Naalarma ang grupo ng Lila Pilipina sa mga agresibong pagkilos ng bansang Japan sa paggasta dahil naglaan ito ng 51 Bilyong dolyar na pinakamalaki umanong budget na inilaan para gamitin sa produksyon ng missile at pagpapaunlad ng kanilang kakayahang depensa. Hiwalay pa ang pakikipag-alyansa nito sa Estados Unidos na kilalang numero unong nagsusulong ng digmaan sa buong mundo. Sa katunayan nito ang pagtatayo ng limang (5) base militar sa nabanggit na bansa upang magsagawa ng military exercises at iba pang kaugnayan sa pagsusulong ng digmaan.
(L-R) Flowers4Lolas Lead Convenor Teresita Ang Sy, Narcisa Claveria at Estellita Dy – nag-iwan ng sulat at bulaklak sa harap ng Japanese Embassy bilang simbolo ng kanilang panawagan ng katarungan sa gobyerno ng Japan na hindi pa nila nakakamit hanggang sa kasalukuyan.
Dahil dito, nanawagan ang Pinay Japanese survivors kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. na huwag makilahok sa mga pagkilos patungo sa digmaan gamit ang Pilipinas laban sa ibang bansa. Ayon kina Narcisa Claveria at Estelita Dy, magsilbing aral ang kanilang karanasan noong sinakop ng bansang Hapon ang bansang Pilipinas.
Ayon kay Teresita Ang Sy, “Nasa Konstitusyon natin na, our country renounces war as an intrument of national policy, kung tayo magpapasulsol sa malalaking bansa na nag-aaway – nagbabanggaan at tayo ang mga langgam na tinatapak-tapakan nila habang sila ay nagbabanggan at nagbabangayan… paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Lola Estelita at Lola Narcisa – war is never an answer to any conflict… pag-usapan, diplomacies still the best weapon… a handshake is always better than a fist fight – yan ang paulit-ulit nating ibibigay, hindi makikipag-giyera ang Pilipinas! Hindi manggagaling sa Pilipinas kung hindi susulsulan ng ibang malalaking bansa na makipag-away tayo… tayo talaga ang magiging bala sa kanyon ng pakikipaglaban kaya mag-ingat tayo.”
Matatandaan na bago namatay ang batikang ekonomista at Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino Chairman na si Butch Valdes, sinabi nito sa isang talumpati na, “Noon, gaya ngayon, ang sangkatauhan ay nasa isang sangang-daan. Ang isang landas ay humahantong sa digmaan, kawalan ng pag-asa at pagkawasak. Ang iba ay humahantong sa pag-asa, kaunlaran para sa mga susunod na henerasyon. Sa mga kapangyarihang ibinigay sa atin ng ating Lumikha, walang mga limitasyon sa paglago. Gaya ng itinuro sa atin ng kasaysayan, kung tayo ay inuudyukan ng kabutihang panlahat, at kumilos nang may kabutihan para sa kapakanan ng iba, matututo tayong gamitin ang ating mga ilog at karagatan, at maging ang kalawakan, hindi bilang mga hangganan ng teritoryo, kundi bilang mga pintuan o daanan ng komersyo, at pang-ekonomiya at siyentipikong aktibidad upang mapahusay ang kalidad ng buhay ng lahat ng tao sa planetang ito. Taos-puso kong pag-asa na tayong mga mamamayan ng daigdig, mga makabayan ng ating mga bansa, ay gamitin ang tiyak at makasaysayang sandali na ito upang gawin ang kislap na nag-aapoy sa diwa ng isang bagong mundong muling pagsilang.”
“Then, as now, mankind is at a crossroads. One path leads to war, despair and destruction. The other leads to hope, prosperity and development for coming generations. With the powers given to us by our Creator, there are no limits to growth. As history has taught us, if we are motivated by the common good, and act benevolently to the advantage of the other, we will learn to use our rivers and our oceans, and even outer space, not as territorial boundaries, but rather as corridors of commerce, and economic and scientific activity to enhance the quality of life of all human beings on this planet. It is my fervent hope that we citizens of the world, patriots of our countries, use this defining, historic moment to make the spark that ignites the pirit of a new world renaissance.”
