Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) executive director Enrico Paringit (File photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) on Tuesday bared at least eight projects for the "new normal" that it will be funding this year.
"These projects will enable (people) to rise up to the 'new normal.' The technologies to be developed under these projects will create new or enhance existing industries and businesses; contribute to the economy and bring value to society," PCIEERD executive director Enrico Paringit told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
He said the PCIEERD has allocated PHP1.7 billion to fund 238 projects this year. "Not all (of the 238) were developed to address the 'new normal,' but they should be able to implement their projects even with the pandemic still looming," Paringit clarified.
"The pandemic is still there. There could be surges from other variants. The researchers should be able to consider these risks in planning activities," he pointed out.
In a webinar, PCIEERD presented the following approved projects:
1. AeroComp: Enhanced Lightweight Fiber-reinforced Composites Structures for Defense Applications by Eduardo Magdaluyo of the University of the Philippines Diliman - Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. This aims to find a cost-effective alternative to ballistic protective materials used by the armed forces through the use of fiber-reinforced polymer.
The PCIEERD executive said this project aims to develop a vest using bamboo fiber material. Because this is a new industry, it would create new jobs, he said.
2. Project AutoLABS: RFID-based Automated Equipment Borrowing and Management System with Mobile App Reservation for School Laboratories by Davie Jone Niverca of Adamson University. This is an automated logistics management system designed for the school setting.
Paringit said this will boost the productivity of students since they would no longer have to wait in long queues.
3. Development of Platform for Short Range, Heavy Payload, Multi-Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) by Engr. Arnaldo Gutierrez of Holy Angel University. This aims to develop an unmanned aircraft system specializing in the transport of essential goods and supplies for emergency situations and in far flung areas.
"Unmanned aerial vehicle is a tool for the military for civic and military operations. This can be used in rescue (operations) and in delivering relief goods," Paringit said.
4. Development and Institutionalization of DOST Foresight Framework and Protocol by Mia Barbara Aranas of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST-PCAARRD). It aims to institutionalize a foresight framework protocol that would monitor and strategize incoming trends in science and emerging technologies.
"It's a technology foresight. It will help (the DOST) cast its R&D (research and development) programs and prospects better. We can be more sure of our reasons why we need to support the technologies," Paringit said.
5. Establishment of AI Research Center for Community Development (AIRCoDE) by Joseph Onate of the Camarines Sur Polytechnic College. This seeks to establish an artificial intelligence research laboratory where AI enthusiasts, faculty, and students can study and research about deep learning, and computer vision.
6. Establishment of Mindanao Natural (MinNa) Language Processing (LProc) Research and Development Laboratory by Kristine Mae Adlaon of the University of the Immaculate Conception. The facility seeks to be the library of "endangered languages "in the region. The project is centered on the production of ethnographies of indigenous peoples of the Philippines, whose’ languages are slowly dying out for fear of discrimination.
"This is part of PCIEERD's support for technologies for preserving cultural heritage and identity as a people," Paringit commented.
7. Establishment of IoT Research Laboratory and Training Center by Engr. Mariciel Marcial-Teogangco of the University of the Perpetual Help System DALTA. This focuses on the Internet of Things which can provide the environment needed to simulate the implementation of IoT.
Paringit said there is a need for an IoT facility that would champion IoT applications. "The more IoT devices being used, the more data could be generated. Thus, better information could be shared to those whose job is to oversee and plan," he said.
8. Proposed Installation Of AGT in Bataan Peninsula State University-Main Campus (As Laboratory facility of the Proposed Railway Engineering Program and Existing Engineering Programs) by Nelson Andres of the Bataan Peninsula State University. The proposal aims to run and operate the Department of Science and Technology-donated AGT coaches inside the BPSU campus. The project will also serve as a laboratory for the proposed railway engineering program of the university.
"This will ensure continuity of the Philippine-made rail program. With the challenges in energy and transportation, developing technologies will go a long way in assuring affordable and safe mobility solutions," Paringit said.
Meanwhile, Paringit said the PCIEERD is continuously looking for technology solutions and innovations, to aid the public in the "new normal". (PNA)
