The Philippine Council for Industry and Energy Research and Development (PCIERD) awarded the winners of the 8th Regional S&T Fora and Competitions for the NCR, Luzon and Visayas–Mindanao (Vis-Min) Cluster last February 24, 25 & 26 respectively at the FNRI Training Room, Science Community Complex, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City .

agging the first prize for the National Capital Region cluster is Maria Gracia Peralta from the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) with her study entitled “Non-Cyanide Electroplating Technology.” The gold plating technology’s winning feature is its non-use of cyanide, an environmentally unsafe compound.  Placing second and third respectively are Shalom Brian Mercader of the College of Engineering, UP-Diliman for the study entitled “The Design and Evaluation of an Ozone Contractor-Reactor for Color and Organic Matter Removal in Distillery Wastewater” and Dr. Susan M. Gallardo of Asian Regional Research Programme on Environmental Technology, De La Salle University for her paper on the “Development of Windrow Composting as an Alternative Sludge Management for a recycled Paper Mill in the Philippines.”

Meanwhile, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) ruled the Luzon Cluster competition with the FPRDI’s research “Development and Commercialization of Locally Designed Moisture Meter.” The study determines the amount of moisture found in wood to check the material’s suitability  for furniture making. The second prize was awarded to  Prima Fe R. Franco of the Mariano Marcos State University for the study entitled “First and Second Generation Bioethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum Using Locally Isolated Micro-organisms.”  Engr. Belen Bisana, also of the FPRDI, got the third prize for the study “Bamboo Veneer Lathe Technology Innovation for Commercialization.”

“Drawing in Young Researchers into the Regional Health Research Systems” will be the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development’s (PCHRD) theme for its anniversary this year to be held March 19 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Manila. PCHRD is one of the five sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro will give the opening message and Department of Health Secretary Esperanza I. Cabral will be the anniversary keynote speaker.

Highlight of the program is a panel discussion on the role of young researchers in sustaining regional and national health research systems. The panelists will share their experiences as researchers and how they grew in their research career. Dr. Josette Biyo, Director of the Philippine Science High School - West Visayas Campus, will set the tone of the panel discussion.