National women’s alliance GABRIELA joined the press conference led by Lila Pilipina, an organization of World War II Filipino comfort women and victims of wartime military sexual slavery, at the Aloha Hotel. Joined by the victim-survivor lolas, GABRIELA rang bells and highlighted the unfinished plight of comfort women for justice.
“Even decades after World War II, the story of Filipino comfort women, of the countless women and girls who became victims of military sexual slavery especially under the Japanese occupation, remains unfinished. The war may be over, but the horrors and injustice are not,” cried Clarice Palce, GABRIELA’s Secretary-General.
“Despite the years of demands and demonstrations by comfort women victimized by Japanese military, Japan has still refused to recognize its crimes, meaningfully apologize, and pay reparations for the survivors,” explained Palce. “It is heartbreaking that many of our lolas, in their twilight years, have now passed away without ever seeing justice,” she continued.
“Even more heartbreaking, war is brewing once again. With the United States fully gearing up its Indo-Pacific Strategy in its goal of neutralizing China as their ‘strategic enemy’ in Asia, it has now surrounded the region with troops, ships, guns, and missiles. Military bases are being set up and strengthened in the Philippines, Korea, and Japan,” explained Palce. “Straight out of the warmonger’s playbook, the US is now setting the theater of war. One provocation is all it takes and countries like Japan and the Philippines will inevitably be strung along. It is a war that will be waged once again with Filipino women in the crossfire,” Palce weighed.
“It is cruel and unjust—both for our lolas seeing the possibility of yet another war in the same lifetime, and for the next generations of women and girls who simply wish for a life of peace—to be thrown into the very real horrors of war as a result of US aggression. Today, we ring our bells to symbolize our hope for justice, our resistance to war, and our resonating calls for lasting peace and prosperity,” concluded Palce. ###
Namuhunan ang Manila Water ng 37.3 bilyong halaga ng Three-River System Wastewater Masterplan para tumulong sa rehabilitasyon at protektahan ang mga natural na daanan ng tubig at mabigyan ang dumaraming ‘customer base’ nito ng pinakamahusay na serbisyo sa sanitasyon at sewerage.
Ang masterplan ay nagsasangkot ng malawakang pagtatayo ng wastewater treatment facility at sewer network sa buong Marikina River, San Juan River, Pasig River, at Laguna Lake system na sumusunod sa mga pamantayan sa regulasyon at kapaligiran. Ang mga proyektong ito ng wastewater ay idinisenyo upang kolektahin, ihatid, at gamutin ang wastewater na nabuo sa loob ng kani-kanilang catchment area.
Upang suportahan ang Marikina River System, ang San Mateo-Rodriguez at Quezon City East sewerage system ay tutugon sa mga customer sa ilang bahagi ng Marikina, San Mateo-Rodriguez, Antipolo, at silangang bahagi ng Quezon City. Sa pinagsamang halaga ng proyekto na P10.2 bilyon, ang dalawang sewerage system ay maglilingkod sa humigit-kumulang 129,000 residente pagsapit ng 2046.
Sasakupin ng Mandaluyong West, Quezon City South, at San Juan South Sewerage System ang mga bahagi ng mga catchment na dumadaloy patungo sa San Juan River at Pasig River system. Ang P20 bilyong proyekto ay magkakaroon ng kapasidad na gamutin ang 60 milyong litro (napapalawak sa 120 milyong litro) ng wastewater kada araw na dinadala sa pamamagitan ng 53-kilometrong sewer network.
Bilang karagdagan, ang mga natitirang bahagi ng North at South Pasig Sewerage System ay gagawin din upang makatulong na protektahan ang Pasig River System. Sa pinagsamang halaga ng proyekto na P2.8 bilyon, ang mga sewerage system ay magkakaroon ng mga probisyon sa paggamot para sa mga kabahayan sa Pasig at mga bahagi ng Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Cainta, at Taytay.
Sa silangan ng Metro Manila, nahuhubog na ang P1.6-bilyon na Hinulugang Taktak Sewerage System sa Antipolo City. Aayusin nito ang 16 milyong litro ng wastewater bawat araw bago ito ilabas sa mga daluyan ng tubig. Bukod dito, nakatakda rin ang Manila Water na mag-deploy ng mga bagong desludging truck at magtayo ng Pinugay Septage Treatment Plant.
