DOST CRADLE showcases technologies for the environment, wellness and the community

February 24, 2022 - The Department of Science and Technology, through one of its banner programs, the Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (CRADLE) Program held its second symposium in 2022 entitled: “Science in Bloom: Innovative breakthroughs for wellness, community and the environment”.  The online event featured research collaborations and technologies developed for wellness, community and environment sector.  

Through the CRADLE Program, Filipino companies, including small-to-medium enterprises, find value through innovation by partnering with universities or research and development institutes to solve their problems. The industry partner defines the problem to be solved and the academic institutions or R&D Institute undertakes the research. Funding amounts to P5 million, over a period of one to three years, isgiven to the academic institution or R&D institute. The industry partner contributes 20% to then project, in cash or in kind; and promises to adopt the research output.

Leading the event is DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña. “CRADLE empowers our local Filipino companies to shift and adapt to the needs of their clientele,” shared Secretary de la Peña.  “The partnership between industry and academe allows sharing of knowledge and insight.  CRADLE improves the capabilities of our local companies and at the same time, broadens the understanding of our scientists and researchers on the needs of industry.”

The power of R&D to change companies for the better is showcased through two projects designed to improve industrial processes and make them environment-friendly.  The partnership of Sarnimian Small Scale Mining Corporation and Caraga State University.   The CRADLE project aims to develop alternative solutions to the waste of gold processing plant called mill tailings.  It seeks to find alternative usage of gold mill tailings and conduct comprehensive analysis on how the developed technology can contribute towards building socioeconomic and environmental sustainability

Another CRADLE project featured is the Driver Air ni Juan-Aluminosilicate Technology for Compact Air Purification which is a partnership between Manly Plastics, Inc., MC Home Depot,  Global One Shuttle Service Inc. and University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD).  This project will develop a powerful yet portable air purifier for automotive air filtration systems which works as a particulate filter, harmful gas remover, and anti-microbial filter. It will utilize naturally occurring aluminosilicate minerals in the Philippines through facile modification processes to mitigate the health-related risks of using taxis as mode of transportation. With this new technology and product proposed, these essential products can be provided to the transportation sector without relying on the importation of raw materials

For wellness, the CRADLE project between Adamson University and Compact Pharmaceutical Corporation seeks to determine the Formulation, Quality Control and Immediate-Release Tablets of Fixed-Dose Combinations of Aspirin and Cilostazol.  Cilostazol and aspirin are two drugs used for the management of stroke, thrombo-embolic disorders and ischemic heart disease but are available as separate dosage units in the market. To date, no fixed-dose combination (FDC) of cilostazol and aspirin exists in the Philippine drug market.  Through CRADLE, the project aims to develop a cost-efficient alternative with minimized adverse drug reactions and enhance dosage compliance. 

For the community and the arts, the partnership between Agricultural Sustainability Initiatives for Nature, Inc. and UPD aims to help the coastal communities in Macalelon, Quezon and the local economy by using a science-based approach to increase the supply of oysters and ensure sustainability

Another project for the community is the Custom Made Crafts Center Inc. and DOST- Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) partnership aiming to develop a community-based functionalized Philippine handwoven textile solution for non-medical face masks seeking to: 1) To develop water-repellent textile materials using local handwoven indigenous fabrics 2) To develop a WHO compliant cloth masks for non-medical face masks; and 3) To establish an initial market assessment of the developed non-medical face masks

“The R&D developed through the CRADLE program drives economic growth for our local companies and provides an avenue for them to find new processes or new product lines,” says DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.  “CRADLE also contributes to localization as it allows companies to have tailored solutions that maximizes the use of our local resources.

For companies who are also seeking to explore the benefits of the DOST CRADLE Program, you may contact the DOST-Science for Change Project Management Office at 2/F ADMATEL Bldg., DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, with telephone numbers (02) 8837-2943/ 8837-2930.  You may also send an email to s4c.ousecrd@dost.gov.ph.