ISABELA CITY, Basilan, July 11 (PIA) –- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Region IX and the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) held the Regional Invention Contests and Exhibit (RICE) in Dipolog City, last week.
In a press release, Aristotle Carandang, S&T Media Service of DOST 9 said that RICE is a competition that recognizes the best works of local inventors and researchers. He said “the DOST continuously recognizes the important role of inventions and innovations in national development as they help accelerate and sustain economic growth.”
The RICE is a support initiative of the DOST through TAPI in carrying out the provisions of Republic Act 7459 also known as the National Inventors and Inventions Incentives Act of the Philippines.
In her message, DOST IX Regional Director Brenda Nazareth-Manzano said, “this year’s celebration is extra special as we simultaneously stage part of the weeklong activity of the RICE, a competition that recognizes the best works of local inventors and researchers, whose ideas, inventions and innovations have, in one way or another, helped usher our region’s development.”
Moreover, Engr. Edgar Garcia, Director of DOST-TAPI underscored the importance of inventions and innovations as they push the country to become more competitive by opening and expanding opportunities for industrial and intellectual properties.
“The functional and user-friendly innovations that we will witness and discover at RICE-IX hopefully will contribute in helping the country move forward and keep pace with the changing times,” Garcia said, adding that “the RICE here in Dipolog City is the first in Mindanao and [in] the country this year 2011.”
In her message, Dipolog City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy committed to support activities and programs that bring positive impact to people’s lives. She said that events such as this helped people understand the significant role played by local scientists, inventors, engineers, and researchers for nation building.
Zamboanga Del Norte Governor Rolando E. Yebes also sent his message to the participants, saying that the provincial government and the Zanortehanos were grateful to be part of the event as they acknowledge the importance of science and technology in today’s society.
R.A. 7459 provides for the selection and granting of cash rewards to Outstanding Inventions (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Models, Outstanding Industrial Designs, Outstanding Creative Researches (Likha Award), and Outstanding Student Creative Researches (Sibol Award) for high school and college students.
The culmination of the inventions contests is held annually every November dubbed as the National Invention Contests and Exhibits where winners in different regions compete.
“The RICE is a strategic venue to develop their big ideas into innovative products and services to benefit not just the regions but the rest of Mindanao and the country,” Engr. Garcia added.
Winners of RICE 2011 were awarded lasy July 9 at Lee Plaza City Central. The RICE was held back-to-back with the Regional Science and Technology Week, a forerunner of the National Science and Technology Week starting July 27 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. (JPA/RVC/APC-DOST -PIA9 BaSulTa)
Source: PIA