Ang napakalaking pamumuhunan na ito sa wastewater treatment facility ay naka-angkla sa pagsusumikap sa pagpapanatili ng kapaligiran ng Manila Water, na naglalayong bawasan ang polusyon na dulot ng mga operasyon nito. Naaayon din ito sa pagbibigay-priyoridad ng Administrasyong Marcos sa pagbuo ng climate-resilient infrastructure at, kasabay nito, ay tumutulong sa rehabilitasyon ng kapaligiran. Bukod sa pag-upgrade ng wastewater treatment services nito para protektahan ang natural waterways, partikular na kasangkot din ang kumpanya sa reforestation at proteksyon ng mga pangunahing watershed. Mahigit 1.2 milyong puno ang naitanim ng Manila Water sa pamamagitan ng watershed management program nito noong 2021.#
NANAWAGAN ang iba’t ibang institusyon, organisasyon at ilang indibidwal na Pilipinong nasa industriya ng Metrology ay sumusuporta at nag-i-endorso na ipasa ang batas na nagpapabago sa National Measurement System (NMS) ng Pilipinas.
Ito ang House Bill No. 5617 na inakda ni Honorable Representative Carlito S. Marquez, na pinamagatang “An Act Modernizing the National Measurement System (NMS) of the Philippines, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for Other Purposes”.
Layunin ng inihaing batas sa ika-19 na Kongreso na pagtugmain ang pambansang metrological na mga pamantayan sa internasyonal na pamantayan, pagsasaayos ng pagkilala sa isa’t isa, at istatistikang mga kontrol nanakikita sa ASEAN economic integration, World Trade Organization, at mga internasyonal na kasunduan at tipan, na nagreresulta sa pandaigdigang kumpitensya at kalidad mga produkto at serbisyo;
Matatandaan na ang Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 ay naglalayon na muling pasiglahin ang ekonomiya at pagpapabuti ng kapakanan ng bawat tao sa bansa. Sa ilalim ng Chapter 08 nito, Advance Research and Development, Technology and Innovation. Dahil dito, isinama ang pag-amyenda ng Republic Act No. 9236 o ang “National Metrology Act of 2003, and for Other Purposes” na nalagdaan noong ika-3 ng Pebrero 2004 upang maging “Strengthening of the National Measurement Infrastructure System (NMIS).
Sa kasalukuyan, mayroong limang (5) House Bill at isang (1) Senate bill ang inihain naghahangad na amyendahan o palitan ang umiiral na Metrology Act;
Sa ekslusibong pagdalo ng seminar-workshop nitong Enero 24-25 sa Splendido Hotel sa Tagaytay, napaagkaisahan na ang pagsasabatas ng panukalang ito ay para protektahan ang mga mamimili laban sa mga kahihinatnan ng mga maling sukat, pagbutihin ang pagiging mapagkumpitensya at kahusayan sa industriya, mapabilis ang pag-unlad ng ekonomiya, itaguyod ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga mamamayan, protektahan ang kapaligiran, magbigay ng isang espesyal na sentral na katawan upang pangasiwaan ng imprastraktura ng pagsukat sa bansa, i-coordinate ang mga proseso ng regulasyon na kinasasangkutan ng paggamit ng mga sukat at pagpapataas ng kalidad ng kaisipan, kasanayan at pagpapahalaga kahusayan upang matigil kundi man ay unti-unti maalis ang madalas na kaisipang Pilipino na “Pwede na”.
Ayon kay Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr., sa kanyang mensahe sa workshop sa “NATIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM ACT OF 2023” Bill para sa Modernization ng National Measurement System of the Philippines, “Tinimbang ngunit kulang” – nilalayon ng workshop na bigyang-diin ang halaga ng mga tumpak na sukat at kung paano maaaring makaapekto ang pagpasa ng panukalang batas sa modernisasyon ng sistema ng pagsukat ng Pilipinas.
