In celebration of its 51st founding anniversary, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), for the first time, recognized outstanding achievements in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sector with the Council’s S&T Innovations in Agri-Aqua (SINAG) Awards.
The SINAG Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations whose works are instrumental in the successful adoption and commercialization of DOST-PCAARRD-funded technologies.
The SINAG award consists of three categories: Innovator, Facilitator/Enabler, and Adopter. The Innovator Award aims to recognize the merit of the technology being commercialized. Meanwhile, the Facilitator/Enabler Award recognizes the efforts of individuals who were critical in the whole process of commercialization. Lastly, the Adopter Award is given to successful institutions that commercialize a licensed technology and have secured a stable operation and market of products produced using the technology.
Best Innovator
For her work in the development of African Swine Fever Virus test kits, Dr. Clarissa Yvonne J. Domingo takes home the Best Innovator Award. With her expertise in the field of molecular diagnostics, the development of the rapid test kit has been instrumental in accelerating the efforts of the government to manage and control the spread of animal diseases, particularly the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
Dr. Clarissa Yvonne J. Domingo, recipient of the 2023 SINAG Award Best Innovator. (Image Credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Best Facilitator/Enabler
Bagging the Best Facilitator/Enabler Award is the Capiz State University-Intellectual Property Management Office (CAPSU-IPMO). CAPSU-IPMO has demonstrated strategic and relevant technology commercialization strategies, which generated positive impact to technology generators, adopters, and beneficiaries. It has been instrumental in the protection of the intellectual properties of the university that include two patents, 298 utility models, 285 copyrights, and two trademarks. It was able to commercialize two CAPSU technologies through spin-off companies and supported a total of 26 incubatees, 13 of which are new enterprises.
Capiz State University-Intellectual Property Management Office (CAPSU-IPMO), recipient of the 2023 SINAG Award Best Facilitator/Enabler. (Image Credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Best Adopter
The SINAG Award Best Adopter was a tie between Vera Bella Enterprises and Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center. Both adopters showed commendable work, scale of operation and implementation, and impact on various stakeholders through the successful adoption and commercialization of DOST-PCAARRD-funded technologies.
With the technology, “Process of eliminating fishy taste and smell of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), to process it into Ice Cream and Cookies,” was able to develop and expand their business. The company has shown strong dedication and commitment to innovate and scale up its operation. Since its establishment in 2020, it has generated an income of more than P1.7 M, and its employment grew from 4 to 18 personnel.
Vera Bella Enterprises, recipient of the 2023 SINAG Award Best Adopter. (Image Credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center, recipient of the 2023 SINAG Award Best Adopter. (Image Credit: ACD, DOST-PCAARRD)
Meanwhile, Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center's adoption of the “African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) Nanogold Biosensor Test Kit” resulted in the promotion of effective and efficient ASF test kits for farmers and growers. It served as an avenue to address the nationwide efforts on biosecurity and control measures for the African Swine Fever Virus including the calibrated repopulation of commercial and small hold swine farms. The adopted technology has a 90 percent detection rate, which is nine times faster and three times more affordable than the current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. The company has helped more than 500 swine farms in 11 provinces nationwide in preventing the spread of the ASF virus. Since its establishment in 2021, the company has generated an income of more than P6.7 M.