CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union - The Department of Science and Technology Region I (DOST-I), together with DZAG Radyo Pilipinas Agoo, featured the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) winners on their weekly radio program titled Tekno Presyensya: Syensya ken Teknolohiya para kadagiti Umili, last 7 July 2022.
The program's first segment showcased the accomplishments of the regional and provincial S&T offices in the areas of Kabuhayan, Kaayusan, Kalusugan, and Kinabukasan.
Pn the other hand, Eilleen Fernando of the DOST- Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) gave a general description of NICE, its categories, and how it differs from the biennial Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE).
As testimonial to the importance of the contest, Prof. Zaldy Fernandez of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), who won the UNLAD AWARD for Outstanding Utility Model, shared his experience about the development of his Multi-Fuel Dryer.
The term "multi-fuel dryer" refers, broadly speaking, to dryer equipment or machines that use a variety of fuels, including wood, charcoal, sawdust, rice hulls, maize stalks, sugarcane stalks, coconut shells, and the like. The aforementioned tool is used to dry fish, fruits, cereals, leaves (including malunggay and tobacco leaves), garments, and baked goods. Although it is built, constructed, and manufactured as a dryer, it can also serve as an oven and/or a multi-fuel dryer to process various materials via heat convection.
On the other hand, Charissa de Vera, a faculty researcher at the Pangasinan State University (PSU) discussed their team’s winning entry under the Creative Research Category that won the 3rd place. Their winning entry titled, "Optimization of Mung bean milk-based Mango Beverage”, is a lactose-free, milk-based drink derived from a blend of mungbean and mango.
According to the researcher, the team not innovate the products on the first try; rather, they underwent several trials and mistakes to polish and achieve the greatest output possible.
Both guests also shared their difficult journeys and revealed the secrets of their success that included determination, devotion, commitment, and compassion.
During the program, DOST Region I hailed the contest winners for their innovativeness and creativity lead and encouraged budding inventors to first participate in RICE next year, and if their entries win, they can aim for national recognition under NICE in 2024. (By Carla Joyce B. Cajala, DOST-I)