Ang Metrology, o ang agham ng pagsusukat, ay lumilikha ng isang “karaniwang pag-unawa” sa mga yunit na mahalaga hindi lamang sa mga aktibidad ng tao tulad ng pagluluto at pagkontrol sa temperatura ng appliance kundi pati na rin sa mga malalaking proseso tulad ng produksyon at pagmamanupaktura ng mga produkto sa komersyal na industriya.
Sa kasalukuyan, ang tanggapan ng metrology sa Pilipinas ay kasalukuyang gumagana bilang isang dibisyon o laboratoryo sa ilalim ng DOST-Industrial Technology and Development Institute.# (Cathy Cruz)
Students of Maabud National High School (NHS) in San Nicolas, Batangas can now access hundreds of thousands S&T information even without internet connection through the digital library called SuperSTARBOOKS they received from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas, Jan. 13.
SuperSTARBOOKS is the country’s first digital library, designed to house thousands of digitized science and technology resources in different formats (text, video, and audio) placed inside specially created “pods” set in a user-friendly interface. It stands for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (STARBOOKS), a technology created by the Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII), which has been improved and rebranded as SuperSTARBOOKS. As a standalone information kiosk, information access through STARBOOKS is possible even without internet connection. Because it provides a compendium of S&T information gathered from all over the world, it is regarded as a one-stop S&T information source.
As part of the deployment activity, an Orientation-Training on SuperSTARBOOKS was conducted for thirty-six (36) students and nine (9) teachers of the school beneficiary facilitated by DOST-Batangas staff, Ms. Renalee M. Leyesa and Mr. Cedric L. Rodriguez. The discussion on SuperSTARBOOKS was delivered in a two-part structure. First part covered the introduction to STARBOOKS and orientation on available STARBOOKS platforms. Ms. Leyesa, presented the available platforms which participants can access during normal, new normal and better normal which include STARBOOKS Offline, Online (www.starbooks.ph), Mobile Application, Quiz Application and Geomap Application. Tons of resources itemized as books, magazines, journals, scientific and research papers, disaster preparedness materials, interactive courseware, and K-12 supplement materials were also discussed as contents of STARBOOKS. According to the DOST-STII report, STARBOOKS’ content was upgraded in 2016 to include more materials, such as full-length livelihood videos from the former Technology Resource Center, scientist profiles, DOST publications, Science: Cool Facts, significant dates in Philippine science history, and new science articles.
The second part of the discussion focused on the site admin training for both Offline and Online STARBOOKS. Mr. Rodriguez urged the participants to become familiar with the responsibilities of the site admin which include user assistance, submission of transmittal files, uploading on the citizen’s archive, updating SuperSTARBOOKS contents, and kiosk management.
The roles and responsibilities of Maabud NHS as stipulated in the provisions of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were likewise covered in the discussion. As a fundamental monitoring requirement of DOST-STII, discussion on the quarterly submission of the transmittal file was pursued. This discussion was followed by responses to the participants’ questions and concerns.
Meanwhile, Maabud NHS Principal, Dr. Melani L. Higuit, expressed their gratitude to DOST for the digital library they have received. “Kami po ay napakapalad dahil kami po ay napili ng DOST na mabigyan ng SuperSTARBOOKS na magiging napakalaking tulong po sa aming mga mag-aaral gayundin sa aming mga guro. Kaya naman, taos-puso po ang aming pasasalamat sa DOST,” she mentioned.#
INILUNSAD kamakailan ang People’s Federal Reform Movement for Justice and Reconciliation (PFRMJR), na opisyal na nakatala sa Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), isang pambansang organisasyon na naglalayong isulong ang pederalismo bilang isang mabubuhay na istruktura ng pamamahala para itaguyod ang inklusibong paglago at pag-unlad ng bansa sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
Nagsilbing Inducting Officer si Presidential Management Staff for Visayas na si Undersecretary Mark Roa Gimenez sa mga opisyal ng People’s Federal Reform Movement for Justice and Reconciliation (PFRMJR) nitong Enero 23, 2023 sa Cebu Parklane International Hotel.
Pinangunahan ng Pangulo at batikang abogado na si Joseph Entero, isang Boholano kasama ang kilalang opisyal sa pulitika na si Rudy “Kid” Caneda, na National Liaison Officer ng grupo na pawang mga orihinal na tagapagtaguyod ng pederalismo tulad ng National Movement for Federalism (NamFed), Cebu Movement for Federalism (CemFed).
