By Aira Juarez
Key players and game changers in the field of technology transfer and commercialization gathered at the Batangas State University last October 18 to participate in a one-day stakeholders’ forum organized by the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) in partnership with DOST Regional Office CALABARZON.
Participants from the academe, members of the LGU, regional line agencies and private sector listen to the presentation of each region regarding the status of technology transfer and commercialization in their area. (Photo by Mirielle Vacal)
In 2009, Republic Act 10055 or the “Philippine Technology Transfer Act” was enacted into law to ensure that world-class scientific, technological, and innovative solutions are delivered to the Filipino people. The law mandates the DOST to adopt appropriate policies and procedures to make government-funded technologies and innovations available to the public. Pursuant to this mandate, TAPI serves as the lead agency of the DOST in technology promotion and commercialization strategies.
With the goal of crafting a Philippine Agenda on Technology Transfer and Commercialization, participants from the academe, local government units, private sector, and members of regional line agencies in the National Capital Region and South Luzon area discussed issues that will improve the technology transfer protocol that the Philippines currently has.
The information derived from the forum may also be used by TAPI as a basis to improve and create programs and projects on technology transfer and commercialization.
Each region in the South Luzon cluster including the National Capital Region had the opportunity to present the current landscape of technology transfer, commercialization and promotion in their respective areas.
Engr. Francisco Barquilla III, Assitant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST CALABARZON said one of their observations in the region is that some technologies have low Technology Readiness Level assessment and are not yet ready for commercialization. They also experience limited training and promotion assistance by technology generators especially in the compliance of Fairness Opinion Report requirements.
DOST CALABARZON ARD for Technical Operations Engr. Francisco Barquilla presented the issues they encounter in Technology Development, Innovation and Protection, Technology Transfer and Commercialization and Promotion (Photo by Mirielle Vacal)
Likewise, Engr. Romelen Tresvalles of DOST-NCR said that one of the issues they face in Metro Manila is that some technologies are not yet mature for technology transfer and commercialization. Engr. Tresvalles also shared that some of these require high capitalization and investment costs.
"We also noticed that some technologies require high capitalization and investment costs for this to be commercialized so traditionally we would pitch some technologies for companies that are already existing and nandoon sa similar product line para ‘yung kanilang initial investments would not be ganoon kataas," Tresvalles added.
DOST-MIMAROPA represented by Mr. Carl Javate presented one of their suggestions to overcome this challenge is that to provide intervention in translating research and development outputs of the SUCs into commercialized technologies.
Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations of DOST Region V Ms. Ma. Theresa D. Alcantara also shared that they face the same issues in the Bicol Region and suggested that technologies be developed with an end-user in mind.
"We hope that the technologies generated by these different institutions are in answer to the needs of these MSMEs or the industry in the region. Ang amin pong region is still agri-based and aquatic-based unlike po sa mga highly industrialized regions like CALABARZON and NCR," ARD Alcantara said.
The activity is part of the Lakbay Teknolohiya para kay Juan at Juana: DOST Stakeholders’ Forum and Caravan in South Luzon, in conjunction with the celebration of the Regional Science and Technology Week in CALABARZON that was held last October 17-19 at the Batangas State University.
Promotion of DOST-commercialized technologies led by TAPI’s Institutional Support for Trade and Exhibition (ISTE) was conducted in the form of a three-day technology transfer exhibit at the Bat State U Gym. The technologies can help the business sector in the field of agricultural productivity, MSME competitiveness, IT development and quality healthcare.
The 25 technologies featured in the exhibit were Local Riding-Type Rice Transplanter, Mechanical Fruit Picker, Portable Mango Sprayer, Rice Combine Harvester, Rice Harvester Attachment (RHA) for Hand Tractors, Rice Transplanter Attachment (RTA) for Hand Tractors, Ride-On Precision Seeder for Wet Direct Seeding, Far-Infrared Grain Dryer, Automated Weather Station (AWS), Water Level Monitoring System (WLMS), Flood Early Warning Station - Disaster Early Warning System (DEWS), Tsunami Early Warning System (TEWS) - Alerting Station, AI4Mapping, Contactless Apprehension of Traffic Violators on a 24-hour basis and All-Vehicle Detection System (CATCH-ALL), Salt Iodizing Machine, Spray Drying Technology, Chitosan CaCO₃ Composite (4C) Technology for Oil Spill Remediation, Industry-scalable Natural Dyes, Biotek M Dengue Detection Kit (SPIN OFF COMPANY - MTek), Community Health Information Tracking System (CHITS) (SPIN OFF COMPANY - Pivotal Peak), Akapulko lotion, Lagundi syrup, Sambong tablet, Tsaang Gubat tablet and Yerba Buena tablet.
Students flocked at the Batangas State University Gymnasium to join the activities during the DOST CALABARZON Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW)
Meanwhile, nine technologies including Portable Mango Sprayer, Far-Infrared Grain Dryer, Automated Weather Station (AWS), Water Level Monitoring System (WLMS), Spray Drying Technology, Chitosan CaCO₃ Composite (4C) Technology for Oil Spill Remediation, Industry-scalable Natural Dyes, Biotek M Dengue Detection Kit (SPIN OFF COMPANY - MTek) and Akapulko lotion were featured in the Business-to-Business Meeting. Technology generators were given the opportunity to pitch their technologies to the business sector. Officials from the PCCI South Luzon headed by Area Vice President Ms. Sallie Lacson expressed their interest in some of the technologies.
To know more about programs on technology transfer and commercialization initiated by TAPI, please call (632) 8837 2071 local 2151 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
