MANILA -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other government agencies on Wednesday presented various research and development (R&D) results during the National Research and Development Conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
These R&D results were funded by the DOST, and agencies such as the Department of Health, department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, among others.
Experts from different industries like food, pharmaceuticals, academe and agriculture presented a gist of their products or technologies.
The event carrying the theme, Harmonized R&D towards Accelerated National Growth and Prosperity", aims to promote collaboration in R&D and harmonize R&D agenda and priorities.
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), said the DOST continues to promote Filipino-developed technologies and help the researchers or inventors find investors willing to adopt the technology.
Some of these technologies were developed few years back, but still have no early adopters, he admitted.
"We have to consider if these are market-driven, if the (potential adopters) are interested," he said.
Dela Pena remarked that investors would not only spend less if they adopt locally-developed technologies.
"These are also more accessible, or are the only ones available. Other technologies or parts, for instance, would have to be sourced from abroad," he said.
Dela Pena cited as an example, the DOST-developed cacao roaster that refines ground cocoa powder to reduce the particle size, thus giving the tablea a smoother texture.
Locally fabricating this cacao roaster would cost PHP600,000, while imported ones would cost up to PHP1 million, according to DOST.
The said technology was developed in 2017. Since then, DOST has been encouraging fabricators to adopt this technology.
Last week, the DOST also promoted this technology in a forum held in Alabang, muntinlupa. DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute Food Processing Division supervisor, Ma. Dolor Villasenor, said the cacao roaster would address the problem in Philippine tablea, which she said has a gritty texture, has a burnt odor and taste, and is non-GMP compliant. (PNA)
