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Technopreneurs from the island provinces of MIMAROPA learned the basics of online selling that could position their products better in the local and even the global market in a forum organized by the Department of Science and Technology-Region IV-B (DOST-IV-B).


Dubbed “e-Marketing: Bridging island products to the mainstream,” the activity is part of the regional agency’s efforts to further support the adoptors of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP)—the DOST program that provides a package of intervention, including interest and collateral-free funding for technology upgrades to micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs).


Sheila Lina, president and CEO of Air21 Global, the company behind the online store Shopinas.com, freely shared to the SETUP adoptors the basics of online selling. She discussed at length that, in setting up an online store, one needs to invest in time, technical team, money, and project management. To balance her discussion, she also laid down several possible issues that an entrepreneur may face in online selling, such as the challenge of creating online traffic for the website and possible credit card fraud from unscrupulous buyers.


In addition, Lina assured that online selling platforms such as Shopinas.com are advantageous because they help minimize the costs in establishing an online store. These platforms also offer protection for both the buyer and the seller in online transactions. (Luisa S. Lumioan, S&T Media Service)



Sheila Lina, President and CEO of Air21Global, discusses how technopreneurs can take advantage of the internet in marketing their products in a DOST-sponsored activity held last August 27, at Traders Hotel.

Sheila Lina, President and CEO of Air21Global, discusses how technopreneurs can take advantage of the internet in marketing their products in a DOST-sponsored activity held last August 27, at Traders Hotel.

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For 10 years now, the furniture products of Dahile Bamboo Workers’ Association (DABAWA) in Brgy. Dahile, Mabinay, Negros Oriental have been producing sala sets and lounge chairs in basic designs. To help improve and expand their product line, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) conducted a training on furniture and handicraft making last month through the invitation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Region 7 and the local government of Dumaguete City.

“Male participants were taught how to assemble furniture pieces such as bed, center table, sofas and lounge chairs using improved designs. The female attendees, meanwhile, were trained on making bamboo novelty items,” said Zenaida R. Reyes, FPRDI Training Coordinator.

Meanwhile, participants learned about bamboo treatment and seasoning, product development and finishing techniques, among others, from the lecture of Engr. Victor G. Revilleza, senior science research specialist at FPRDI’s Technology Innovation Division (TID).

“Before the training, the craftsmen used nails to fasten bamboo slats. This technique usually makes the slats prone to cracking. Though the training, the craftsmen learned to use cord instead to strengthen the furniture,” added Reyes.




Participants working on a bamboo sofa
Participants working on a bamboo sofa.



Mr. Eduardo M. Atienza (in black) of the Technology Innovation Division demonstrates basic finishing techniques to the participants.
Mr. Eduardo M. Atienza (in black) of the Technology Innovation Division demonstrates basic finishing techniques to the participants.


Some bamboo pieces assembled by the participants. Some bamboo pieces assembled by the participants.
Some bamboo pieces assembled by the participants.


The training course was attended by 44 participants and was part of DOST VII’s Program on Poverty Alleviation in Central Visayas, particularly in the Municipality of Mabinay. Talks are now brewing for a follow-up training course on bamboo pole treatment and drying.

Negros Oriental currently hosts the biggest bamboo nursery in the Philippines and is being developed by the Philippine Bamboo Foundation, Inc. as the country’s “center of bamboo propagation and development.” ###

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The Department of Science and Technology recently formalized cooperation with several partners to lead a coaching program that will help push the export potential and capability of the country’s metals and engineering sector. Partnering with DOST and its lead agency in metals and engineering (M&E) research, the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), are the Philippine Export Confederation (Philexport) National, Philexport Cebu, and the Center for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI).

The cooperation was formalized in the signing of MOU and MOA held 09 Sept at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Signatories of the the MOU and MOA were Sec. Mario Montejo and Asst. Secretary Roberto Dizon representing DOST, Sergio Ortiz Luis representing Philexport National, Dr. Venus Genson representing Philexport Cebu, and Ambassador Ank Willems, deputy head of mission of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Philippines, representing CBI.

The two-fold cooperation as spelled out in the Memorandum of Understanding and Memorandum of Agreement among said institutions involved assistance to local M&E sector to be able to tap the European and other regional markets in the context of CBI’s Metalworking Asia – Philippines program. It also involved the implementation of a business support organization development (BSOD) program to strengthen relevant organizations for sustainable export development activities. The BSOD program consists of several institutional support modules tailored to the specific needs of selected organizations, countries, and sectors.

The firms to undergo the coaching program will be geared to join Asian trades first before embarking into European market, according to Ortiz Luis.

The MOA and MOU likewise laid down DOST’s role as the provider of technical assistance and counterpart funds, MIRDC as the program manager and oversight body, and Philexport National as the champion of the program. Meanwhile, Philexport Cebu will lead the conduct of audits, and CBI will provide technical assistance, consultancies, and access to European trade fairs and exhibits. The coaching program will also use CBI modules.

Bullish economy is a welcome sign
“We are taking advantage of (the country’s) bullish environment to push the agenda of the M&E sector,“ explained Ortiz Luis, referring to the positive and raving economic reviews on the Philippines which posted a seven percent growth for the last four quarters.

