‘The Future We Want’ — Attaining SDGs thru 2019 NSTW showcase

ITDI features in three cluster goals

In a strong and loud voice of real support to protection and improvement of human life and environment, DOST is carrying the baton to build “The Future We Want” through its annual National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) exhibition of its innovated technologies to be held on July 17-21, 2019 at the World Trade Center-Metro Manila, Pasay City.

The tagline, lifted from the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (RIO+20) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is still carried on years later as the world aimed to attain the eight Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. After the date, the MDGs were expanded to 17 Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs to be attained by 2030 as follows:

1. No Poverty;
2. No Hunger;
3. Good Health and Well-being;
4. Quality Education;
5. Gender Equality;
6. Clean Water and Sanitation;
7. Affordable and Clean Energy;
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth;
9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure;
10. Reducing Inequality;
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities;
12. Responsible Consumption and Production;
13. Climate Action;
14. Life Below Water;
15. Life On Land;
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions; and
17. Partnerships for the Goals

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Albeit tough and longer, the SDG list is slowly being whittled down as the Department and its 20 line agencies prepare for its annual five-day exhibition.

Themed as “Science for the People: Enabling Technologies for Sustainable Development,” this year’s event puts on display recently developed technologies and products. These are results of intensive and exhaustive research and development (R&D) efforts of DOST’s Research and Development Institutes such as the Industrial Technology and Development Institute or ITDI.

Designed to enhance quality of all life forms and safeguard the environment that supports it, these technologies and products tackle ways to attain the SDGs and its thematic concerns on water, energy, climate, oceans,  urbanization, transport, and science and technology.

DOST hence will transform the 11,300 m² of adjoining indoor exhibition space of the WTCMM into eight exhibition clusters, with each cluster showing technologies, learning resources, and services that support several SDGs.

Two exhibition clusters will flank on each side the stage and performing area, namely, the Resilience and Innovation cluster on its left side which focuses on SDG Nos. 9, 11, and 13, and the International Linkages cluster on the other side – SDG Nos. 10 and 17.

Down the entire left length of the floor area will be lined two others. These are the Sustainable Cities and Communities cluster – SDG Nos. 6 and 11, and the Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of Biological Resources – SDG Nos. 14 and 15.

At the middle row are the Equity and Growth in the Countryside cluster – SDG Nos. 1, 8, and 16, and the Food Security, Energy, and Environment – SDG Nos. 7, 9, and 12.

Finally, the entire right area will contain the Aging Society, Health, and Medical Care

cluster – SDG Nos. 2 and 3, and the S&T Human Resource Development – SDG Nos. 4 and 5.

At ITDI, 21 of its technologies and products have been selected to be featured in three exhibit clusters, namely, Cluster 1 – Food Security, Energy, and Environment; Cluster 2 – Aging Society, Health, and Medical Care; and Cluster 7 – Resilience and Innovation.

The former cluster is led by DOST-PCIEERD and is envisioned to be a futuristic park that will be filled with eye-catching displays on affordable and clean energy, as well as, innovative, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure and devices. Here, ITDI lists nanocomposite geomembrane for environmental application, solar biomass for heat application, biomass-fired steam kettle equipment design for coconut water processing, abaca fiber-reinforced composite for boats, and energy audit survey and analysis for energy conservation in buildings.

On the other hand, the health cluster exhibit will be represented in the shape of a human body that will highlight technologies, services, and studies that emphasize how these interventions have helped enhance and extend quality of life of Filipinos, especially aging individuals.

Here, ITDI will put on display hard carageenan capsule from red seaweeds, high dietary fiber from calamansi waste, MOSYMU natural anti-diabetic health supplement, slimming cream in a fat-burner cream, natural-based analgesic balm, cassava resistant starch for dietary application, natural mosquito repellant lotion against dengue fever, food-related chemical and biological metrology, and emergency food reserve.

Finally, the last cluster will highlight how the services and projects of ITDI and other agencies contribute to safer and resilient communities. Listed here are ITDI’s ready-to-eat (RTE) arroz caldo, RTE cassava in syrup, RTE sweet potato, RTE smoked fish meal, collapsible toilet bowl for emergency/ disaster operations, emergency food reserve, and emergency disinfection system.

Currently, more and more people regard the NSTW as venue for science buffs, technology generators and investors, S&T service providers, and public to come together and pursue mutually beneficial opportunities in technology commercialization and linkages.

This year it offers green, socially responsible, and sustainable technologies as well as services that are reactive to real needs of a greater number of Filipinos.

Admission to the exhibits is FREE. It is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

NSTW is celebrated every third week of July through Proclamation No. 169 of 1993 to highlight significant contributions of S&T to national development. (AMGuevarra\\ ITDI S&T Media Service)