DOST-Developed Mass Transportation Alternatives Eyed by DOTr as Potential Technology-Based Solution to Easing Passenger Transfers within NAIA Terminals

Bicutan, Taguig City -  The Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) System is being considered as a means to connect terminals 1 to 4 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).  

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum welcomed Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista as the two department heads signed a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the partnership of the DOTr with the DOST, through the Electronics Product Development Center (EPDC). 

Present to witness the MOA signing was Engr. Robert O. Dizon, Executive Director of the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), who presented to the DOTr Secretary alternative mass transportation technologies developed by the Center: the Automated Guideway Transit (AGT) System; Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT), and Hybrid Electric Train (HET). 

Mass transportation alternatives developed by the DOST-MIRDC: L - Automated Guideway Transit (AGT), center - Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT), and R - Hybrid Electric Train

DOTr Secretary Bautista immediately saw the benefits of adopting these home-grown mass transportation technologies, particularly the AGT which offers the best solution to make transfers to various terminals of the NAIA easy and convenient. 

Aside from the AGT, the HERT is also seen as a possible alternative to buses for the EDSA Carousel and the articulated buses for the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems in the country.

To formalize these concepts, the DOTr and DOST agreed to work on the preparation of a project proposal for further consideration by the two agencies.  Should this proposal later progress and be implemented as a joint project, the public can expect to have safer and more convenient public transportation.  

By: Zalda R. Gayahan

Technology Information and Promotion Section Technology Diffusion Division

Local 463 Direct Line: 8837-0479

Metals Industry Research and Development CenterGeneral Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City 1631 Tel.: 837-0431 to 38

www.mirdc.dost.gov.ph

https://facebook.com/dostmirdc

DOST presented opportunities to scientists at Consumer Electronics Show and Silicon Valley, US

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in an effort to strengthen emerging technologies such as Semiconductor Manufacturing Services (SMS), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Space Technology industry in the Philippines, presented engagement opportunities to scientists during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023) in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and Business Mission in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, California, USA from January 5-11, 2023. 

CES is the most influential technology event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This year, CES 2023 highlighted technologies on sustainability, digital health, metaverse, electric vehicles, transportation, and mobility from over 4,000 exhibitors, providing various insights and possibilities for the Philippines to utilize market intelligence and benchmarking

Agwa from Israel, an AI-assisted indoor home vegetable-growing device (left) and Gul.AI a Philippine-made mobile AI-powered plant growing system for optimum yield

The Philippine delegation, composed of the DOST, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) sought possible partnerships with governments and key industry players through the Philippine Business Forum highlighting the country’s investment-ready environment. DOST participated in one of the World Electronics Forum (WEF) where DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia presented technologies and programs of the Philippine government which are at par with emerging global technologies. 

DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia presented DOST’s programs in 2023-2028 at the World Electronics Forum together with officials from DTI, DICT, PEZA, SEIPI, and PTIC, and participants from the government and industry sectors

Technologies observed in CES 2023 include 1) SentiV from France, a scouting robot for monitoring field crops; 2) Agwa from Israel, an AI-assisted indoor home vegetable-growing device; 3) Land Evaluation Engine by satellite data and AI from Japan, an application for monitoring the lands of interest from space. Similarly, DOST Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) has ongoing project counterparts such as 1) Robot for Optimized and Autonomous Mission-Enhancement Response (ROAMER), designed for detecting banana plantation monitoring, 2) Gul.AI, a mobile AI-powered plant growing system for optimum yield, and 3) DATOS, an AI-powered engine land feature detection from satellite images. The striking similarity in the functions between ASTI’s projects and CES technologies demonstrates the relevance of its R&D activities and their potential to address society's needs.

“Similarly, as we vision to continuously be abreast with countries with cutting-edge technologies, we explored potential investment opportunities and areas for cooperation particularly with startup companies and universities in Silicon Valley,” says DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia. “We also recognize the importance of having a pool of experts in achieving this vision, hence we have the commitment of continuous knowledge transfer and developing our home-grown science and engineering workforce through the Balik Scientist Program,” she added.

The DOST is the lead government agency that provides central direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensures that the result from there is geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people. 

Kabayan OFW 2022 at Gonegosyo at 17

Go Negosyo’s Kabayan 2022 last Saturday was an overwhelming success. There was, of course, the pleasant and unexpected gift from the President of P200,000 each to the nine outstanding OFW awardees of our Kabayan Awards. The announcement by the First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos was met with thunderous applause from the crowd.

It was a day of appreciation of our OFWs. Our own sponsors gave away millions in cash and Negosyo packages – loans, motorcycles, sari-sari store packages, you name it. Our mentors were there to coach active and aspiring entrepreneurs, while all day, on stage, we had speaker after speaker imparting their knowledge about running a small business, using social media for promotions, making smart investment decisions, and generally equipping our audience of OFWs and their families with the right tools and mindset to venture into the world of entrepreneurship.

