ILOILO City – Regional Director Rowen R. Gelonga of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shared various science and technology (S&T) support opportunities related to “The Road to Recovery Program” during an interview with the Presidential Communications Operations Office’s (PCCO) Bing Kimpo.
Joining Gelonga in the interview was DOST Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Director Anabelle Briones. Both discussed the various DOST programs and services and how they can help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) both at the national and regional level, particularly in areas with big contributions to the economy, and areas of opportunity for collaboration between DOST and the private sector.
On the part of DOST-6, Gelonga shared and emphasized the big contribution of agriculture, tourism, and the industry sector in Western Visayas.
DOST, particularly in the regional level, focuses on adding value to the enhancement of marketability of the product in order to further boost the economy through the Small Enterprise Upgrading Program (SETUP) being implemented in every Western Visayas province.
According to Gelonga, regional S&T support is also focused on leveling up the promotion and conduct of different research activities.
Currently, Western Visayas has notable research facilities such as the Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development at University of San Agustin which is envisioned to become the biotech and natural drug discovery hub, and the Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) which is the first micro-scale yarn spinning facility established in Miag-ao, Iloilo.
He further highlights other productive S&T collaborations with the private sectors such as the projects with Metallica Marine Consultancy, Fabrication, and Services on the Hybrid Trimaran in Aklan, RU Foundry, and Machine Shop Corporation on the commercialization of the 12HP single-cylinder diesel engine (SCDE), and Herbanext Laboratories, Inc. as the first industry partner of the DOST-PCHRD’s Tuklas Lunas Program and the first beneficiary of DOST’s Business Innovation through S&T Program./PN
