Cebu: Innovations aimed at aiding farmers, improving urban planning, and evaluating the health benefits of certain fruits were recently celebrated in the Visayas during the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibitions by Cluster (ClusteRICE). These innovative entries will represent the Visayas in the 2026 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE), an event organized by the Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) that honors Filipino inventors, researchers, and innovators.
According to Philippines News Agency, three of the winning innovations focused on solving agricultural issues, highlighting agriculture as a primary concern in the Visayas. Mark Anthony Bigayan, chief of the DOST-TAPI technology information and promotion division, noted the importance of these solutions in a recent interview. The standout invention, Coirmach, addresses challenges in the Philippine coconut industry by efficiently producing high-quality twines from raw coconut fibers, tackling issues of wasted coconut husks and low farmer income.
The outstanding utility model, or the Unlad Award, was won by a seed planter developed by engineer Joseph Golingay and Joshua Miguel Golingay from the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP)-Visayas. This innovation aims to ease the laborious task of manual seed planting, ensuring uniform planting depth and improving farming efficiency. The Project Tanaw, recognized with the Likha Award, focuses on urban planning and disaster risk management. Led by engineer Raven Tabiongan, the project uses advanced technologies to create accurate 3D urban models for better visualization and decision-making.
In the Sibol Award categories, the I-Count system for poultry farms and a study on the health potential of certain fruits received top honors. The I-Count system employs AI technology for automated chick counting, while the research on Physalis peruviana and Passiflora foetida fruits explores their health benefits. These innovations reflect the creativity and dedication of students and researchers in the Visayas, contributing to the nation's progress in various fields.
Bigayan highlighted the significance of these entries as they advance to the 2026 NICE, representing the Visayas alongside other regional winners. This year's theme, 'We RICE the nation with real-world solutions,' emphasizes the practical impact of these Filipino innovations.
