logo
5 disaster management innovations showcased at Handa Pilipinas-Luzon 2025

5 disaster management innovations showcased at Handa Pilipinas-Luzon 2025

GMA Network2 days ago
BAGUIO CITY – Filipino innovators and researchers showcased this week their latest innovations that will support disaster management efforts across the country.
Here are 5 innovative outputs that were on display during the 2025 Handa Pilipinas para sa Bagong Pilipinas Luzon Leg in Baguio:
Hemostat
Developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, hemostats may be the next must-have in everyone's first-aid kits.
Hemostats are granules made from plant cellulose and natural polymers that have been safely exposed to radiation, among other processes, to make a sterile, non-toxic, and biocompatible solution for bleeding.
The product is available in two options: granules, which are applied directly to the open wound, and granule-embedded gauze, which may be used for bigger and deeper wounds.
Within seconds after being exposed to the hemostat, the blood on the wound will start to coagulate into a jelly-like substance, controlling the bleeding enough to allow a patient to be taken to the hospital.
DOST-PNRI is currently negotiating field testing agreements with hospitals such as East Avenue Medical Center and intends to commercialize the product shortly at a price of P100 to P200 per box.
Portable unihoused water purification and sterilization apparatus
Made by Filipino inventor and engineer Rodrigo Duque, the apparatus has the ability to collect and turn any form of water into clean, potable drinking water.
The device creates oxygenated water from any source, including floodwater, by using oscillation and UV sterilization.
Through the sterilization process, all types of bacteria, viruses, and oxidizing chemical contaminants will be killed.
The best part is that it can also help people recover quickly from dengue fever, food poisoning, and diarrhea—and it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The apparatus is now available in the market at P1.5 million per unit, targeting local government units and schools.
Project MOSES
Project MOSES aims to change the game on weather forecasting by creating a platform for real-time weather monitoring.
The apparatus is a full weather monitoring system and station, which will be collecting data from its installation site that gets updated within seconds up to a minute.
Made by Mindoro State University in partnership with DOST–MIMAROPA, Project MOSES currently has one working station installed on Mindoro Island, with others in construction in Victoria, Naujan, and Calapan.
Project MOSES is currently in the second phase of development and is looking for additional funding to create data centers and has a long-term goal of installing stations nationwide.
Ready-to-eat food packages
The DOST–Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) produced several different ready-to-eat and improved food packages that may be used in emergencies like evacuations and military operations.
One of their research outputs was all-natural quail and chicken eggs, either in cans or in pouches, that can last up to five or six months.
Ginisang Munggo and Chicken Corn Soup pouches were also created to last from 1 year and 8 months up to 2 years on the shelf.
Lastly, DOST-ITDI partnered with the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to create ready-to-eat food packs for officers in combat or high-risk operations.
Chicken Adobo, Beef Curry, Mixed Vegetables, White Rice, Chicken Afritada, and Bangus Sisig are among the flavors of the "Pack of Duty" food packs, which have a one-year shelf life.
Abaca-reinforced fiber composite
Exploring what natural Philippine fiber has to offer in disaster response, DOST-ITDI also developed a material that can be a suitable replacement for fiberglass and used in transport applications.
The agency created a material that was lightweight, waterproof, and highly durable by combining resin with abaca fiber. This material is ideal for boats used in disaster response operations.
The material has previously undergone successful field testing in Laguna Lake and Pasig River. —VBL, GMA Integrated News
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

5 disaster management innovations showcased at Handa Pilipinas-Luzon 2025
5 disaster management innovations showcased at Handa Pilipinas-Luzon 2025

