Health Cluster booth wins People’s Choice Award
The 2023 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) is carving out a historical first.
It broke the mold of annually celebrating the science week in the National Capital Region with DOST Region VI playing host to the year’s event. From here on, other DOST regional offices will take turns in hosting the NSTW in the coming years.
Themed as “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” NSTW was held in Iloilo City from November 22-26, 2023 where research advances on creating and protecting our blue resources took center stage.
The Health Cluster Exhibit which was put together by ITDI, PCHRD, FNRI, and PNRI won over the visiting public and was cited as one of the Top 3 Best S&T Exhibit Booths and further winning the People’s Choice Award.
The booth showcased an archipelagic Philippines emphasizing environmental and marine protection researches, and how these innovations can address the health challenges being faced by the country today.
ITDI featured seven innovative technologies that are mindful of their environmental footprint. These include:
1.Patient-specific 3D-printed bone implants that enable complete restoration;
2.Compact wastewater treatment system of dimensions suitable for use by quick service restaurants and MSMEs with limited space;
3.SafeWatrs which is an upgraded water disinfection system; and
4.Halal cosmetics and personal care products that use raw materials that conform to the MS 2200-1 (2008): Islamic Consumer Goods – Part 1: Cosmetic and Personal Care – General Guidelines, such as shampoos (bar, clay, and liquid forms), bar soap for dry skin, lip balm, and moisturizing lipstick.
With the awards, ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones expressed her ” … appreciation of the Institute’s efforts to keep abreast of the priority needs of the country, aligning our products and services to foster inclusive development that provides livelihood opportunities while promoting protection of our blue economy.”
With the announcement of Science Chief Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. that the science week will continue to be held in the regions every year, the public can expect to see more homegrown researches from various local state universities and colleges (SUCs).
In an interview by a daily paper, Solidum said that “… DOST aims to make NSTW a platform for industry players, scientists, researchers, and policymakers to exchange ideas and work together in achieving inclusive development in their respective communities.”
Meanwhile, the regional S&T celebrations in different provinces were held from August to November and culminated in the 2023 NSTW in Iloilo City.
Under Proclamation 169, NSTW was celebrated every third week of July since 1993 until 2019. In August 2019, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed Proclamation 780 which moved the celebration of the science week to the fourth week of November. The date change aimed to ensure maximum participation from schools, students, stakeholders, the business sector, and the public in line with the academic calendar. (AMGuevarra\ ITDI S&T Media Service)