Kasamang nanumpa sa katungkulan sina Engr. Billy Roseno ng Tacloban City (Secretary General), dating Babatngon Councilor Larry Menzon (Deputy SecGen), Matt Palabrica (Executive Vice President), VP Luzon A.S. Lope Santos Lll, Dr. Girlie Amarillo Vice President National Capital Region, VP Visayas Atty. Gerardo Carillo, VP Mindanao Wilfred War, General Legal Counsel Atty. Si Allan Legaspi, Treasurer Ernest Evangelista at Richard Tumulak bilang Auditor.
Namuno naman bilang National Secretariat ang kilalang organizer ng Mandaue City na si Alvin Fajardo at ang beterano media ng Eastern Visayas Media and Information Officer Dr. Si Nestor Abrematea kasama rin sina Jeffrey Aribal, Carolyn Iglesias at Archimedes Lungay.
Ang mga opisyal at kasapi ng organisasyon ay pawang mga lider ng iba’t ibang kulay pulitika ngunit nagtataguyod ng kanilang sariling karapatan at nagkaisa sa pagsulong ng pederalismo sa bansa.
“The PFRMJR has a very strong line of leaders now. Our National Chairman is PMS Usec Mark R. Gimenez; NAPC Lead Convenor Lope Santos III is VP for Luzon; Asec Penny Disimban of CDA is VP for BARMM,” ayon kay Atty. Joseph Entero, Pangulo ng People’s Federal Reform Movement for Justice and Reconciliation.
Ang grupo ay binuo upang suportahan at tulungan ang administrasyong Marcos sa kanyang kasalukuyan at hinaharap na mga programa at proyekto para sa ikabubuti ng buhay ng mamamayang Pilipino.# (Cathy Cruz)
The Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) and several stakeholders recently joined the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Brown Bag Meetings (BBM) to tackle pressing intellectual property (IP) issues that could be addressed in the Philippine e-Commerce Roadmap 2023 – 2025 that is currently in the works.
In his opening address, IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba gave an overview of the IP activities in the eight key industries of the creative economy, namely Digital Marketing and Online Advertising; Gaming; Digital Art and Photography; Films, Television, and Broadcast Media; Audio Online Media; Press and other Online Literature.
Barba noted that some common online challenges of IP rights holders include the difficulty to stop the spread of IP infringing material and keeping track of online activities that illegally distribute their works.
For users of various IP works, Barba recognized that the challenge lies in the lack of awareness that the commercial use of IP protected works must be duly compensated and attributed to the IP owner. He added that users also struggle with identifying protected works from those that are free to use.
Pending the new e-Commerce Roadmap, Barba assured that IPOPHL will still be intensifying its awareness drive and ensure its inclusiveness by reaching out to various regions this year.
“We will be conducting a nationwide caravan to provide capacity building and information dissemination for the various creative sectors throughout the country,” Barba said.
Barba assured that IPOPHL, as a member of the Philippine Creative Council mandated to further the development of creative industries, will be working with the DTI, other government agencies and content creators “in coming up with an e-Commerce Roadmap that will pave the way for a better digital environment for both IP rights holders and users.”
BBMs, held by the DTI’s e-Commerce Program Office, provide avenues to thresh out issues gripping key e-Commerce players.
Discussions at the BBM on 11 January 2023 was specific to the experiences of creators in the Online Media, aiming to define its current IP protection challenges and solicit solution proposals that could be translated into policies and strategic collaborations under the thrust of the new e-Commerce Roadmap.
“We want you to grow your business through e-Commerce,” DTI Assistant Secretary and e-Commerce Lead Mary Jean T. Pacheco said at the BBM.
“We want you to get more clients and take advantage of the opportunities. This entails protecting your assets. On the other hand, we also want to protect the consumers. You can help in making a more robust e-Commerce,” she added.