GMA Network

time2 days ago

  • GMA Network

5 disaster management innovations showcased at Handa Pilipinas-Luzon 2025

BAGUIO CITY – Filipino innovators and researchers showcased this week their latest innovations that will support disaster management efforts across the country. Here are 5 innovative outputs that were on display during the 2025 Handa Pilipinas para sa Bagong Pilipinas Luzon Leg in Baguio: Hemostat Developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, hemostats may be the next must-have in everyone's first-aid kits. Hemostats are granules made from plant cellulose and natural polymers that have been safely exposed to radiation, among other processes, to make a sterile, non-toxic, and biocompatible solution for bleeding. The product is available in two options: granules, which are applied directly to the open wound, and granule-embedded gauze, which may be used for bigger and deeper wounds. Within seconds after being exposed to the hemostat, the blood on the wound will start to coagulate into a jelly-like substance, controlling the bleeding enough to allow a patient to be taken to the hospital. DOST-PNRI is currently negotiating field testing agreements with hospitals such as East Avenue Medical Center and intends to commercialize the product shortly at a price of P100 to P200 per box. Portable unihoused water purification and sterilization apparatus Made by Filipino inventor and engineer Rodrigo Duque, the apparatus has the ability to collect and turn any form of water into clean, potable drinking water. The device creates oxygenated water from any source, including floodwater, by using oscillation and UV sterilization. Through the sterilization process, all types of bacteria, viruses, and oxidizing chemical contaminants will be killed. The best part is that it can also help people recover quickly from dengue fever, food poisoning, and diarrhea—and it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The apparatus is now available in the market at P1.5 million per unit, targeting local government units and schools. Project MOSES Project MOSES aims to change the game on weather forecasting by creating a platform for real-time weather monitoring. The apparatus is a full weather monitoring system and station, which will be collecting data from its installation site that gets updated within seconds up to a minute. Made by Mindoro State University in partnership with DOST–MIMAROPA, Project MOSES currently has one working station installed on Mindoro Island, with others in construction in Victoria, Naujan, and Calapan. Project MOSES is currently in the second phase of development and is looking for additional funding to create data centers and has a long-term goal of installing stations nationwide. Ready-to-eat food packages The DOST–Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) produced several different ready-to-eat and improved food packages that may be used in emergencies like evacuations and military operations. One of their research outputs was all-natural quail and chicken eggs, either in cans or in pouches, that can last up to five or six months. Ginisang Munggo and Chicken Corn Soup pouches were also created to last from 1 year and 8 months up to 2 years on the shelf. Lastly, DOST-ITDI partnered with the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to create ready-to-eat food packs for officers in combat or high-risk operations. Chicken Adobo, Beef Curry, Mixed Vegetables, White Rice, Chicken Afritada, and Bangus Sisig are among the flavors of the "Pack of Duty" food packs, which have a one-year shelf life. Abaca-reinforced fiber composite Exploring what natural Philippine fiber has to offer in disaster response, DOST-ITDI also developed a material that can be a suitable replacement for fiberglass and used in transport applications. The agency created a material that was lightweight, waterproof, and highly durable by combining resin with abaca fiber. This material is ideal for boats used in disaster response operations. The material has previously undergone successful field testing in Laguna Lake and Pasig River. —VBL, GMA Integrated News

DepEd institutionalizes school sports clubs
DepEd institutionalizes school sports clubs

GMA Network

time3 days ago

  • GMA Network

DepEd institutionalizes school sports clubs

The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered the institutionalization of School Sports Clubs (SSCs) in public elementary and secondary schools across the country. DepEd said the move aims to promote students' holistic development and physical fitness and to counteract "pandemic-driven learning loss." 'Kapag mas malusog ang katawan, mas malinaw ang isipan. Kapag mas aktibo ang mga bata, mas handa silang matuto at humabol sa anumang naiwang kaalaman noong pandemya,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. (A healthier body leads to a clearer mind. When children are more active, they are more ready to learn and catch up on any knowledge they missed during the pandemic.) 'Hindi lang ito tungkol sa paglalaro. Ito ay tungkol sa disiplina, teamwork, at tibay ng loob. Mga katangiang dapat bitbit ng mag-aaral hanggang sa tunay na buhay,' he added. (It's not just about playing. It's about discipline, teamwork, and courage—qualities that students should carry into real life.) DepEd said the SSC program complements the Physical Education curriculum with its offering of two to three hours of supervised sports activities per week. This, as DepEd cited data showing that Filipino children and adolescents fail to achieve the World Health Organization's recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily physical activity. Sports clubs According to DepEd, Arnis will be mandatory, while other sports will be offered based on student interest, available facilities, and resources. Unified sports—where learners with and without disabilities are encouraged to play together— will be pushed to aim for inclusivity, strengthen friendships, and reduce bullying incidents. Membership will be voluntary and inclusive, with provisions for learners with disabilities and those in the Alternative Learning System. DepEd also said that existing sports clubs should also be aligned with the new policy, while schools without them are required to establish SSCs. Angara said investing in school sports is investing in academic performance. 'Sa bawat oras na ginugugol nila sa laro at ensayo, pinapalakas din natin ang kanilang konsentrasyon, memorya, at kakayahang magtagumpay sa klase,' he said. (With every hour they spend playing and practicing, we also strengthen their concentration, memory, and ability to succeed in class.) –VAL, GMA Integrated News

