To support the Philippines’ renewable energy transformation initiatives, a comprehensive training series on biogas technology was launched by a German biogas technology provider -- Lipp GmbH, and the German Biogas Association (GBA), along with German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI / AHK) [Deutsch-Philippinische Industrie-und Handelskammer]. Their training series covers the functionality, use and maintenance of biogas system in the Philippines.

The metals and engineering industry has contributed much to the country's recovery efforts, an official of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Wednesday. "We can never disregard the contribution of the industry. We owe it to the metals industry to celebrate milestones and special accomplishments for without you, upstream industries will weaken," said DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara during the 1st National Metals and Engineering Conference held in Bicutan, Taguig City. The metals industry has played a huge role in helping the country rise from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, she pointed out. Guevara cited as an example the mass production and distribution of face shields for front-liners at the onset of the pandemic. The Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC) did this through the plastic injection molding technology. "The face shields, which were too costly because there was not enough supply at that time, were distributed all over the country through this MIRDC initiative," she said. Another contribution was the use of the Hybrid Electric Road Train (HERT) to ferry front-liners to and from work in Cauayan, Isabela, for free. HERT is an alternative mass transportation designed and developed by the MIRDC. It was already turned over to the city of Cauayan. Currently, present, Cauayan and Ilagan cities have plans to fabricate new HERT units to be used as mass transportation alternatives. (Read: Ilagan City to fabricate hybrid road train) Last year, the DOST launched two facilities at the MIRDC: the Advanced Manufacturing Center (AMCen) and the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL). Both facilities feature industry 4.0 technologies. "Through the AMCen and the AMERIAL, we are already able to serve MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and the academe. We started to encourage the establishment of partnerships that advocate R&D (research and development)," Guevara said. The agency, according to her, has been providing an enabling environment to let researchers access modern technologies and unleash their innovative ideas. Guevara called on researchers to o continuously engage in R&D, scientific paper writing, and research presentations. "We can be like highly developed countries through R&D," she said as she emphasized that R&D is a powerful driver behind a successful metals industry. Meanwhile, Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) executive director Enrico Paringit said the industry must also consider harnessing emerging technologies to make the industry more competitive. Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are among the emerging technologies, aside from additive manufacturing, sensors, quantum computing, virtual reality, etc. The DOST targets to broaden the curriculum on AI and conduct training programs to upskill the workforce on AI, he said.   Article courtesy of the Philippine News Agency

Photo: Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (right) with officials of China-based Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd., who arrived in the city earlier this month. On Monday (Feb. 20, 2023), Benitez said they are studying the firm's formal proposal to establish an electric-vehicle manufacturing plant in the city. (Video grab from Albee Benitez Facebook page) A Chinese firm has submitted a formal proposal to the city government to establish an electric (e)-vehicle manufacturing plant in a still undisclosed area here. "This is an offshoot of our trip to China," said Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez in a press briefing on Monday. Benitez, who first met with the investors when he joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Beijing in January, said they have received a draft copy of a memorandum of understanding from Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd., which is eyeing to invest USD200 million for the proposed project. "We are reviewing their proposal. They are very serious. There's a document that they submitted (to us), a formal proposal. In fact, I might be meeting with them tonight to expand on this proposal," he added. Benitez said the company needs assistance for the establishment of e-vehicle charging stations. "They are planning to enter first our public transportation system. In China, public transportation is mostly, if not a hundred percent, electric vehicles now, in response to the quest for a sustainable and renewable industry," he added. The mayor said that Jiangsu Fengchuen New Energy Power Technology Co. Ltd. will bring in test units to the city. "We have to see first-hand if what they said in the presentation is what will really happen. If that happens, we can probably promote the conversion into e-vehicle," he added. For the vehicle's look or design, the firm has proposed to preserve the cultural identity of Filipino public transport as such the e-vehicle will resemble the Philippines' iconic "Sarao" jeepney. "These are all proposals. The City Council is studying the formal proposal. Aside from this, I would like to see a proof of concept. Once proven beneficial to our stakeholders, especially to our operators, then we can probably consider helping out into making the program a reality," Benitez said. The firm's officials arrived in the city earlier this month to hold their first meeting with Benitez.   Article courtesy of the Philippine News Agency