The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-ERDB) discussed DENR-ERDB’s proposed technology transfer and promotion programs and projects on February 14, 2025 at DOST-PCAARRD, Los Baños, Laguna.
The meeting discussed potential collaborations on technology transfer programs/projects and other research initiatives related to environmental conservation and rehabilitation.
DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, welcomed the participants and mentioned that DOST-PCAARRD and DENR-ERDB are long-time partners considering the ongoing and previous successful research and technology transfer projects. He also expressed gratitude to DENR-ERDB for their willingness to continue collaborating with DOST-PCAARRD through potential technology transfer and promotion and other research programs and projects.
In her message, DENR-ERDB Director Lormelyn E. Claudio shared the value of partnership between the two agencies through various programs and projects funded by DOST-PCAARRD. She also mentioned that their agency needs collaborations to address immediate concerns of the environment and natural resources.
Presentation of Project Proposals
DENR-ERDB’s Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Chief Liberty E. Asis presented ten technology transfer project proposals, covering DENR-ERDB’s developed technologies for the rehabilitation and conservation of forest, coastal, and urban ecosystems. The projects aim to mitigate forest fires and soil erosion; enhance market channels; conserve biodiversity; increase production of quality giant bamboo planting materials and managed plantations; disseminate protocols on tree health assessment; provide livelihood while rehabilitating degraded and deluded areas; capacitate stakeholders on mangrove cluster planting; and promote the application of S&T-based technologies in urban settings.
Moreover, DENR-ERDB Scientist I Jose Alan A. Castillo presented eight research and development (R&D) project proposals that aim to encourage active participation in the global network of carbon flux stations; improve the quality of water bodies contaminated with oil; create a replicable framework for integrating DNA barcoding; enhance mangrove and beach forest ecosystems; conserve and manage ‘gugo’ (Entada phaseoloides (L.) resources; reduce household organic waste accumulation; and establish field genebank of native fruit trees. Furthermore, assistance for patent application was requested for their newly developed technologies for commercialization.
Discussions
Dr. Ebora expressed his interest in the presented project proposals as these may address gaps, provide solutions to environmental problems, and provide support to the communities. He likewise provided comments, suggestions, and guidance for clearer understanding and to further improve the proposals for packaging.
DOST-PCAARRD’s Technology Transfer Promotion Division (TTPD) Director Noel A. Catibog expressed his gratitude for DENR-ERDB’s visit. He provided additional inputs to improve the proposals and how they will fit in the extension and deployment modalities of the Division. He also conveyed his willingness to provide assistance in the patent application for the technologies for commercialization developed by DENR-ERDB. Through collaboration, Dir. Catibog expressed his excitement for the project proposals to prosper. He added that all submissions of project proposals are welcome and asked DENR-ERDB to continue collaborating for new future proposals.
Before the end of the meeting, Dir. Claudio expressed her gratitude on behalf of DENR-ERDB for DOST-PCAARRD’s interest in the proposed project proposals and for the aforementioned moving forward advice and thanked Dr. Ebora, Dir. Catibog, and the whole DOST-PCAARRD team for the guidance. At the end of the meeting, she presented books on the Atlas of Philippine Native Trees to DOST-PCAARRD as tokens of appreciation.