DOST-NCR Puts Filipino-developed Technologies and Innovations on Display in Taguig STI Fair

The troublesome weather did not put a damper to the Department of Science and Technology-National Capital Region’s celebration of its Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week, nor did it deter the crowd from visiting the fair which was held from August 30-31, 2023 at the SM Aura Mall, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

An annual celebration organized by DOST’s 16 Regional Offices as prelude to the National Science and Technology Week, the RSTW showcases Filipino made technologies and research that offer the best solutions to national and region-specific problems.

Most of the techno-exhibits on display were interactive, drawing groups of students to the booths of the Cayetano Science Robotics Team, and the Augmented Reality Terrain/Flood Simulator of DOST-PAGASA. There was also a bazaar featuring products of companies and organizations that have been assisted through the Department’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and the Community Empowerment Thru Science and Technology (CEST) program.

In keeping with this year’s RSTW theme of “Siyensya, Teknolohiya at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa at Panatag na kinabukasan,” the DOST-NCR launched projects that will benefit various socio-economic groups from different Metro Manila communities. To provide livelihood opportunities, three technologies from the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (Synthetic and Tie-dyeing Technology, Handloom Weaving Technology, and Tapestry Woven Fabric Production) will be deployed for the wards of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-Quezon City, the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, and the Kababaihang Maabilidad at Organisado of Marikina City.

A Catfish Farming Technology that was developed in the Saxonylyn Scifish Farm in General Santos City will be deployed to a solo parent group from Barangay Balangkas in Valenzuela City. To help solve NCR’s pollution problem, DOST-NCR and Pasay City are partnering in a project that supports the operation of electric tricycles through a fast-charging technology system called Charging in Minutes or CharM that reduces charging time to less than an hour from the usual four to six hours. Recognizing the role of teachers in disaster response, teachers from 16 NCR Schools Division Offices will be trained in Disaster Risk Reduction Management, geological and hydrometeorological hazards, and pedagogical and assessment strategies under a DOST-NCR and Philippine Normal University joint project.

Taguig City is the initial beneficiary of two projects: deployment of the Mobile Command and Control Vehicle (MOCCOV) with triage technology, which is expected to strengthen the city’s disaster preparedness and post-disaster recovery efforts, and the establishment of an Interactive Science Education Complex and State of the Art Science Laboratory (ISEC-SAS Lab) at the Taguig National High School.

Two DOST programs were likewise introduced to the public during the RSTW: Industry Clustering, which is a strategy for regional economic development; and the Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development or iSTART Program aimed at developing S&T Plans for cities based on their development needs and gaps.

Forums for specific interest groups were also held during the fair, including an S&T Talk, HerStory: Women in Science, Innovation Congress, and Industry Reverse Pitching, which was capped by a Stakeholders Night where DOST-NCR acknowledged its partners and clients for supporting the Agency’s endeavors through the years.

The DOST-NCR moved the 3rd day of the RSTW to September 13 and 14 due to the occurrence of the typhoon. Activities for the said dates will be the ScienceQuest Quiz Contest, Forum on Climate Change, and Forum on Structural Audit.

The RSTW in NCR is staged annually in different cities in Metro Manila.

By: Aurora Marcelo, SCCU