The Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI), in partnership with the DOST Negros Island Region (DOST-NIR), successfully concluded the “Resilient Horizons: Advanced Technologies for Smarter and Sustainable Communities” event, held from 27 to 29 October 2025 at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel in Bacolod City.

Participants attend the “Resilient Horizons” forum held in Bacolod City.

Co-located with the HANDA Pilipinas 2025 – Visayas Leg, the event highlighted the synergy between innovation, resilience, and business in advancing the commercialization of DOST-ASTI’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) technologies for the benefit of local industries and communities.

Anchored on the theme “Padayon Visayas: Science, Technology and Innovation for Resilient, United, and Sustainable Visayas,” the Resilient Horizons event brought together scientists, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and the media to discuss and promote smart, science-driven solutions that strengthen disaster resilience and sustainable development in the Visayas region.

Engr. Philip Martinez, Project Leader of DOST-ASTI’s REIINN Project, discusses the initiative during the B2B networking session.

Fostering Innovation Through Commercialization

A highlight of the event was the signing of the Technology Licensing Agreement (TLA) between DOST-ASTI and Rockwell Enterprise, Inc., marking another milestone in the Institute’s ongoing efforts to translate government-funded R&D into tangible social and economic impact.

During the event, Ms. Alzenda Maria R. Jarque, Managing Officer and Authorized representative of Rockwell Enterprise, Inc. shared the company’s success story in commercializing Community Tsunami Alerting Station (CTAS) which is one of the DRRM technologies of Meteorological Data Acquisition Stations for Information Dissemination (MASID), which significantly expanded their client and market portfolio and generated substantial growth for their small business. This collaboration exemplifies how science-based innovation can drive inclusive and sustainable economic development.

TLA signing between DOST-ASTI and Rockwell Enterprise, Inc. with DOST-ASTI Director Dr. Franz A. de Leon, Ms. Maria Irene S. Amatorio, and Ms. Alzenda Maria R. Jarque.

In his message, Atty. Gilbert Arbon, Regional Director of DOST-NIR, underscored the essence of such collaborations.

“This event serves as a convergence of those who have the technology, those who want to buy, and those who will facilitate the deal. With this convergence, there is a consideration of three things: first, delivering a social and economic objective; second, solving community problems; and third, profiting from the business derived from such activity. This is when technology commercialization truly begins,” he emphasized.

The partnership between DOST-ASTI and DOST-NIR continues to advance the commercialization of DRRM and smart community technologies in the Visayas, building a stronger innovation ecosystem that connects research, enterprise, and governance.

Coffee Meets Science: A Conversation with the Press

As part of the three-day event, DOST-ASTI held “Coffee Meets Science,” a networking activity where scientists and researchers engaged directly with members of the press. The session aimed to enhance communication between the scientific community and the media, ensuring that technological innovations and their societal impacts reach a broader public audience.

During the discussion, DOST-ASTI Director Franz A. de Leon, Ph.D., highlighted the holistic benefits of technology commercialization.

“Commercialization works both ways,” Director de Leon explained. “It benefits the licensee through the business derived from mass production and selling the technology, and it benefits the researchers through royalties. A portion of that income also goes back to the government, which started the investment in R&D in the first place. When that happens, we have a full cycle—and that’s the real definition of innovation. What we develop impacts society and creates a cycle that is mutually beneficial to the ecosystem.”

Convergence of Innovation and Resilience

The co-location of Resilient Horizons with HANDA Pilipinas 2025 – Visayas Leg was highly relevant, as both initiatives share the goal of building resilient communities through science, technology, and innovation. HANDA Pilipinas, spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology, serves as a platform to promote disaster risk reduction awareness, climate adaptation, and technology-based preparedness solutions across regions.

By bringing Resilient Horizons into this space, DOST-ASTI and DOST-NIR effectively connected the dots between research, commercialization, and community impact—transforming scientific breakthroughs into business opportunities that contribute to national resilience and economic growth.