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 19 October 2022

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The One-stop Laboratory Services for Global Competitiveness (OneLab) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in recent years, has gained significant traction due to its high return rates for its services. The program advocates its sustainability to provide testing and calibration services to over 500,000 customers through its institutionalization. OneLab’s initiative for a unified laboratory information management system partnered with 57 network members of local and international laboratories accredited to the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 expanded its capabilities to engage with Metrology, Rubber, Halal, Food and Drinking Water Safety, Food Innovation Centers, and SETUP, with plans to broaden laboratory services. OneLab collected a total of Php724,064,255.27 from 2017 to 2021, equivalent to an average of Php144,812,851 fees collected annually, and has since been reverted to the national treasury.

These numbers were accumulated from the 1,158,841 tests and calibrations conducted on 781,273 samples submitted to the pool of facilities. The strategy to upgrade laboratories and produce top-level laboratory personnel stems from the foreseen demand for standards and testing laboratories worldwide. With this in mind, the program has set its direction to be smarter as a network of globally renowned laboratories distinguished for its quality, proficiency, and reliability in the provision of testing, calibration, research and development (R&D), and training services. Furthermore, OneLab in its entirety applies to the newly imposed socioeconomic agenda of the current administration which calls for digitalization through providing accessible and efficient government service. In connection to this, the DOST’s planned programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) ensued the creation of a Technical Working Group (TWG) with the purpose of determining the requirements to sustain the program and execute its integrated data system through the creation of the program’s roadmap. The roadmap indicates the plans to engage in training programs, increase and enhance OneLab facilities, expand membership to cater to a wider variety of services, inter-agency collaborations, augment services, to name a few. These efforts support the program’s directive to be globally competitive in providing analytical and calibration services available in one single touch point. The program reinforces its overall strategies to enhance Human Resource, Laboratory Services, Laboratory Network, Laboratory Infrastructure and Facilities, IT Platforms, and Sustainability Strategies.

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The union of research and development institutions and regional testing laboratories from the DOST and non-DOST members cater to a wide array of services essential to address organizational needs. This includes partnerships with PEZA zones extending S&T support for exporting, being at par with international standards. With the application of international standard testing and implementation of method validation and development, OneLab incorporates systematic processing to augment global recognition of its services.

The program’s sustainability rests on its eventual institutionalization. OneLab’s assistance to its current customers would, in due course, be available to the masses granted that it be provided the relevant funding necessary to maintain its progress. Aside from servicing MSMEs, researchers, LGUs, regulatory agencies and industries it also supports research and development activities making it apparent to gain legislative support to consistently serve the people, certifying inclusive S&T development for all. #OneDOST4U

To learn more about OneLab’s member laboratories and its offered services, visit web.onelab.ph // Office of DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations

11 October 2022

The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR), together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-CAR, and the Department of Information and Communications (DICT)-CAR, in collaboration with the Technological Consortium for Awareness, Readiness, and Advancement of Knowledge in Innovation- Cordillera (TARAKI-CAR) concluded its first leg of Regional Startup Caravan with the theme “Traveling towards an Innovative Cordillera” held at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College (MPSPC) on September 28, 2022 and at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) on September 29, 2022.

The activity aimed to promote startups and innovation among the faculty and students of IFSU and MPSPC; Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); and startup enthusiasts. This also served as a venue to map out the needs of the participants through an open forum.

On September 28, 2022, the team had its first stop at the MPSPC in Bontoc, Mt. Province to visit the newly elected President, Dr. Edgar G. Cue, together with the Vice President for Research Development and Extension, Engr. Epiphania B. Magwilang. The team also presented the different government funding opportunities for businesses and innovative startups to the participants, including students taking BS in Business Administration and BS in Accountancy and MSMEs.

Ifugao State University was visited by the team on September 29, 2022. With the same goal, the University convened the students taking up BS in Information and Technology, staff from the offices of Intellectual Property and Technology Business Incubation Office and Research, Development, Extension, and Training.

Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, University President, expressed their support for the activity as they always encouraged their students as their future employers by putting up businesses to help spur economic development in the local communities.

