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Western Philippines University’s Technology Management and Commercialization Office presented the patented intellectual property of their faculty and staff at this week’s National Science and Technology Week celebration in Cagayan de Oro, showcasing ready-to-commercialize scientific inventions and technological innovations from November 27 to December 1.
National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) 2024 is an annual program by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). This year, it was held at Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro City, featuring over a hundred techno-exhibits of local patents from Filipino inventors and scientific minds.
While various sectors joined the annual scientific gathering, Western Philippines University (WPU) was the only state university invited to participate in the event through Josefina Abilay, Regional Director for DOST-MIMAROPA.
WPU’s new department, the Technology Management and Commercialization Office (TMCO), presented the WPU Intellectual Property (IP) Mall exhibit, showcasing several inventions and innovations created by WPU faculty and staff.
Headed by Associate Professor Eduardo Lleve Jr., WPU-TMCO is a new department established this year to promote the commercialization of the academe’s inventions and patents, helping local scientific minds gain recognition and profit from their own IP.
WPU-TMCO Information Communications Officer Lara Grace Palay explained that their IP Mall serves as a platform to host various patented innovations in line with the office’s mandate.
“Encouraged din yung students to submit theirs. Pero so far, the priority ng mga nanditong naka-display are researches. Innovations na actually—kasi ready na for commercialization nito—from our faculty members,” she said.
Some of the innovations presented during the WPU IP Mall exhibit were entirely new inventions, while others were improvements on existing products. WPU-TMCO ensured that certain inventions were not photographed, as it was the structure of the system—and not the system itself—that was patented.
Reflecting WPU’s agri-fishery specialty, their IP Mall exhibit featured agricultural products with innovative twists on existing systems, such as dehydrated mango, mango wine, mango vinegar, a mobile coconut husk and dust separator, a vibration-induced electric generating device, a pineapple fiber extractor, and a hot-air fish dryer—all presented under WPU-TMCO’s brand.
Most of the products were staff inventions addressing specific needs within their departments and communities. For example, Engr. Kristine Canilla developed a new drinking water filtration system; Coleman Tiw-An created an automated seedling tray dibbler for planting; and Rogelio De Vera Jr. designed an automatic trap nest for poultry confinement.
Arlene Avillanosa patented the Aquasafe fish anesthetic, an alternative for transporting fish, while Cesario Bacosa Jr. introduced an affordable biosand water filter designed primarily for indigenous people in Palawan.
The WPU IP Mall exhibit was managed by staff from the newly established WPU-TMCO during the four-day event. The team included Jason Piamonte (Business Development Specialist), Rayan Venturillo (Marketing Specialist), Ian Christian Cadiz (Creative Arts Specialist), and Jibsam Andres (Director of Research and Extension), who also contributed two innovations to the exhibit.
Andres developed a water monitoring device for crops and co-innovated a solar-powered palm leaf stripper with Arman Arangorin and Benjie Martinez.
All the innovations presented during the five-day exhibit aimed to support scientifically inclined sectors in the community, using local research to enhance livelihoods. For instance, WPU’s agri-fishery innovations were designed to benefit Palawan’s economy and environment.
The 2024 NSTW’s theme, “Siyensya, Teknolohiya, at Inobasyon: Kabalikat sa Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Kinabukasan,” with the sub-theme “Providing Solutions and Opening Opportunities in the Green Economy,” emphasized creating environmentally sustainable products that also contribute to economic growth.
Earlier in November, at the United Nations’ 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, climate finance was a heated topic. Countries failed to meet the $1.3 trillion annual funding target to aid poorer nations vulnerable to climate impacts, such as the Philippines.
On November 12, during the start of COP29 negotiations, the Philippines formally signed the agreement to host the Loss and Damage Fund board, marking a step forward in climate finance and justice discussions.