Latest news with #RenatoSolidumJr.
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DOST opens innovation hub in Baguio
BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has opened its newest innovation hub Baguio City, Benguet on Friday. The DOST iHub aims to become a technology-driven facility that encourages students, entrepreneurs, and people from all walks of life to pursue innovation, research, creativity, and collaboration. The newest iHub, located just across SM Baguio and right beside the University of the Cordilleras, is one of the two iHubs established in Benguet. DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., during the launching of the hub, stated that the hub was 'a missing link' that bridged gaps in the DOST's ecosystem between science and business. 'So this is really for everyone, this is really an innovation hub that will start from below and we hope that this will be maximized by the people of Baguio City, Cordillera, because this is being established for you, not for DOST,' said Solidum. He encouraged the public to pitch innovative ideas that could be eligible for funding under DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, which can provide funding of up to P5 million. There are 48 iHubs launched so far nationwide, and DOST aims to have one for every province by 2028.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH better prepared for natural disasters, but risks now higher
BAGUIO CITY – Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. believes that while the Philippines is more prepared for natural disasters, the risks they pose have become much higher. During a press conference of the Luzon leg of the Handa Pilipinas para sa Bagong Pilipinas 2025 and the 2025 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Cordillera Administrative Region, Solidum noted that the increased risks are due to the country's higher population. 'Given the developments, we are much better prepared now than before. But, the reality is preparedness is relative. As we increase our population, the risk is also getting higher. Why? Because more people will be affected as we increase population. What is important is that we prepare for large scale disasters,' he said. Solidum noted there was a significant divide in terms of risks between urban and rural areas, as urban areas tend to have a higher concentration of people and non-engineered structures. 'Napakaraming tao, napakaraming gusali… Maraming tao nagpupunta at naninirahan sa mga delikadong lugar sa bahay dahil may oportunidad na makapagtrabaho… Maraming non-engineered structures sa mga urban areas tulad sa Metro Manila. Kung titignan natin, mataas ang risk sa urban areas,' the DOST secretary said. (There are a lot of people, and a lot of buildings… There are many people who come over and live in dangerous areas because there are opportunities to work… There are a lot of non-engineered structures in urban areas like Metro Manila. If we look at it, there is a higher risk in urban areas.) He stressed the importance of being prepared across multiple industries, as he believes a lack of preparedness would lead to more victims of future disasters, both natural and man-made. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) stated that they are continuously updating their policies and modernizing their protocols and systems for disaster risk response. OCD Officer in Charge – Administrator Assistant Secretary Bernardo Alejandro IV said they are using several platforms developed by DOST to make correct and accurate forecasts and plans. Among the tools in development are the 'Plan Smart, Ready to Respond' digital tool that is designed to help decision-makers assess disaster response based on drafted scenarios and recommended steps by the system. 'Continuous yung aming paggamit at pag-modernize ng mga sistema na yan, making sure na science-based ang aming desisyon when we do our pre-disaster risk assessment. (The usage and modernization of these systems are continuous, making sure that our decisions are science-based when when we do our pre-disaster risk assessment.) We are updating how we do contingency planning… We are integrating science-based solutions or anticipatory planning models emphasizing on early warning and risk assessment,' he said. Alejandro said the OCD aims to use early warning systems to improve government's reaction time. 'That's why science-based tools, early warning tools ay 'di lang basta basta mareceive yung warning but dapat it should translate into concrete actions sa ating LGUs at even sa communitites…. Dati, nakakareceive tayo ng alert. What do we do with that message? Yun yung gusto natin paghandaan pa,' he shared. (That's why science-based tools, early warning tools are not just receiving warnings but must translate into concrete actions with our LGUs and even communities… Before, we received alerts. What do we do with that message? That is what we need to prepare for.) 'Continuous policy and governance reforms na ginagawa namin, inuupdate natin yung ating mga frameworks to align with the regional and even international frameworks. And yung ating tuloy tuloy na proactive risk governance. Rest assured that the OCD is really embracing technology and data-innovation in modernizing our risk system,' he added. (Our policies and governance reforms are continuous, and we are updating our frameworks to align with the regional and even international frameworks. And our proactive risk governance is continuous. Rest assured that the OCD is really embracing technology and data-innovation in modernizing our risk system.) Investing in innovation Solidum noted that while there are a lot of good projects and ideas in the Philippine market, there is a need for them to be commercialized and scaled up to make notable changes in their respective sectors. In line with this, he shared that the DOST has launched programs like Propel to connect innovators with potential investors. 