Inputs from the BBMs held from November 2022 to January 2023 will contribute to the DTI’s work in updating the e-Commerce 2022 Roadmap which concluded in December 2022. ### (Janina Lim, Information Officer III)
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Astronaut Dr. Koichi Wakata performs William Kevin Abran’s Asian Try Zero G experiment proposal on the Japanese Experimental Module, “Kibo,” aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on 17 January 2023. (Photo courtesy of JAXA/NASA)
The microgravity experiment of Mr. William Kevin Abran, involving the rotation of dumbbell-shaped objects in space, has been performed on the Japanese Experimental Module, “Kibo,” on the International Space Station, and has demonstrated the behavior of rotating dumbbell-shaped objects in space. The ISS live stream capture of the experiment showed that the object moved as expected. The Dzhanibekov effect, or the dancing screw motion, was not that evident during the experiment. However, it cannot be ruled out at the moment. The result of Mr. Abran’s experiment will help in the designs of spacecraft and offer a real-life example affirming the validity of Newton’s Laws of Motion and Ehrenfest Theorem in microgravity. A scientific paper discussing the results of the experiment will be published.
Mr. Abran witnessed the conduct of his experiment via live streaming from the ISS. “I’m very honored to have my experiment conducted by Astronaut Koichi. The result was satisfying knowing that the dumbbell shapes behaved as predicted. Also, watching the experiments proposed by students from other countries gave me a new perspective about the microgravity environment. Hopefully, this initiative inspires more students to continue doing research and be curious about the world around us,” Mr. Abran said.
The rare opportunity was made possible through the Asian Try Zero-G competition organized by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for members of the Asian Beneficial Collaboration through Kibo Utilization in the Asia-Pacific Region. The local call for proposals among Filipino students and researchers was facilitated by PhilSA as part of its education and outreach program. Five (5) qualified experiments came from the Philippines. The competition gathered over 200 submissions from countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and 24 finalists have been selected. Six (6) were chosen to be conducted on the ISS, including that of Mr. Abran. # (Cathy Cruz)
The Department of Science and Technology and the Mariano Marcos State University–Main Campus (MMSU) launched on Thursday, January 19, the Philippines’ first Coastal Engineering and Management R&D Center (COASTER).
The Research Center is housed in MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte in partnership with the Kyoto University of Japan, University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, and other HEIs in Region 1.
The coastal engineering program will aid in the development of innovations to combat coastal erosion, prototype of coastal flood control infrastructure, data book of flood control structures, and coastal engineering design and guidelines handbook to promote coastal resilience.
These projects are aimed to protect resources and the coastal communities from coastal erosion and flooding through effective implementation of S&T-based coastal management.
“DOST continues to offer S&T interventions that are anchored on four thematic areas: Wealth creation, through economic development and job creation; wealth protection, through climate and disaster resilience; human well-being, through health, education, access to water and energy; and sustainability, by ensuring protection and conservation of natural resources,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said.
Secretary Solidum congratulated the research team behind the COASTER led by the program leader, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, for coming up with an innovative approach toward solutions to the coastal erosion threats in the Ilocos region.
“As a staunch advocate of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), I enjoin everyone to take part in these efforts and support the initiatives of DOST, MMSU, and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte. Rest assured that DOST remains committed to serving the Filipino people through science and technology,” he stated.
Dr. Alibuyog stated that the establishment of COASTER is in line with DOST strategic framework, particularly with its long-term vision to provide innovative solutions that will lead to higher productivity and better quality of life especially in coastal communities.
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Region 1 has the nation’s longest shoreline, at 708km, vulnerably exposed to storm surges and tsunamis.
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For the past years, the region experienced high failure incidence of coastal flood control structures, for example, sea walls.
This could be attributed to the yearly occurrence of extreme typhoons and the normal tear and wear of infrastructure projects.
Thus, the need to establish the first wave flume testing facility in the country where COASTER will find ways to improve the way we design and implement our coastal infrastructure.
DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit also expressed his support for this milestone.
“The Council has high hopes for the future projects of COASTER. We anticipate that more coastal communities will be empowered to use the technologies and innovations of COASTER once they become familiar with the programs, technologies, and resources that this research center provides,” Dr. Paringit said.
Heads of various agencies, as well as provincial and local governments in Region I expressed support for COASTER.
