DOST Launches MEIC and Introduces Innovative Solutions to Industries and Academe in Caraga Region
by Faith P. Macatangay
October 12, 2023
Project Unveiling of MEIC
"We are inviting Surigao del Norte scientists, innovators to be with Surigao del Norte State University (SNSU). We will be able to serve you by providing you the necessary facilities for your innovation (and) invention," was what Dr. Gregorio Z. Gamboa Jr., SNSU President confidently said during the project launching of the SNSU Technology Business incubator (TBI) Waves, and project unveiling of the Metals and Engineering Innovation Center, and the Bamboo Industry Research and Innovation Center of Surigao del Norte.”
The project unveiling was part of the 2023 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTIW) in Caraga, held on September 29, 2023, at the SNSU Main Gymnasium, Surigao City.
Dr. Agusting M. Fudolig receives the Plaque of Recognition during the Project Launching of the SNSU Technology Business incubator (TBI) Waves, and Project Unveiling of the Metals and Engineering Innovation Center, and the Bamboo Industry Research and Innovation Center of Surigao del Norte
The DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), through the MEIC, aims to bring science, technology, and innovation (STI) to the countryside by serving as a hub that encourages research and development (R&D) project collaborations among the industry, the academe, and other government agencies in the regions.
During the project’s first phase, five MEICs were already established in Regions I, II, III, X, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). MEIC in the Caraga Region is one of the 10 more innovation centers to be put under the project's second phase.
On sharing her expectations for the MEIC, DOST Surigao del Norte Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Director Mariel P. Makinano said, "there will be a series of capacity building activities related to metalworking which will benefit not only the metalworking industry but also our mining companies in Caraga region." In addition, Dir. Makinano also mentioned that "the facility is already being built in Surigao City but the expected delivery of equipment will be in 2024, in collaboration with MIRDC."
Dr. Fudolig, resource speaker, discusses DOST-MIRDC's Research, Development, and Innovation Outputs to Surigaonos
During his presentation entitled "DOST-MIRDC's Research, Development, and Innovation Outputs," Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig, DOST-MIRDC Deputy Executive Director for R&D and MEIC Project Leader, emphasized that through the equipment that the Center will provide, MEIC-SNSU can now fabricate various equipment, such as spray dryer and water retort, which are two of the food processing equipment designed and developed by the DOST-MIRDC.
More Innovative Solutions Provided by the DOST-MIRDC
Dr. Fudolig also presented the DOST-MIRDC facilities that can assist in boosting the local metalworking and allied industries. He highlighted the technologies developed by the Center, emphasizing that the R&D programs of the DOST-MIRDC are focused on four priority areas - agro-industrial machinery, health, mass transport, and defense and security.
The following are some of the innovations developed under each sector of its R&D program: farm mechanization machineries and automation system for smart farming for agro-machinery, development of localized and low-cost hemodialysis machine and adult ventilator for health, hybrid mass transport vehicles to solve traffic congestion and lack of public transport, and remote controlled weapon system for the Philippine Navy and a 3D printed improvised explosive device (IED) disruptor for the Philippine Army for defense and security.
For possible R&D collaborations and more information on the Center’s available technologies and services, interested parties may contact the DOST-MIRDC through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For updates on DOST-MIRDC’s activities, follow our official Facebook page dostmirdc, and visit our website at mirdc.dost.gov.ph.