'We cannot adapt it by just producing one piece at the time. To do that, we have to engage many people so that they invest in it,' he said. 'Disaster risk reduction is part of economic development because extreme disasters wipe out economic development gains that many provinces would attain. That is why in our strategy, creation of wealth must be in tandem with protection of wealth… Ultimately, whether it's related to disasters or not, commercialization of products and development will be the priority,' he added. He also said that part of the DOST priorities is to talk to partner institutions like DILG and OCD for better planning and dissemination of platforms, and capitalize on the presence of higher educational institutions to develop science-based solutions. Flood management On the topic of flood, Solidum shared that the country needed flood management. 'Flood control is a very narrow part of flood management. Kapag sinabi mong control, ko-control mo tubig. (If you say flood control you are controlling the water.) Its only structural input. When we talk about flood management, you have to look at the whole water shed from the river to the shoreline. We have different types of flood,' he said. He also noted that the country must improve on waste management. 'Rivers and drainages are supposed to convey water. They're not supposed to convey trash, sofa and refrigerator… So we need to look at the overall system collectively. You don't only look at the engineering but the genetic, hydraulics, and really look into how water can be managed,' he said. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOST to focus on developing ASF vaccines
BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently placing their focus on developing vaccines to combat African Swine Fever (ASF). During an interview at the Handa Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas 2025 Luzon Leg on Thursday, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that the agency was still waiting for the bill on the proposed virology issued to be signed, but are currently looking into developing preventions for ASF. 'Even though we were still developing that bill in Congress and in the Senate, the lower house and the Senate in Congress, we have been funding virology and vaccine research projects… We're looking into ASF,' he said. 'The virology is not simply preparing for the next pandemic, but also to address current food security issues like African Swine Fever and plant diseases that are existing that are affecting our food production,' he added. Earlier, the DOST launched several rapid testing kits for ASF as part of their efforts to protect the Philippine swine industry. 'We showed the technology how to get DNA out of blood and how to analyze it faster. We hope to develop a vaccine together and perhaps other private companies can do it,' Solidum said. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
DOST renews bilateral agreements with Indian counterparts
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the opening ceremony of the Luzon leg of the Handa Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas 2025. Jiselle Anne Casucian/GMA Integrated News BAGUIO CITY – A renewed bilateral agreement with India has been signed with the Philippines, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Thursday. During an interview with DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. at the opening ceremony of the Luzon leg of the Handa Pilipinas sa Bagong Pilipinas 2025, he shared the renewed agreement will cover this year to 2028. 'This will cover a broad topic but very critical, like for example biotechnology and subject related to smart agriculture, artificial intelligence, battery storage, vaccine development, oceans and atmosphere to name a few,' said Solidum. 'My agreement with my counterpart is just like bilateral agreements with countries… India is a very important partner because they do a lot of (research and development) but they can scale up the results in a cheaper manner,' he added. He also shared that the previous agreement with India ended in 2022, and would have yielded three projects if not for the Covid-19 pandemic. Solidum said both countries are now looking into establishing working groups to discuss programs and collaborations. 'We can learn a lot from them and vice versa, [and] they can also learn from the other things they are interested in [like] blue economy and geospatial work, which we also do,' he shared. The agreement between DOST and India was one of the partnerships resulting from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent five-day state visit to India. In addition to the renewed DOST bilateral agreement with India, tourists from the Philippines may now enter India on free e-visas as part of 'facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges." Marcos was also able to talk to Indian business leaders and urged them to invest in the Philippines, with directives to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to place effort towards a Philippine-India Preferential Trade Agreement. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOST unveils early detection kits for ASF