The President, in his message, said it well: Through entrepreneurship, our OFWs will now have the option to come home for good, with the ultimate goal of making working abroad a choice rather than a necessity.

OFWs, especially, are in an advantageous position to become entrepreneurs. Right now, their dollars can go a long way; even longer if they invest in small businesses.

Our awardees during Kabayan 2022 are proof-positive that, yes, OFWs make good entrepreneurs. They already have an appetite for risk. By going out and trying their luck in a strange land, they have the heart and the will to improve themselves, to explore the unknown. That many of our OFWs have succeeded and thrived is such a promise to what more they can do once they come home.

I mentioned during my speech at Kabayan 2022 the story of two outstanding OFWs, Alvin Esperida and Elpidia Abel. Alvin used to work overseas as a supervisor in a construction company. When the pandemic struck, he decided to return to the Philippines and opened a small store selling essential goods at low prices. His business attracted a bit of social media attention, and before he knew it, it grew and soon became a warehouse, which he named Bodega ni Tatay. The store continues to sell affordable grocery items and now employs around 40 people from low-income families in the community.

Elpidia is quite a legend in OFW circles. She has won many accolades for her work in helping her fellow OFWs, and it is not surprising to see why. She taught herself how to bake, to carve fruit, and to sew gowns using upcycled materials. She never had formal training, but got by on grit and passion, and she even went further. She now uses her free time to empower and share her skills to her fellow OFWs. She is also a cancer survivor.

They are just two of nine OFWs whose stories are certainly inspiring. We have OFWs who freely share their knowledge and experience. Angelito Castro worked overseas for many years in the aquaculture industry. He lost his job during the pandemic, and though he was offered to work again as an OFW, he chose to return to the Philippines and build his own freshwater fish hatchery. He now earns as much as he did when he was an OFW. Not only that, he shares his knowledge about aquaculture through social media, and free seminars and training. Like Elpidia, he has received awards for his dedication to teach fellow Filipinos about fish farming.

Then there are OFWs who are dedicated to making the lives of our kababayans a little better. Cebuano Anthony Leuterio founded Filipino Homes knowing how much home ownership means to every hard-working OFW. He used to lead a global organization engaged in marketing, and is now applying his leadership prowess in out-of-the-box solutions to real estate investing.

Another out-of-the-box awardee is YouTube content creator and former OFW Jeffrey Guansing. His channel, Harabas, went viral for its ‘catch and cook’ content and his initiative to help preserve the environment by planting mangroves and performing coast clean-up drives.

Industries that took a beating will certainly need the help of OFWs like Malou Prado. She is the owner and CEO of MPQ Travel and Tourism, and is currently based in Dubai. She recently launched a branch in the Philippines, and is the only Filipino national to be nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Middle East Excellence Award 2022. During the 7th Middle East Hospitality Excellence Awards, MPQ Travel & Tourism clinched a gold award for Best Travel Company.

Our garments industry can use the likes of Marvin Intal. Marvin was an OFW for more than four years; when he had enough savings, he started Intal Garments. His early stage of venture was not easy since he had to remotely manage his business when he was still in Qatar. Despite the hardship, Marvin was able to put up with the demands of doing business and grow Intal Garments.

Then there are OFWs who showed how digital technology can help small businesses. Mardel Delos Santos, owner of Ledam’s Collections and known to her online followers as Ledam, is one of the most successful online sellers in the Philippines. She started her online business with only P4,000, selling Divisoria goods in Japan where she worked as an OFW. When Facebook Live was rolled out, she quickly joined the trend and was able to rapidly grow her business.

OFW Mark Durotan let his hard years as a seaman propel him to found two businesses: Diko’s Food Processing and Diko’s Integrated Farms, both rooted in his sense of community and passion for organic agriculture. His natural leadership skills and perseverance helped him overcome personal hardships and obstacles in his initial ventures into business. Ever the leader, Mark continues to establish farmers’ associations and gives free talks and consultation to his fellow farmers.

I am sure there are many more OFWs and stories out there. We hope that as we continue to explore how we can grow entrepreneurship in the Philippines, we will have more of them.

SMNI News Launches EntrePinoy Revolution with Dr. Carl E. Balita

I'd say our country is truly blessed, with not just natural resources and many things, but especially with people who are truly and genuinely for the good of as many or the general welfare 

Having had attended this launch SMNI News EntrePinoy Revolution with Dr. Carl E. Balita Ang Mabuting Balita ng Negosyo, made me realize many important points and things.

One is that, the key to any success is in preparedness. 

And how can one be prepared, Dr Carl says, is through education.

Education is evolution, transformation, revolution. We need to educate ourselves. We learn by many ways, in school, at home, with our experiences, with others, in situations, in life, etc.

We can actually learn and connect with those, who have years of experienced in their fields, through their books, talks, programs etc.