The lack of choice: Agency, affordability, and pressures of starting a family
The lack of choice: Agency, affordability, and pressures of starting a family

GMA Network

time3 days ago

  • GMA Network

The lack of choice: Agency, affordability, and pressures of starting a family

Filipino youth often hear the familiar questions, 'kailan ka mag-aasawa' or 'kailan ka magkaka-anak?' ('When are you going to get married?' or 'when are you going to have kids?'). Rarely do we ask the more important ones: Do you have a real choice? Are you ready - emotionally, financially, and with the support you need? Every August, we observe Family Planning Month in the Philippines and in light of the changing demographics and growing economic pressures, it's more important than ever to reframe the conversation. Placing the focus on the right to choose freely and confidently if, when and how to build a family. For too long, the conversation on family planning in the Philippines has been focused on numbers: on whether our fertility rate is too low or too high. But the real issue goes beyond statistics. UNFPA, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency's State of World Population 2025 (SWOP) report tells us the true challenge is reproductive agency. Simply put, we need to make sure that everyone has the right and ability to decide freely about his/her own family life without pressure and more importantly, without barriers. Think of a young Filipino couple, perhaps like Maria and Jose. They might dream of a big family, just one child, or maybe they prefer to have no children at all. Their choice is deeply personal and valid. What truly matters is that they have the freedom and support to make that decision that their dreams for their family can become a reality. The family picture: A snapshot of where we are Family planning, at its core, is about empowering individuals to achieve their desired family size. This includes crucial access to modern family planning methods vital for preventing unintended pregnancies and planning the timing and spacing of children. Beyond this, it's also about the support, information, and resources people need to realize their reproductive aspirations. Whether that means preventing a pregnancy now, or having the resources and environment to welcome children when they are ready, your family picture is for you to create. In many ways, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Law (RA 10354) has already taken this into consideration. It explicitly states that the State recognizes and guarantees "universal access to medically-safe, non-abortifacient, effective, legal, affordable, and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, and supplies". Furthermore, it mandates that "each family shall have the right to determine its ideal family size" and that the State shall equip parents with the necessary information on all aspects of family life, including reproductive health and responsible parenthood, to aid in this decision. The question is: how many Filipinos have achieved their desired family size? Analyzing the microdata from the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), we learned that nearly 70 per cent of Filipino women aged 40 and above had a family size that didn't match what they ideally wanted, with 38.1 per cent reporting fewer children than ideal and 30.2 per cent reporting more than ideal. This gap between dreams and reality is at the heart of the "real fertility crisis." Why our desired families remain out of reach What is stopping young Filipinos from starting the families they dream of? UNFPA's report highlights clear barriers, many of which hit close to home, reflecting persistent systemic challenges. The biggest hurdle is often economic insecurity. The SWOP report found that a staggering 39 per cent of people globally cited financial limits as a reason for not having their desired number of children, Beyond direct financial constraints, job insecurity and housing problems continue to be major challenges. For many young Filipinos, this means struggling to find stable, good-paying jobs while coping with the rising costs of basic needs such as housing, transportation, and food. Social factors also play a big part, particularly the unequal sharing of unpaid care work. Women often spend three to ten times more hours on household chores and caring for family members than men. This imbalance limits women's opportunities and directly affects their choices about having children. When couples share these responsibilities more fairly, they feel more supported and confident in building the families they desire. A focus on choice and hope This Family Planning Month, it's time to shift our focus from numbers to people. The real fertility crisis isn't about how many Filipinos there are, but whether every Filipino has the freedom and support to create the family he or she desires, on his/her own terms. To make this a reality, we must collectively commit to action. And that means fully supporting the implementation of the RPRH Law and ensuring adequate budgets are allocated and spent to reach every Filipino. Real progress means fostering more equitable social structures and shared responsibilities within families. We have to confront and actively challenge outdated and unequal gender norms that put the burden mostly on women. Ultimately, we need to provide comprehensive support to young couples and families by directly addressing the economic and social barriers that stand in the way of their reproductive choices and aspirations. This includes investing in job creation, affordable housing and accessible childcare, foundations that allow families to grow with stability and dignity. By investing in comprehensive health services, promoting economic fairness, upholding human rights, and fully implementing the RPRH Law, we can build a world where young people are not held back by barriers beyond their control. A future where Maria and Jose, and all young Filipinos, can start a family if they choose to, not because they are pressured to, and not because they are denied the chance. This is how we build a more equal, sustainable, and hopeful future for everyone. Jose Roi Avena is the assistant representative and officer-in-charge of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the Philippines.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store