Along with Dr. Codamon-Dugyon were Dr. Marissa Bulong, the Vice President for Research, Development, Extension, and Training and the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM) office headed by Dr. Moses Appoy. //MBangnan

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07 October 2022

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations (OUSEC-RO) organized the 3rd Quarterly Regional Directors’ Meeting last 30 September 2022 at Twin Lakes Hotel Tagaytay, Laurel, Batangas. The meeting centered on the alignment of DOST Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPA) to the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The DOST aims to refocus PPAs and deliver agency-wide goals in accordance with the directives of the DOST-Secretary, Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., as embodied in the newly launched campaign, #OneDOST4U. The particular areas include wealth creation, wealth protection, human well-being, and sustainability; interpreted through the 4 U’s namely, Unifying S&T efforts toward countryside development and wealth creation, Upgrading human capital to create a pool of globally competent STI champions to support the national innovation agenda, Ushering the transformation of municipalities and cities into smart, resilient, and sustainable communities, Undertaking collaborative science, technology, and innovation initiatives and strategies for socio-economic development and welfare of the public.

During the meeting, one of the cited DOST Programs was the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) which capacitates Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through funding technological adoption. SETUP alone has over 8,732 assisted MSMEs as of June 2022.

Another significant contributor to the achievement of DOST goals is the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program. CEST interventions in the regions aim to enhance the quality of living in remote communities in the country as it addresses difficulties in accessing jobs, health and nutrition, disaster risk reduction activities, and environmental conservation. The program has assisted 1,113 communities from 2016 to the 3rd quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, the budget-cut on the DOST for CY 2023 limits the execution of the planned PPAs and affects the intentions to scale up programs. The Assistant Secretary for Finance and Strategic Planning, Ms. Maridon O. Sahagun, joined the discussions on the enhancement of financial management and the strategic plans on how to increase the budget.

In support of this, Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, is looking to accumulate additional resources for pilot-tested programs for nationwide rollout such as the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND), the Innovation, Science, and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART), and the Smart Sustainable Communities and Cities (Smart City). The GRIND program will gear towards identifying grassroot innovations for jumpstarting community-based livelihood through processing intellectual properties resulting in commercialization of technological transformation. The iSTART program, on the other hand, impels local government units (LGU) to advance regional development through investment direction, recommendation formulation on policies, accreditation and deployment of Researchers, Scientists, and Engineers, to name a few of its interventions.

Lastly, the Smart City program by definition is the maximizing of scientific and technological advancements to produce high-performing communities in aspects of human capital, human well-being, environmental quality, governance, and urban planning. All these programs in its entirety ultimately coincides with the socio-economic agenda of the DOST.

The DOST and its regional offices, all of which were represented during the meeting, assures the strengthening of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the country. The DOST aligns its priorities in support of the agenda set by the current administration to contribute not only to countryside development but to national growth essentially personifying #OneDOST4U.

 RD Meet

29 September 2022

 The Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) conducted an orientation on the Innovation, Science and Technology for Accelerating Regional Technology-Based Development (iSTART) Program to the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Benguet on 02 September 2022 at the Benguet Provincial Capitol in La Trinidad, Benguet.

 Among the participants are the Provincial and Municipal Planning and Development Officers and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers in Benguet. Board member Joel Tingbaoen, Jr., Chairperson on the Committee of Public Utilities, Transportation, Communication and Science and Technology, was also present in the orientation.

The activity is in preparation for the iSTART Program implementation in the province. The iSTART program supports balanced development geographically by accelerating regional growth through science, technology and innovation (STI).

DOST-CAR Science Research Specialist Banny Lyn D. Andres explained that through iSTART and other interventions, individuals currently residing in Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas will return to their provinces of origin. She also discussed on how the program will assist LGUs in developing a technology-based development plan for the agri-based, manufacturing, and services sectors; attract new technology-based investments; and engage researchers, scientists, and engineers (RSEs) to support technology-based investments and projects in the region.

Meanwhile, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts between DOST and LGUs in the implementation of STI projects in Benguet. Specifically, in the identification of priority projects as well as subsequent monitoring of these projects.

“With the implementation of the Mandana’s Ruling where major services will be transferred with the LGUs, particularly livelihood programs, I hope that the LGUs will continue to support the strategy of identifying problems that can be solved through STI-based solutions,” Dir. Bantog added.

Further, the DOST-CAR’s Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) particularly Technology Transfer and Commercialization; Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL); Packaging and Labeling Services; Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM); and Science and Technology Scholarship were also discussed by the respective focal person.

In closing, Ms. Fidela C. Luis, Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator of PLGU Benguet, expressed her gratitude to DOST-CAR for being their constant partner in bringing STI development in the region.//MLFerrer

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DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy A. Bantog in her opening message highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between DOST and LGUs in the implementation of STI projects in the region. 

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DOST-CAR Science Research Specialist Banny Lyn Andres discusses DOST’s iSTART program.