DOST funded the facility through its Science for Change Program (S4CP) – Niche Center in the Regions (NICER) program and monitored by DOST-PCIEERD.#
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – January 16, 2023: Winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize (front row) from global high schools, NPOs and other organizations show their recognition awards across five categories.
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, presented awards to the 10 winners of the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize today.
The Prize’s Awards Ceremony coincided with the beginning of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).
The ceremony was also attended by H.H. Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior; H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court; H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council; H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Court; Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; along with a number of Sheikhs and senior officials.
Also, present were various heads of state, ministers, and other senior-level dignitaries from the UAE and abroad, in addition to past winners, and the 2023 finalists.
His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed congratulated winners across the five categories, reasserting the Prize’s role as a global catalyst for sustainability and humanitarian action.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – January 16, 2023: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (R), presents the 2023 Zayed Sustainability Prize for Middle East & North Africa Global High Schools to a representative from Gifted Students School Niniveh (Iraq), during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2023), at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
( Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court )
In his remarks on the Awards Ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, said: “The UAE continues to lead on important global initiatives at the heart of our mission to create a better future for all, both within the UAE and beyond our nation’s borders. The bold ambition of the Zayed Sustainability Prize remains at the forefront of these efforts. It creates a pathway for delivering life-changing humanitarian aid and solutions to communities around the world.”
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan underscored how this year, which marks 15 years of the Prize, will also be a historic year for the UAE as it prepares to host the 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP 28) to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). Against this backdrop, this year’s awards serve as an important reminder of the need for greater international collaboration to mobilise climate action and create sustainable economic and social development opportunities across all nations, including the global south.
His Highness continued: “Over the last 15 years, the Zayed Sustainability Prize has successfully built upon the legacy of the UAE’s Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed, and carried forward his bold humanitarian vision, ensuring that the resources of our great nation are fully used to the benefit of all people. Today, the Zayed Sustainability Prize stands an internationally recognised award that mobilises innovators, social entrepreneurs and young people to accelerate positive change for our planet and all people.”
The US$3 million Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability that recognises and rewards small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations and high schools around the world that are delivering impactful, innovative and inspiring solutions in health, food, energy and water.
Through its 96 former winners, the Prize has transformed the lives of more than 378 million people around the world since 2008, including in Vietnam, Nepal, Sudan, Ethiopia, Maldives and Tuvalu. In the Health, Food, Energy, and Water categories, each winner receives US$600,000, while the Global High Schools category has six winners, representing six world regions, with each winner receiving up to US$100,000.
His Highness also emphasised the need to develop bright young people into the critical thinkers and sustainability leaders of tomorrow, and praised the Prize’s Global High Schools category, which empowers youth to play an active role in supporting their communities’ socio-economic development.
In the Health category, Brazil’s Associação Expedicionários da Saúde (EDS) was awarded the Prize for its Mobile Hospital Complex, which provides specialised medical and surgical care for indigenous communities geographically isolated within the Amazon. The objective of the Mobile Hospital Complex is to reach the most difficult areas in the Amazon, guaranteeing the safety and comfort of patients and excellence in the quality of services provided. Over the course of six expeditions from 2015 – 2022, the nonprofit organisation performed more than 1,900 surgeries that improved health outcomes, including improved vision after cataract surgery.
Ÿnsect from France was the Food category winner for its important work in insect-based protein and natural fertilisers. The SME produces insect protein and natural insect fertilisers at Europe’s first-of-its-kind insect factory equipped with innovative vertical farming and integrated biorefining setup. Ÿnsect processes two insect species (molitor and buffalo mealworms) into high-end, high-value ingredients for the entire food chain—plants, fish, farmed animals, pets, and humans. Ÿnsect is currently building a new factory in France and operates two other sites in France and the Netherlands. By 2025, Ÿnsect will be able to produce more than 1,500 tonnes of protein per month.
In the past five years, Ÿnsect has improved the lives of 30 million people by delivering sustainable, natural, premium nutrition products for fish farming (as an alternative fish feed to meet aquaculture’s food supply needs) and human nutrition. The demo plant currently operated by the company produces 30 tonnes of protein production per month.