Let us learn from them, that can prepare us, to face the adversities that may come our way Ver.Ma Shaine Donna Viral Nestor MaCleotilde

Concepcion Elated as ASEAN Leaders Prioritize MSMEs Digitalization

Entrepreneurship is a key driver of the ASEAN economy and their digitalization will be vital in achieving inclusive growth in the region. This appeared to be the view of the leaders of the ASEAN as it wrapped up two days of top-level meetings at the ASEAN 2022 Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, according to Go Negosyo founder and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) Chair for the Philippines Joey Concepcion.

“I am elated that the leaders were unanimous in saying that MSMEs are the true engine of growth in ASEAN,” said Concepcion, as he reiterated that, in the region, MSMEs comprise 99 percent of all establishments, contribute 85 percent of jobs, and 45 percent of GDP. He also expressed optimism as the leaders recognized the role of governments in helping MSMEs.

“We’re all moving in the same direction,” said Concepcion, noting how the ASEAN leaders affirmed how digitalization among MSMEs can enhance competitiveness and productivityacross the region.

“To upgrade, upskill and  upsize our MSMEs, digital transformation is vital,” said Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his address at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (BIS). “This is in addition to our efforts to enable our systems to catch up with the rapid development of the digital economy,” the President said.

MSMEs are also most vulnerable to the uncertainties, said NeakOknha Kith Meng, Chair of the ASEAN BAC during his opening statement at the summit. He recommended to make economic integration a priority to achieve faster economic resilience at national and regional levels. “Otherwise, we are helpless amid all the uncertainty especially our workforce and our MSMEs,” he said.

Concepcion shared that digitalization and cooperation are central to the regional mentorship program called the ASEAN Mentorship for Entrepreneurs Network (AMEN) program.AMEN aims to share best practices and know-how among MSMEs in the ASEAN. It is the legacy project of the Philippines’s 2017 chairmanship of the ASEAN, which also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the union.

“With AMEN, MSMEs can learn from other small entrepreneurs and mentors across the region. Mentors can also exchange knowledge and learn from each other on a regional scope,” saidConcepcion, whose non-profit mentors thousands of MSMEs in the Philippines every year.

“Our goal is to scale up our MSMEs through access to what we call the three M’s of MSME development – that is,  mentorship, money and market – using both traditional and digital platforms,” he said.

Phase 1 of AMEN was piloted in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines in 2019, with 127 entrepreneurs and 48 mentors participating. Phase 2 is now on its build up stage and is set to be implemented across the ASEAN. Both phases of the project were funded by the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund.

“AMEN plans to train, in each ASEAN country, between 1,000 to 2,000 MSMEs each year. This we hope will one day grow to a network of thousands of confident entrepreneurs, able to grow and generate more jobs in the ASEAN, creating an inclusive economy and bringing prosperity for all,” said Concepcion.

Hacking is the New Security -

We are Armada Innovation Labs Corp., a Cyber Security Company focusing on Web Application Security Solutions such as Web Application Penetration Testing, Bug Bounty Enablement, and Web Application Firewall Solutions. We are working with industry leaders in terms of Web Security such as F5 and Fortinet and we also specialize in securing Cloud Solutions in Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud.

Our speakers for the event are Angel Redoble, First Vice President and Group Chief Information Security Officer of PLDT Group and Smart Communications, Louie Castaneda, the Country Manager of Fortinet Philippines, Mary Joy Abueg, PhD, President of the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines and P/Lt. Arnel Hawthorne, Section Chief - Cybersecurity Incident Response of the Philippine National Police.

We have confirmed guests from the government sector specifically from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines and some local government units. We have also confirmed attendees from several top corporations in the telecommunications, banking and finance, water and power industries to name a few among our list. Our friends also from Manila Bulletin and Philippine Daily Inquirer, along with other outlets will also be there.

We will introduce a unique and highly effective “Cybersecurity Business Model " and we want to raise public awareness that data privacy and cybersecurity are major concerns that companies and agencies need to work on not just for government regulation and compliance.

Visit here: Armada Fb page

iCCP thru Laura Vicuña Foundation is reaching out to Children

Everyday, the number of children being abused, exploited, and trafficked continue to rise. The Laura Vicuña Foundation has helped 3,000 of these children and has given them the chance to regain the childhood that they deserve. To be able to continue to help, LVF needs our help.

This year, ICCP aims to raise a significant monetary donation for the foundation. We are appealing to your generosity in helping us put together a sizeable amount that will help provide for the 3,000 abused, trafficked, and exploited children under LVF's care. No donation is too big or too small.

ICCP will personally hand over the donation to the Laura Vicuña Foundation on December 12, 2022. We look forward to receiving your monetary donation until December 11, 2022.

Below are the convenient ways to share:
BDO
Dela Rosa Rada Makati Branch
Savings Account #005370227064
Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc.
Gcash
09060236755
Paypal
paypal.me/israelchamberph
Dragon Pay
https://www.iccp.ph/membership-registration-form/
PayMongo
Email secretariat@iccp.ph for your payment link.