2015 S&T events aim to boost competitiveness of Davao Region’s industries

DAVAO CITY, Feb. 06 (PIA) – The National Economic and Development Authority in the region has announced several science and technology events lined up for this year, which are aimed at increasing the innovativeness and competitiveness of the industries in the region.

NEDA-XI Regional Director Maria Lourdes Lim cited the establishment of a “Halal” Laboratory to be housed at the Technology Innovation and Packaging Development Center of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST XI) in Dumanlas, Davao City.

“This initiative is in preparation to the ASEAN Economic Integration, which is a national directive of DOST to establish Halal Centers in major cities of the country,” Lim stated in her presentation during a recent press briefing of the Regional Development Council (RDC-XI).

In March 2015, a National Science Tour is set to be undertaken where hydrometeorological sensors will be turned over to LGUs of Davao Region.

Lim said it is also in this ceremonial turn-over activity where outputs of the Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation – Light Detection and Ranging (DREAM-LIDAR) Project will be presented.

DOST-XI will recognize outstanding health researches in the region in July this year during the Health Research and Development Expo which is a showcase of health R&D.

Another DOST-XI undertaking slated in October is the Regional Invention Contest and Expo 2015, a showcase of S&T inventions, as well as recognition of outstanding S&T innovations and inventions.

The event is undertaken every two years in partnership with the Davao Inventors Association (DIA).

Lim also announced a new project undertaking called Protect and Modernize the Philippine Banana Production (Promobanana) Project.

She said the project intends “to establish laboratories and/or improve existing banana laboratories to increase capacity in detection and management of banana diseases.”

The realization of this project is in collaboration with local private banana companies such as TADECO, Unifruti Philippines and Dana Foundation, and with international research institutes such as Plant Research International, SoilsCare Holding and Clear Detection.

Lim said the international partners will provide the test kits, while DOST-XI will assist banana companies in complying various laboratory certifications.

Meanwhile, the NEDA-XI director has reported that the Region’s strong performance in the S&T sector last year, revealed “a deepening commitment to investing in innovation-promoting initiatives.”

Lim said the number of S&T scholars in 2014 reached to 489, which she added was significantly higher than both the 2013 figure of 322 and the 2014 target of 247 scholars. (PIA-XI/Carina L. Cayon)