Most technologies developed by the Department of Science and Technology use local raw materials that went through innovations in terms of product or process improvements, making them distinct from their commercial counterparts.
“These government-developed technologies are designed to factor in the social, economic, and environmental benefits,” revealed Nelia Florendo, chief of the Technical Services Division of the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), when asked on the edge of their developed technologies over some of the commercial ones.
Another advantage of local technologies is their low cost compared with the commercial ones that are often imported. The technologies are made of locally-sourced raw materials which are readily available in the country.
DOST-ITDI also developed technologies that are responsive to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
“DOST-ITDI’s competent research teams, some of whom obtained their degrees abroad, use modern facilities in technology development,” Florendo added.
The Institute has been the Department’s lead agency in developing technologies useful for both enterprises and at the environment.
In the recent DOST-ITDI series of technology offering forums, almost a hundred industries expressed interest to adopt and collaborate. Among the technologies presented in the forum series were food technologies, food processing technologies, health and wellness, green engineering, and advanced technology which are available for transfer or licensing to interested entrepreneurs.
“We need the help of the people from the industry so that every Juan and Juana will make use and benefit from the technologies we have developed, ”DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara appealed to participants who mostly came from the industry.
Guevara recounted that some clients wanted to avail of the DOST-developed technology, but were not yet ready to take them on.
To assist these businesses to jump from “we’re not yet ready” to “ready” mode and improve their facilities and production processes are DOST’s regional offices and facilities, said Usec. Guevara.
In the last five years, more businesses and local government units in Zamboanga, Butuan, Negros, Batangas, Camarines, Quezon, Ilocos, and even in Metro Manila area (Parañaque and Navotas), among others, have used DOST-ITDI technologies, especially in their livelihood and environmental programs. Among the commonly availed technologies are the bioreactor, plastic densifier, wine kit, and food-related technologies.
Growing local companies such as Splash Foods Corporation, Sally’s Authentic Bicol Express, House of Polvoron, Jennie’s Pork Chicharon, Navarro Foods International, Inc., Carreon’s Sweets & Pastries, Zambo Tropical Foods, Trappist Monastic Food Products, and host of others have also availed or worked in partnership with the DOST-ITDI.
The technology offering series of DOST-ITDI gave R&D teams and their public and industry stakeholders a venue to showcase and learn from each other. Their technology transfer team assessed and clustered its 27 technologies that demonstrated market potential. Six technologies have shown to be popular among the private sector clients, namely ready-to-eat chicken arrozcaldo; nipa sap sugar; analgesic balm; drum-dried banana, macapuno and mango flakes; vacuum-fried banana, squash, carrots and jackfruit; and slimming cream.
In the last five years, DOST-ITDI completed 152 research and development projects in chemicals and energy, environmental and biotechnology, foods, materials science, and packaging. Some of the technologies which have been adopted include the OL trap, vinegar acetator kit, bioreactor, styro-plastic densifier, gasifier combustor, wine kit, calamansi processing, ceramic water filter, and food processing equipment.
Aside from developing ready-to-transfer technologies, DOST-ITDI has been providing technical assistance to the Filipino industries for many years now, from product packaging to product development, such as packaging R&D, process improvement, cleaner production, plant layout, test and analysis, waste treatment, and many other technical services which have resulted in increased production volume and productivity.
For more information on DOST-ITDI services and technologies, click on http://www.itdi.dost.gov.ph/.
Nelia Florendo, chief of DOST-ITDI Technical Service Division. (Photo by Henry A. De Leon, DOST-STII).
DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development encourages industry and non-industry participants to help the Department in cascading DOST-developed technologies to the people who will benefit most from said technologies. (Photo by Ceajay N. Valerio, DOST-STII).
One of the more popularly adopted technology is the analgesic balm that makes use of local plant materials. (Photo from DOST-STII).
The ready-to-eat arrozcaldo is one of the most potentially adopted technologies.
DOST-ITDI technology experts during the Green Technology Forum (from left to right) Engr. Apollo Victor O. Bawagan, Engr. Reynaldo L. Esguerra, Dr. Myra L. Tansengco, Dr. Emelda A. Ongo, and Dr. Marissa A. Paglicawan. (Photo by Ceajay N. Valerio, DOST-STII).
