mill, Goat Feed Pelletizing Machine, LAMP kit for Swine Diseases, Protein Enriched Copra Meal and Readyto-eat Chevon in pouches from DOST-PCAARRD; the Flavors and Fragrances from the Forest Technology program (F3TP) and the Silyang Pinoy technology to design and develop multifunction furniture from DOST-FPRDI.

Aside from the Commercial-ready Technologies forum, there were also sessions on Philippine Innovation, a food forum with culinary experts, and an additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence forum.