Sec Dela Peña Shared Innovations, Other DOST Programs at S&T Week

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently presented a list of innovations and programs funded by the agency, during the celebration of the 2018 Regional Science and Technology Week held in this municipality.

DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña, in his message during the event, said he believes innovations in science and technology are key in helping the government uplift the lives of the people.

Among the latest technologies introduced by the DOST chief is a biofertilizer made from carageenan extract which, when irradiated, could yield 15 – 40 percent increase in rice production. According to de la Peña, this biofertilizer innovation can be a big help to our farmers especially and had already been adopted by private manufacturers.

“Pinatataas naman ng Solid State Fermentation Technology ang protina ng copra meal o sapal (Solid State Fermentation can increase the protein content of a copra meal),” De la Peña said, referring to the Protein-Enriched Copra Meal (PECM) technology. This is another innovation meant to help the agriculture sector, this time the livestock raisers, because PECM may bring down the costs of feeds.

The Secretary also discussed about a program which pursues tracks of drug discovery and development from Philippine biodiversity. “Ito ang Tuklas Lunas Program (This is Tuklas Lunas Program),” De La Peña said and added, “it is under the DOST- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and some of the herbs studied are Banaba, tawatawa, and luya.”

Aside from said breakthroughs, the DOST Secretary tackled other programs aimed at improving education, transportation and heath sector. De La Peña professes, all of these innovations sit well with this year’s theme of the celebration “Changing Lives Through Science.” (VND/PIA MIMAROPA/Occ Min)