The DOST-Niche Centers in the Regions for R&D (NICER) is a program established in 2017 to improve research in higher educational institutions (HEIs) and capacitate R&D capabilities all over the country. One project that will be implemented under the program is the NICER on Environmental Technologies and Compliance which aims to help industries pass tests for community health and safety standards.
“The benefits of research are clearly outlined in the DOST-NICER program for environmental technologies with its two-pronged strategy of working for environmental concerns for the good of the community and the support it provides to industry to protect our countrymen’s jobs and businesses,” says Senator Villanueva. In a video shared via the DOST- Science for Change Facebook page, the senator called to support the S4C Program.
This call is in light of the Lancet Report citing an estimated productivity loss in the Philippines amounting to $1.3 billion due to diseases from air pollution. The World Health Organization cited lung cancer, acute lower respiratory infection, stroke, ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The Center for Environmental Technologies and Compliance was created due the rising environmental problems brought by industrialization. Valenzuela City is a model city for this program and was set as an example by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). In the interviews conducted, the main problem identified is solid waste, focusing on Metro Manila communities dumping everywhere. In the written and online surveys, the companies did not identify waste water as one of the problems. However, through face to face interviews, a few companies have been recently visited by DENR and were asked to remedy waste water pollution problems. There were also reports that the canals would sometimes have different colors due to waste disposal from nearby companies. Other companies like recycling plants had bad smells in their environment.
Another component of the Science for Change Program is the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program. Under this Program, a local industry partner determines a problem/need which requires an R&D solution. The partner higher education institution (HEI) or Research & Development Institution (RDI) undertakes the R&D to solve the problem/ need. The DOST-CRADLE Program will fund up to five million pesos for a period of one to three years R&D projects aiming to solve problems of local businesses.
A recently launched project under the CRADLE Program is a partnership between the Technological Institute of the Philippines and Subic Water and Sewerage Company, Inc. to help industry comply with the Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards of 2016 (DENR Administrative Order No. 2016-08). This is in relation to Republic Act No. 9275, or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.
Through the DOST-S4CP, the DOST can significantly accelerate science, technology and innovation in the country and create a massive increase in investment on S&T Human Resource Development and R&D. The S4CP bill is currently pending for approval in both Houses of Congress.
“The growth of our nation rests on the viability of our natural resources, our environment and the healthy state of our workforce,” says DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara. “ Through the DOST-NICER on Environmental Protection and Compliance and the CRADLE Program, we will enable private companies to gain technological advances that will help them comply with environmental standards. This is the way R&D gives a positive impact to industry, to our community and our country.”
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