DoST-NCR caps 2025 RSTW with awards for innovation, community impact

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) announced Monday that it concluded this year’s Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) in the National Capital Region with an awards program honoring local ingenuity, excellence, and community impact.

During the weeklong celebration, the DoST-National Capital Region presented recognitions for flagship programs and initiatives, including the SETUP 4.0 Awards, Best CEST Awards, Best Grassroot Innovation, and Circular Economy Award.

For the 2025 SETUP 4.0 Awards, COGNITIF Inc. was named I-READY Award Regional Winner, while Premier Physic Metrologie Co. received the Regional ICON Award. The Regional CIRCLE Awardees were Patchmed Cosmetic Trading, Fruit Magic Company Inc., and Danilyn’s Enterprises Inc. The SETUP Praise Award cited Pao Ying Food Inc. as 2nd Runner Up, Miracle Soybean Food International Corporation as 1st Runner Up, and The Merry Cooks Inc. as Regional Winner.

For the CEST Community Award, Barangay Putatan in Muntinlupa received the Special Award for Sustainable Livelihoods. Barangay Payatas in Quezon City earned the Special Award for Sustainable Science and Technology Culture and Education. Barangay Fortune in Marikina City received the Special Award for Sustainable Health and Nutrition. Barangay Potrero in Malabon City won the Special Award for Sustainable Circular Economy Initiative and secured the Best CEST Regional Award and 1st Runner Up in the National Awarding.

In the 2025 Best GI and CE Solutions competition, the Grassroot Innovation Category awarded third place to Samahang Pantawid Pamilya Mushroom ng Maybunga for its Improvised Mushroom Pasteurization Drum, second place to Samahan ng Mandaragat ng Isla Puting Bato for Like a Flipper, and first place to MRF Balangkas Community Garden for Banana Peel Burger Patties. For the Circular Economy Category, Ricardo P. Cruz Sr. Elementary School placed third for its Risk Reduction Alarm Facility, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium and Naglalala Weavers ranked second for Weaved Wire Cables, and Caybiga High School secured first place for its P.A.P.E.R Wi-Fi innovation.

The 2025 Project SARAI CeNTRO Partner Award was given to Lyceum of Alabang.

In her closing remarks during the awarding ceremony at the Technological Institute of the Philippines on 26 November, DoST-NCR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Support Services Bianca Claudette R. Canlas emphasized the collective nature of innovation. “It thrives when government provides support, when industries open opportunities, when educators cultivate curiosity, and when researchers and innovators dare to imagine something better and create solutions for real-world problems,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to TIP for hosting the celebration as well as to partners, collaborators, exhibitors, speakers, judges, and participants. “Your presence and your passion affirm that we can move Metro Manila forward for it to continue to be a dynamic hub for science, technology, and innovation,” she added.

Key programs and services were also presented, including PROPEL and TECHGROW, which aim to support innovators, start-ups, and enterprises in transforming research outputs into viable products and services. Participants also gained insights from the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines on intellectual property management, protection, and licensing.

The 2025 RSTW celebration is part of the broader thrust of the Department of Science and Technology to provide science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability, under the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All.