In a bid to reinforce its commitment to combat the threat of African Swine Fever (ASF) and secure the future of the country's swine industry, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), unveiled three locally developed technologies for early detection, rapid response, and long-term prevention of African Swine Fever (ASF), a viral disease that devastated the Philippine swine sector since 2019. Through the DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) in collaboration with DOST-Industrial Technology and Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), and BioAssets Corporation, a media conference was recently held to publicly announce the solution to the virus, which was a major challenge to local swine producers. ASF, a highly contagious hemorrhagic fever caused by the ASF virus, affects both domestic and wild pigs regardless of age. Since its detection in the Philippines in 2019, the disease has severely reduced local hog inventory, with numbers dropping from 12.7 million heads in 2019 to 8.75 million in 2024-2025. The significant decline in hog supply has led to pork prices nearly doubling—from ?224.19/kg to ?450.00/kg. According to Dr. Synan S. Baguio of DOST-PCAARRD, fluctuations in raw material and animal feed prices significantly impact the overall cost of pork production, thereby influencing market pork prices. ASF is not transmissible to humans, but its effects on agriculture, food security, and livelihood are severe. There is currently no effective treatment, and while vaccines are under validation, prevention remains the most effective strategy. Symptoms of ASF include fever, loss of appetite, low energy, weight loss, internal and external hemorrhages, abortion, and sudden death. Because ASF signs resemble those of Classical Swine Fever, laboratory testing is essential for accurate diagnosis. Innovations for early detection and response Featured at the event were cutting-edge diagnostics and containment tools, including the TUSLOB® Rapid DNA Extraction Kit and the VIPtec® ASFV Real-time PCR Detection Kit—both developed by DOST-ITDI to enable fast, field-deployable ASF detection. These kits provide rapid, accurate, and high-quality DNA extraction from the blood samples of potentially ASF-infected pigs. Designed to be user-friendly and optimized for locally circulating ASF strains, the tools support on-site testing in veterinary and agricultural settings, aiding in the control of ASF outbreaks and the reduction of economic losses. Notably, the TUSLOB® Rapid DNA Extraction Kit is equipment-free. Also showcased was the first Filipino-made Mobile Biocontainment Laboratory, developed by BioAssets Corporation with support from DOST's Business Innovation Through S&T (BIST) Program, which brings diagnostic capability directly to outbreak sites. DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the urgency of local innovation, 'Napaka-importante na ipakita natin na kayang gawin ng mga Pilipino ang mga teknolohiya na makakatulong sa pag-address sa ating problema sa pagkain.' (It's very important to show that Filipinos are capable of developing technologies that can help address our food-related problems). National context and government collaboration ASF has impacted 76 of the country's 82 provinces since 2019, with 6 provinces having active cases as of 11 July 2025, which consequently, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has called for an additional production of two million hogs annually to meet its recovery targets. To temporarily fill supply gaps, pork imports increased by 25.9% in Q1 2025, with 53.2% of those imports being pork, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Solidum also emphasized the critical importance of establishing the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), not only to combat ASF but also to address other emerging diseases and viral threats. 'With VIP, we can boost our country's capacity to anticipate, detect, and respond to emerging and re-emerging viral threats—not just for animals, but for plants and humans as well,' explained Solidum. 'Why do we need to establish one in the Philippines and why not use other solutions from other countries? Simply because, the strains that we may have may be different from the strains that other vaccines developed in other countries are addressing.' On the other hand, Central Luzon State University was also highlighted as one of the institutions funded by DOST-PCAARRD to develop test kits for the early and accurate detection of ASF. In addition, Solidum also mentioned that the DOST-ITDI has received Php190 million in funding to develop a vector-based subunit vaccine for ASF, which is now in its second year of molecular development. Through the National ASF Prevention and Control Program, the DA-BAI has implemented a multi-pronged strategy that includes: ? LGU Engagement – Strengthening coordination with local government units ? Surveillance – Monitoring outbreaks through tools like TUSLOB and VIPTec, providing real-time data for timely interventions ? Biosecurity – Enforcing vehicle disinfection, farm hygiene, and movement control ? Capability Awareness – Training stakeholders to effectively respond to ASF cases ? Repopulation – Supporting hog farmers in rebuilding swine industry after an outbreak occur to ensure food security. Moving Forward The DOST, together with DA-BAI, urged all stakeholders—from commercial producers to backyard raisers—to cooperate in enforcing strict biosecurity protocols, report suspected cases promptly, and participate in surveillance and repopulation programs. DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora also encourages the private sector to provide honest feedback on the usefulness and limitations of these technologies, so that real-world challenges can be effectively addressed. This initiative aims at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions, Opportunities for All. For more information, visit
