Local inventions shine in S&T week in Eastern Visayas

Political Map of Eastern Visayas Region (Photo by Namayan at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, )

TACLOBAN CITY — Inventions to enhance local food processing, detecting potential bad posture, and computerized scoring of manual examinations have emerged as this year’s winners in the week-long Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE).

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Director Edgardo Esperancilla lauded local inventors for coming up with concepts to solve problems.

“The work of our inventors reinforces our belief that science and technology can improve the lives of people and empower them to improve the quality, progress and posterity of rural communities,” Esperancilla said during the closing program at Robinsons Place here Thursday afternoon.

The DOST picked four winners representing the best of each category and received PHP20,000 cash prize each.

For the outstanding creative research for high school category, tagged as the best was the Philippine Science High School for “Posture Notification System Prototype using Gyroscope Sensor,” a device used to detect potential bad posture.

The Samar State University Paranas Campus won the outstanding creative research for college category for its invention on the “Utilization of Sarad into Sarad Crackers.” Sarad is a variety of scallops that thrives well on Samar Sea.

Judges selected the work of Higino P. Alminario Jr. as winner for the outstanding creative research. He invented a “Computerized Scoring A Paper-Based-Multiple-Choice Exam through Image Processing.”

Winner of the outstanding utility model was the concept of Leonora D. Doncillio and Vivian L. Moya. They received PHP25,000 for coming up with a “Process of preparing Squid Rings.”

Mayor Leonardo M. Javier of Javier town in Leyte, who is the region’s science and technology ambassador, said that concepts and innovation has made life easier for people.

“For everybody who are here, you are around ordinary things, but with DOST those ordinary things become special,” he told local inventors.

The DOST led the celebration of the Science and Technology Week with the theme “Science for the People.”

The celebration highlighted S&T services, products, and research outputs that help improve the life of every Filipino.

The event from September 19 to 21 also featured various activities such as science and technology forums, and exhibits. (with reports from Ma. Myrelle L. Montallana, OJT/PNA)