The Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., along with the members of DOST Executive Committee graced Saint Louis University with their presence on 11 January 2024 at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall to visit the approved DOST-assisted and DOST-Grants-in-Aid-funded project (DOST GIA), “Improving the livelihood of MSMEs through Cable Supported Water and Transport Infrastructure.”
SLU is the implementing agency of the project, otherwise known as “Program Boondock 2”, that focuses on establishing DOST’s Cableways for Agricultural Resource Transport System (CARTS) which began in June 2021. Part of the said visit included a presentation of project accomplishments and updates of the project implementation process.
Organized by the University Research and Innovation Center (UnRIC) of SLU, the event was conducted in line with DOST’s 2024 North Luzon Call Conference which is a platform for the science agency to get in touch with local businesses, universities, communities, and other institutions to submit research and development (R&D) proposals.
Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, SLU President, stated that the presence of everyone is a testament to the commitment to sustainable development and the crucial role that Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) play in shaping vibrant economies. “Let it be known,” Fr. Sales said, “that at the heart of our shared vision is the belief that a robust and innovative infrastructure to science and research, particularly in the form of cable-supported water and transport system holds the key to unlocking the potentials of MSMEs – the lifeblood of local economies that deserve a platform that propels them towards sustainable growth.”
Engr. Janice Kaye L. Aquino of the School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), Project Leader of Project Boondock 2, took the lead on the presentation of key information and updates that was presented before SLU executives and DOST Execom.
DOST CARTS Project: Project Accomplishments and UPdates
Engr. Aquino reported that Project Boondock 2 (DOST CARTS) was implemented through the DOST Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) project for R&D that introduced interventions to address infrastructure needs of the upland communities, particularly those related to agricultural transport and irrigation in Tublay, Benguet, and Bauko, Mt. Province. The project supports the growth in the farming sector through infrastructure development. It is a multi-disciplinary collaborative work of SEA, including the Dean, Engr. Jeffrey Des B. Binwag, Associate Dean Engr. Caroline B. Moncada, and SEA faculty from its different departments.
The DOST CARTS project features a Front Person View (FPV) System that utilizes an electric motor that will be controlled via a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)-equipped smart control system. The progress report tackled updates on three of the project’s objectives:
- Objective 1 : To assess existing cable-supported infrastructure, mapping of the identified pilot site. Among the tasks fulfilled under this objective are:
- Securing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with partner Local Government Units (LGUs) farmer cooperatives at the pilot site (100% Accomplished)
- MOA between DOST-CAR, SLU, LGU Bauko, and Towadan-Bito Farmers Association
- MOA between DOST-CAR, SLU, LGU Basil, and PaFa.
- MOA between DOST-CAR, SLU, LGU Tublay, and Ambongdolan Multi-Purpose Cooperative
- Conduct survey of existing irrigation systems and PhilMech-constructed Agricultural Tramline System (100% Accomplished)
- Securing Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with partner Local Government Units (LGUs) farmer cooperatives at the pilot site (100% Accomplished)
- Objective 2: To design and fabricate an enhanced cable-supported water and transport infrastructure. The tasks fulfilled under this objective include:
- Analysis and design of structural model of cable-supported systems (100% Accomplished)
- Optimized design of the structural and mechanical components of the cable-supported water delivery system and tramline system (100% Accomplished)
- Fabrication of the prototypes, testing and improvement (90% Accomplished)
- Objective 3: To install and conduct actual performance testing of the deployed cable-supported infrastructure. Tasks undertaken include:
- Construction and installation of the cable-supported infrastructure at pilot sites (35% Accomplished)
- Operational testing of installed system (5% Accomplished)
- Ceremonial Turnover of the Infrastructure with Training Workshop (pending project completion)
Based on the current status of the project and due to certain circumstances, since its initial date of completion was set in February 2023, an extension will be filed to complete the cart-system project.
SEA Student Researchers give a demo on DOST-CARTS Project
After the progress report, BS Electrical Engineering fourth year students from SEA gave a demonstration on how the cart system works in terms of the DOST-CARTS, stopping mechanism, monitoring system, and database management system, which is a result of their study, “Control, Monitoring and Database Management System for DOST- Cableways for Agricultural Resource Transport System (DOST-CARTS)”. Among the student researchers are Jeymar Ancheta, Aminah Angelica Cariño, Alea Zoe Fadlen, Laurence Layco, Angelica Noel Napalan, and Alyssa Supsup.
Dr. Leah J. Buendia, the Undersecretary for Research and Development, thanked Saint Louis University as a partner of the project. “It is not common to find partners like Saint Louis University. We are expanding our reach. We are happy that the initial project that we have with SLU is legitimate. We only need now to make sure that we polish the technology and we deliver on the outputs that were set.”
Usec. Buendia further said that she is “happy to note that there are budding scientists like the students here.” She then expressed thanks to Rev. Fr. Sales. “If not for his vision, if not for his open-mindedness in pursuing research for the people, this will not happen. We are all into this.” Finally, she thanked Engr. Aquino for seeing the project through as one who has “a heart for the people.” Usec. Buendia affirmed, “DOST is here to support researchers and budding researchers to pursue and reach out to our beneficiaries, our partners.”
Among DOST Executive Committee members present during the visit and presentation were:
- Dr. Renato U. Solidum – DOST Secretary
- Dr. Leah J. Buendia – Undersecretary for Research and Development
- Mr. Rodolfo J. Calzado, Jr. – Asst. Secretary for Development Cooperation
- Mr. Cezar R. Pedraza – Director, DOST Planning and Evaluation Service (PES)
- Engr. Ninaliza H. Escorial – Deputy Executive Director, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology REsearch and Development (PCIEERD)
- Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora – Executive Director, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
- Dr. Jaime C. Montoya – Executive Director, Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD)
- Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda – Executive Director, National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP)
- Dr. Nancy A. Bantog – Regional Director, DOST-CAR
- Ms. Carolyn Alcasid – PCAARRD Speaker
- Dr. Doralyn Domingo – PCHRD Speaker
- Auditor Marieta T. Magdaraog – DOST-CO
- Ms. Ferida A. Gabon – DOST-COA
- Ms. Kristine M. Tablizo – DOST-Accounting
- Engr. Vernadeth M. Cahibaybayan – DOST-Property
It is to be noted that the DOST-CARTS project is aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) 1 (No Poverty), 2 (Zero Hunger), 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). It also affirms the CICM Advocacy on Justice, Integrity of Creation, and Indigenous Peoples Apostolate.
