DOST features “Kaayusan” and “Kinabukasan” R&D breakthroughs in Day 2 of 6th NRDC
ON the second day of the 6th National Research and Development Conference (NRDC), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) unveiled innovation breakthroughs set to aid the country’s “kaayusan” and “kinabukasan” development goals.
Held on November 17, 2021, the online event drew in an audience beyond the science community, with members of industry, the academe, local government units, and other stakeholders in attendance to learn about the outputs of R&D designed to support the country during the pandemic and to prepare for the new normal.
Themed: “Pananaliksik at Pagpapaunlad: Daan Tungo sa Pagbangon (Road to Recovery through R&D)”, the event is organized in partnership with: the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Health (DOH), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The second day of the event opened with a message from DND Secretary Delfin Lorenzana with a discussion about Insights on the government’s efforts on Law and Order amidst the Pandemic for the “Kaayusan” goals. Innovative defense technologies were also introduced such as the Urban Fire Hazard Mapping and Fire Spread Modeling from the University of Cebu and Project BUHAWI – Building a Universal-Mount for Heavy Barrel Automated Weapon Integration from the Philippine Navy in partnership with the DOST Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC).
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones discussed Insights on the government’s efforts on Providing Basic Education amidst COVID-19, solidifying the country’s development goals for the future generation. Drug development drawn from the country’s biodiversity was highlighted with the presentation from Ms. Irene A. Papa of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños (BIOTECH-UPLB).
R&D Programs aimed at protecting and cleaning the environment were introduced by Jon Alfonso P. Horvidalla of the DENR by discussing the threats of Microplastics to Philippine Treasures.
“The pandemic presents complex problems that require novel solutions. Our hopes for a robust economy, a strong health system and improved quality of life for every Filipino is made possible through the outputs of R&D. The works of our science community in consonance with the goals of the Harmonized National Research & Development Agenda (HNRDA) for 2022-2028 are presented to the public with the hope that everyone will realize the value of R&D in socioeconomic development,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.
The DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) introduced technological breakthroughs in disaster risk reduction and management with Project ULAT or Understanding Lightning and Thunderstorms for Extreme Weather Monitoring and Information Sharing.
Using a dense sensor network, a satellite antenna, and various scientific devices, the system would collect nationwide data on lightning frequency, weather parameters, and cloud structure to generate precise estimates of typhoon and thunderstorm behaviors as they occur.
For those who wish to access the presentations in the event, they may go to the DOST-NRDC Website at http://nrdc.dost.gov.ph/. They may also watch it again at the NRDC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dostnrdc.
