RDC committee pushes more science innovation

By Marlo T. Lubguban

BAGUIO CITY – Only in its third meeting after its creation by the Regional Development Council in February, the regional research, development and innovation committee (RRDIC) chaired by Det. Of Science and Technology listed its accomplishments and prospects for 2019.

Accomplishments include the resolution endorsing the proposal “Precision agriculture for seed potato production research and development center,” the conduct of the first landslide forum on Dec. 5, 2018, and the ongoing crafting of the Cordillera regional weaving development plan.

Bantog also presented research prospects of the committee which involve various research and development centers such as the Regional Textile Research and Development Center, Mining Research and Development Center, Tuklas Lunas Development Center, and the Indigenous People Research and Development Center.

Continuing partnerships with private institutions were also highlighted with the presentations of Saint Louis University and the University of the Cordilleras. Saint Louis University presented the convergence resilience program under the SLU incubator for research innovation and business (SIRIB) which nurtures entrepreneurship among engineering students of SLU. UC later presented the Geographic Information System Innovation Lab (GIS InnoLab), a DOST-funded project focused on formulating maps for use in various planning and development by private and public agencies and institutions in the region.

The committee commended the projects and urged them to focus on the most pressing needs of the region such as disaster response and mitigation.

Later, NEDA-CAR economic development specialist Jose Dado presented the proposed coverage of CAR in the Philippine LiDAR (light detection and ranging) program of DOST-UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (TCAGD) in UP Diliman.

 The LiDAR can provide hazard mapping resources for use in the region’s disaster vulnerability assessment and risk mitigation efforts. This was first proposed during the first landslide forum. However, the LiDAR covers only one-third of the Philippines and CAR is not yet included.

National Economic Development Authority research division chief Carmel Matabang noted that the committee must identify a government agency to act as the implementing body for the proposal to access the funding for the project.

Created Feb. 23, 2018 by the Regional Development Council, the RRDIC aims to harmonize and prioritize research and development activities in the region towards regional development. -- NEDA-SPCAR