In the Energy category, the Jordan-based NeuroTech developed Al-based algorithms with a blockchain-based transaction system to bring reliable energy access to refugee camps. The SME employs the concept of energy sharing by separating electrical loads into low- and high-priority streams. Thus, beneficiaries are guaranteed to receive their lifesaving energy, and extra energy goes to low-priority feeders, according to energy availability. Sophisticated energy management and control reduces electricity stress and increases consumer awareness about electricity.
During its pilot phase, NeuroTech helped deliver electrical power to more than 10,000 Syrian refugees in Azraq. By optimising energy usage and distribution, NeuroTech has helped reduce the pressure on the camp’s main hospital respiratory section by making electricity available 24/7. Patients now can use a personal nebulizer, a medical device used during the COVID-19 pandemic, and for people with a chronic breathing illness.
LEDARS (Local Environment Development and Agricultural Research Society), an NPO from Bangladesh, secured the Water category win for its integrated water resource management model that solves water scarcity issues in disaster-prone areas. Their combination of technologies help transforms communities in Bangladesh so people can have access to safe drinking water and climate smart livelihoods.
With the support of LEDARS, 5,250 bio-sands-filters, 65 pond-sand-filters, 185 rainwater harvesting systems, and 69 protective ponds were installed in communities in Bangladesh, supporting cultivation of paddies and vegetables throughout the year on lands that were previously barren. LEDARS initiatives created access to safe drinking water for at least 15,881 families. As a result of this solution, more than 12 million gallons of water have been saved.
The Chair of the Jury and former President of the Republic of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, said: “This year’s winners have demonstrated a new level of creativity and ambition in their solutions to tackle pressing global challenges. We are confident that these winners will provide meaningful and scalable impact in communities across the world, and in turn accelerate important climate action goals to help secure a sustainable future for all.”
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Since our nation’s wise leadership established the Zayed Sustainability Prize 15 years ago, the Prize has become a key supporter of the UAE’s vision to drive inclusive climate action and international sustainable development. By providing real-world solutions in sustainability to vulnerable communities around the world, the Prize honours Sheikh Zayed’s contribution towards social good, and elevates humanity on a global scale.
“Our 106 winners are driving action to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. Through their commitment to championing positive action, millions of people who were living without access to energy, water, healthcare, or food in the developing world, now have sustainable economic and social development opportunities, including access to quality education, decent work, economic growth and improved livelihoods.”
H.E. Al Jaber added: “As the UAE prepares to host COP28 later this year, the Zayed Sustainability Prize stands as a critical reminder of the UAE’s commitment to accelerating practical solutions needed to help societies mitigate and adapt to climate change.”
Since 2013, the Prize has awarded 46 high schools under its Global High Schools category from countries around the world. Students at these schools won for their self-led project proposals that have since been implemented by the youth. Collectively, they have generated 7.2 million kWh of electricity, saved 5,700 tons of CO2 and positively impacted 427,408 people in their communities.
The recipients of the 2023 Global High School awards are Fundacion Bios Terrae – ICAM Ubate (Colombia), representing The Americas; Romain-Rolland-Gymnasium (Germany), representing Europe & Central Asia; Gifted Students School (Iraq), representing the Middle East & North Africa region; UWC East Africa – Arusha Campus (Tanzania), representing Sub-Saharan Africa; Dhaka Residential Model College (Bangladesh), representing South Asia, and finally, Kamil Muslim College (Fiji) from the East Asia & Pacific region.
The winners were selected from a pool 4,538 – a record number of submissions – chosen by a panel of more than 40 experts. The Jury members include H.E. Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Former President of the Republic of Iceland, UAE ministers, Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group, Dr. Andreas Jacobs, Chairman of INSEAD, Jacobs Family Council, among others.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize is the UAE’s pioneering global award in sustainability and a tribute to the legacy of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Established in 2008, the Zayed Sustainability Prize aims to drive sustainable development and humanitarian action by recognising and rewarding small and medium-sized enterprises, nonprofit organisations, and high schools that are delivering impactful, innovative and inspiring solutions in the categories of Health, Food, Energy, Water and Global High Schools. In 2023, the Zayed Sustainability Prize is celebrating 15 years of delivering humanitarian impact around the globe. Through its 96 winners, the Prize has positively impacted the lives of more than 378 million people across 150 countries.
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