Winding up 2006 for the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are the following accomplishments, which are anchored on its four major final outputs (MFOs):

(i) MFO 1 - diffusion of knowledge and technologies;
(ii) MFO 2 - generation of new knowledge and technologies;
(iii) MFO 3 - S&T human resource development; and
(iv) MFO 4 - provision of quality S&T services.

Under MFO 1 are the following accomplishments:

• The Techno Gabay Program now has a total of 211 Farmers’ Information and Technology Services (FITS) centers all over the country to intensify science and technology application among farming communities.
• The DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) has upgraded technologies of 888 small and medium enterprises (SMEs); conducted 880 technology interventions that resulted in the creation of 16, 670 additional jobs.
• The DOST Technology Incubation for Commercialization (TECHNICOM) Program has, for this year, supported the verification of 6 technologies and the application of 22 technologies for intellectual property protection.
  
  Techno Gabay, SETUP, and TEHNICOM are the core programs implemented under MFO 1.

• Biotechnology. Agriculture biotechnology programs/projects include delayed ripening transgenic papaya; PRSV resistant transgenic papaya; cloning of coconut genes, coconut tissue culture and plant regeneration, biofertilizers; biopesticides; and bioinformatics. In health biotechnology, cancer treatment using new preventive and screening strategies; vaccine development; bioactive coumpounds; biopharming and bioinformatics were the programs/projects pursued.
• Information and Communications Technology. Projects include high performance computing; open source and low-cost computing; Internet, network and wireless technologies; foundations of computer science and emerging technologies; and applications of digital content development.
• Environment. Studies were conducted on water desalination; fuel and fertilizer production; protoplast fusion; GIS-based remote sensing; biosensors for environment quality monitoring; and clean production technologies among others. Computational resources and tools for weather forecasting, disaster mitigation and diseases surveillance were also pursued.
• Alternative Energy. A Coconut Methyl Ester (CME) plant was established in Romblon with several partners to demonstrate technological innovations that could benefit coconut farmers. An environment-friendly diesel fuel substitute with brand name ROMTRON was introduced to the local transport market in Romblon.
• Health. Studies in cancer genetics were on diagnostic kits for detecting predisposition to specific cancers and on identifying markers and enzymes for breast, lung, colon rectal, and oral cavity cancers specific to Filipinos. On vaccine development, studies were on flue vaccine and schistosomiasis diagnostic kit and vaccine. Clinical trials on cogon, makahiya, takip-kuhol, and gatas-gatas as herbal medicines were continued.
  
  In 2006, DOST had 47 contract researches aimed at increasing private sector participation in R&D.

Under MFO 3 are the following accomplishments:

• The specialized science secondary school program at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) benefited 2,870 students.
• The Science Education Institute (SEI)- managed scholarship programs benefited 9,776 undergraduate students, of which 2,094 graduated this year.
• DOST supported 365 MS and 212 PhD scholars this year. The increase in MS and PhD slots was the Department’s response to the growing demand for high-level S&T personnel in the semiconductor and electronics industries.

This year, DOST delivered MFO 4 to its clients by upgrading the facilities and improving the strategies in the delivery of various S&T services. Major accomplishments include:

• Chemical and microbiological analyses, physical/materials testing, measurement and calibration testing were provided to 8,283 SMEs.

• In order to provide timely and accurate information to prepare the public for natural hazards, DOST through PAGASA and PHIVOLCS, monitored 19 tropical cyclones and 556 seismic events.

• The department continued to provide its services through 71 technology fairs and exhibits and 215 S&T fora.

• The DOST maintains the PREGINET, which is important for R&D networking, national grid computing, e-learning, and deploying innovative online services.

• A National Innovative System forum with the theme “Industry and Energy Innovations within Reach” was conducted. Policy makers, researchers and management people in academic and private organizations participated in the discussions on global and local trends in technology innovation, their role in shaping future socio-economic environment and related business opportunities.

• Around 210 stakeholders joined the Symposium on Biofuels to review the real issues and plan the framework on the use of biofuels in the Philippines. (Erika Joy Arcillas, S&T Media Service)