DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora (center front) and TTPD Dir. Noel A. Catibog (front right) with the Program and Project Leaders of the first batch of the RAISE Program. (Image credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD)
The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) officially launched the second implementation phase of the first batch of its Regional Agri-Aqua Innovation System Enhancement (RAISE) Program implementers during an inception meeting on November 21, 2024.
Held at DOST-PCAARRD Innovation and Technology Center (DPITC) in Los Baños, Laguna, the event marked a significant step in boosting the Council’s technology transfer operations.
DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora welcomed the guests and participants and emphasized the program’s goal of fostering a more competitive and innovative agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) ecosystem. He highlighted the importance of sustained collaboration to ensure a long-lasting impact.
Engr. Mark Anthony R. Ferrer, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) discussed TAPI’s Technology Innovation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) program, which aims to support various pre-commercialization activities.
Program and project leaders from the eight participating regions (Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region I, Region IV-A, Region IV-B, Region V, Region VI, Region VIII, and Region XI) of RAISE Batch 1 attended the inception meeting.
The RAISE Program stands as a testament to DOST-PCAARRD’s commitment to fostering a vibrant agri-aqua innovation ecosystem. This comprehensive initiative includes four key components—Regional Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IPTBM), Regional Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator (ATBI), Regional Knowledge Management (KM) Hub, and Regional Agri-Business Hub (ABH). It seeks to replicate the operation of the DPITC with the goal of accelerating the commercialization and growth of science and technology-based agri-aqua enterprises within the AANR sector.
DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora addresses the participants of the RAISE Program Batch 1 Phase 2 Inception Meeting with his welcome message. (Image credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Building on the success of Phase 1 and the second batch of regional implementers, which laid the groundwork for technology transfer operations across the regions, the RAISE Program Phase 2 will further strengthen these efforts.
Today, the program covers 94 IPTBM Offices and 25 ATBIs spread across 15 regions. Aside from these, it also involves 14 regional ABHs and 14 regional knowledge management (KM) units supporting pre-commercialization and promotion of intellectual properties.
Through effective implementation of intellectual property (IP) policies and technology transfer protocols, the program has facilitated the filing of 1,856 Intellectual Properties and the execution or signing of a total of 34 licensing agreements from 2023-2024. The robust partnerships and connections with relevant business groups and potential technology adopters built by IPTBMs, ABH, ATBIs, and KM groups are pivotal in the execution of these transactions.
DOST-PCAARRD is optimistic that Phase 2 will not only sustain but even surpass the accomplishments of Phase 1. With the launch of this next phase, the Council hopes to empower its partner institutions to optimize their existing efforts, expand their reach, and strengthen their regional innovation networks. Through sound and active policies and processes, efficient technology services, and quality IP assets, DOST-PCAARRD envisions at improving technology transfer processes and fostering stronger industry-academia collaborations. Phase 2 also seeks to develop a workforce with enhanced skills, establish shared infrastructure, and build well-linked networks among system members, ultimately encouraging more joint ventures across the agri-aqua sector.
Through strong partnerships and collaboration, DOST-PCAARRD, together with its partner institutions, is working to build a more competitive and innovative AANR ecosystem. Aligned with the “#OneDOST4U” initiative, the program aims to RAISE the bar for the future of agri-aqua innovation.