With a forecast of 7.5 percent expansion that matches China, the Philippines is now recognized as the fastest growing economy in Asia. According to Ortiz Luis, such performance will generate renewed economic interest in the country, fastracking infrastructure and reviving the manufacturing sector.

“We have high hopes for MakiBayan initiated by DOST. Through this program, we hope to have access to technologies vital to the M&E sector,” said Ortiz Luis. MakiBayan refers to DOST’s program called Makina at Teknolohiya para sa Bayan for the metalworks, machinery, and electronics industries, including the academe, to share technologies, expertise, skills, manpower, and facilities among the partners.

Cooperation to prop up metals industry
Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said that this cooperation aims to support the principal stakeholders of the metals industry. “DOST will come up with science-based solutions to improve the competitiveness of the country’s M&E industry,” said Sec. Montejo.

“(The cooperation) is a milestone for the DOST, a bold step that I am optimistic about,” he said. “The M&E industry has a very wide scope that includes DOST’s priority concerns such as disaster management, climate change, traffic, malnutrition, advanced transport systems, advanced manufacturing, and others.”

Sec. Montejo enthuses that this cooperative will result in a much-vibrant M&E sector with improved export potential and capability. “This is a proof that technologies developed by Filipinos are definitely world-class,“ he said.

Ortiz Luis was equally enthusiastic about the DOST’s testing facility called ADMATEL, short for Advanced Device and Materials Testing Laboratory, and the upcoming P300 million establishment for the electronics sector, also to be built in the DOST compound in Bicutan, Taguig City.

Said facilities are designed to meet the manufacturing needs of the M&E, electronics, and microelectronics industries, among others, so that they will no longer send their machines abroad for testing. This saves every company thousands of dollars for testing and shipping costs.

Meanwhile, Netherlands Ambassador Willems looks forward to the end of 2017 when the project is expected “to increase export turnover by four million euros and companies will sustain additional growth of five million euros.”



DOST Sec. Mario Montejo (middle) with Philippine Export Confederation President Sergio Ortiz Luis, Jr (left) and Netherlands Ambassador Ank Willems ink accord to work together in a coaching program that will help push the export potential and capability of the country’s metals and engineering sector. (Photo by Framelia V. Anonas, S&T Media Service, DOST-STII)

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An eminent member of the Philippine scientific community, National Scientist and Academician Ernesto O. Domingo, is among this year’s roster of Ramon Magsaysay awardees. Side-by-side with other equally competent Asian achievers, Dr. Domingo received the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay Award during ceremonies held at the Philippine International Convention Center last August 31, 2013.

 

Domingo, an advocate of universal health care and involved with major health research activities, is the latest Filipino to be chosen among Asia’s most brilliant and selfless achievers to receive the prestigious award considered by many as Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize.

 

Elected in 1992 to the National Academy of Science and Technology, an advisory body of the Department of Science and Technology, Domingo was chosen by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) for “his exemplary embrace of the social mission of medical science and his profession, his steadfast leadership in pursuing ‘health for all’ as a shared moral responsibility of all sectors, and his groundbreaking and successful advocacy for neonatal hepatitis vaccination, thereby saving millions of lives in the Philippines.”

 

His numerous achievements and resolve to help find solutions to pressing problems in medicine, are indicative of a sterling career that helped shape the local medical community.

 

After earning his degree from the University of the Philippines Manila in 1961, Domingo specialized in internal medicine at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) with a subspecialty in gastroenterology hepatology at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1967, he joined the faculty of the UP Manila (UPM) College of Medicine.

 

Among his most outstanding scientific contributions are: elucidation of the nature of schistosome granuloma and its role in hepatosplenic disease, the pathophysiology of hepatosplemic Schistosomiasis japonica in humans, the epidemiology and control of Hepatitis B and the pathophysiology, clinical behavior and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in Filipinos.

 

In particular, he organized and led UPM’s Liver Study Group in undertaking major studies on viral hepatitis including Hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and G, and developing technologies associated with the disease. Among these are the rapid epidemiologic assessment for HbeAG positive individuals, production of diagnostic reagents for the testing of Hepatitis B virus carrier individuals, and microparticle agglutination test for Hepatitis.

 

Findings from his researches, which saw print in a total of 120 original research papers published locally and abroad, became important material for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs by both the private sector and Department of Health, for Hepatitis B immunization and routine Hepatitis B and C screening of blood for transfusion.

 

Domingo was also instrumental in the creation and implementation of the clinical fellowship program of PGH’s clinical departments and the formation of the Clinical Epidemiology Unit. As Chancellor, he also played a major role in the reorganization of UPM in the late 1980s which eventually paved the way for the creation of the Institutes of Socio-Biomedical Research which later became the National Institutes of Health.

 

In May 2010, Domingo received the Order of National Scientist, the highest award given to a Filipino scientist by the Philippine government.

 

The rest of the 2013 Ramon Magsaysay awardees are Lahpai Seng Raw from Myanmar, Habiba Sarabi from Afghanistan, Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi (Corruption Eradication Commission) from Indonesia, and Shakti Samuha (“Power Group”) from Nepal.

 

They will be presented with their awards, certificates, medallions and prizes in a special ceremony to be held on August 31, 2013 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

 

National Scientist Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo

National Scientist Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo

2013 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee