Researchers and inventors from the Davao Region claimed top honors at the 2025 Mindanao Invention Contest, winning major awards for groundbreaking technologies in agriculture and health, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) announced.
The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) led the victories, securing two prestigious national awards. Their Mechanical Coconut Climber, a patented device designed to make harvesting safer for farmers, won the Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention. Additionally, their ZAPPIFY, an Internet of Things (IoT)-based pest management system for rice fields, received the Likha Award for Outstanding Government-Funded Creative Research.
In the student category, April Anne L. Viño from New Bataan National High School in Davao de Oro won the Sibol Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research for her study on the antidiabetic and livelihood potential of the hibiscus plant.
The winning projects address critical community challenges. The Mechanical Coconut Climber, developed by a USeP team led by Dr. Roger Montepio, provides a safer and more efficient alternative to the dangerous practice of climbing tall coconut trees. ZAPPIFY helps rice farmers reduce pesticide use by using an automated, light-based system to monitor and control pests remotely.
Dr. Anthony C. Sales, DOST Davao Regional Director, praised the winners. “These innovations show how Science and Innovation can make a real difference in communities,” he said. “Their success reflects the growing innovation culture in the region.”
The contest, organized by the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI), was held at the Philippine Science High School–Central Mindanao Campus in Balo-i, Lanao del Norte. All winners from the Mindanao cluster will now advance to the National Invention Contest and Exhibit (NICE) to compete against the best inventors from across the Philippines.#
