Palawan IHUB

19/03/2026

PH’S FIRST PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LAB

The Department of Science and Technology and Palawan State University will formally launch the country's first research and development laboratory for petroleum engineering on March 25, 2026.

The launch of the Drilling Fluids Research and Innovation Laboratory, located in Puerto Princesa City, comes as the Philippines grapples with the global oil crisis brought about by the Middle East conflict.

Palawan is home to 11 commercial oil and gas fields.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr.: The ability to develop local substitutes for critical drilling materials becomes strategically important to secure our future in sustaining our own petroleum products like drilling fluids. (Photos courtesy of DOST-PCIEERD) | via EJ Macababbad

19/03/2026

🎮 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝑼𝒑 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑰𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒔! ✨

𝐖𝐡𝐨’𝐬 𝐏𝐈𝐓𝐁𝐈? 🧡💙

The Palawan International Technology Business Incubator—we take all your ideas, even the ones you thought didn’t matter, and power them up into sustainable, real-world solutions 🌱💡

💥 Let’s solve real pain points, turn challenges into wins, and level up your impact!

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐑𝐋:

⚡ 𝑩𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 – boost your idea’s foundation
🎯 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 – unlock where your idea fits best
💰 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑺𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 – get the resources to level up

➡️ Visit us at 1st Floor, Student Innovation Park Building, Palawan State University Main Campus

Or send an email at [email protected] ✉️

🚩𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝑱𝒐𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 🚀

16/03/2026

Two teenagers from Texas have developed a compact device designed to help remove microplastics from water using sound-based technology. Their invention aims to address the growing global concern over tiny plastic particles that contaminate rivers, oceans, and even drinking water.
Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters that result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or from products like synthetic fabrics and cosmetics. Scientists have detected them in marine ecosystems, soil, and human food and water supplies.
The students’ device reportedly works by producing specific sound frequencies that cause microplastic particles to gather together. Once clustered, the particles become easier to filter out of the water.
Early demonstrations showed the prototype removing a large portion of microplastics in controlled testing conditions. Researchers say technologies like this could eventually complement existing water filtration systems if successfully scaled.
The invention highlights how student innovators are contributing ideas to environmental challenges. Youth-led projects are increasingly appearing in science competitions and research programs focused on pollution and sustainability.

Two teenagers from Texas have developed a compact device designed to help remove microplastics from water using sound-based technology. Their invention aims to address the growing global concern over tiny plastic particles that contaminate rivers, oceans, and even drinking water.

Microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters that result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or from products like synthetic fabrics and cosmetics. Scientists have detected them in marine ecosystems, soil, and human food and water supplies.

The students’ device reportedly works by producing specific sound frequencies that cause microplastic particles to gather together. Once clustered, the particles become easier to filter out of the water.

Early demonstrations showed the prototype removing a large portion of microplastics in controlled testing conditions. Researchers say technologies like this could eventually complement existing water filtration systems if successfully scaled.

The invention highlights how student innovators are contributing ideas to environmental challenges. Youth-led projects are increasingly appearing in science competitions and research programs focused on pollution and sustainability.

11/03/2026

𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠: 𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮
@ San Jose National High School

DOST Palawan iHub SAGE Ms. Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria promotes the services of the ihub to the Science Department Junior High School Teachers of San Jose National High School on March 10, 2026.

Series of workshops to be conducted by the ihub are expected to take place starting June 2026 which include Design Thinking Workshop to help the students identify problems and come up with solutions for their research requirements, Business Model Canvas workshop to give the students idea that the technologies they will develop have value and can be commercialized, Pitching Workshop to prepare them for pitching exhibitions and competitions, Basic Pricing and Costing to help them appreciate further the monetary rewards of commercializing their technology, and Intellectual Property Workshop to help them protect the technology they developed.

Thank you Ms. Sweet Yvonne Parafina, Ms. Imelda S. Coching, Ms. Glaiza P. Gacot, Ms. Leslie O. Pulanco, Ms. Mercy G. Legaspi, Ms. MC Omapas, Ms. Denise Manongsong, Ms. Jenny Tabudlong, and Ms. Rechelle Anne Anog for listening and engaging with us! We look forward for our upcoming collaboration!

10/03/2026

ITO SANA ANG SOLUSYON SA TUMATAAS NA PRESYO NG KRUDO/GASOLINA
Baguio Students Discover Alternative Biofuel Source from Taro (Gabi)

In 2016, six students from Saint Louis University (SLU) in Baguio City have discovered a cleaner, eco-friendly alternative to petroleum that can power vehicles, derived from taro, locally known as gabi.

The student researchers are Joji Takeoka, John Cyril Paco, Gregory Jones Ochoada, John Paul Galong, and Keanu Verzosa. Their invention, called “BIO-GAB” (from “Biofuel” and Gabi), won the Business and Idea Development Award (BIDA) from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce last October.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is abundant in the Philippines, resilient to floods and drought, and grows in various soil types. According to the team, the crop’s high carbohydrate and glucose content makes it an excellent source of bioethanol, a renewable fuel.

The process took two weeks of fermenting taro oil, followed by extraction and refinement until it became efficient enough to fuel engines. The students tested BIO-GAB on a spare engine similar to those used in jeepneys, and results showed it was just as effective as petroleum-based fuels.

“Wild taro is abundant yet inedible, but it’s rich in carbohydrates and glucose needed to produce bioethanol. We tested it in a spare engine to avoid risks, and it worked. The testing center even confirmed it is feasible for engines,” explained researcher Gregory Jones Ochoada in an interview with Rappler.

The breakthrough highlights the potential of using locally available, sustainable crops as an energy source, an innovation that could help reduce dependence on fossil fuels while addressing environmental concerns.

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙖 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥, 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙈𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙡 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙫𝙖𝙨 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥, 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙥, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙢 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝘽𝙧𝙜𝙮. 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙢, 𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙣, 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣

DOST Palawan iHub conducts a Design Thinking Workshop, Business Model Canvas Workshop, Pitching Workshop, and Pitching Exhibition at Culandanum National High School in Brgy. Culandanum, Aborlan, Palawan on March 4-6, 2026. Engr. Bernie E. Balo, PME, the West Coast Area Coordinator of DOST PSTO-Palawan, organized and facilitated the entire activity, teaching 30 Junior High School Students who were formed into 10 teams.

The Pitching Exhibition was held on the 3rd day of the activity which was participated by Palawan iHub SAGE, Ms. Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria, DOST PSTO-Palawan SRS II, Mr. Harold L. Tamayo, and DOST RSTL-MIMAROPA IT Specialist, Mr. Jemuel Alcoseba, who served as the panel of judges along with two (2) teachers from Culandanum National High School Ms. Helen Cervantes and Ms. Maria Faz Antipuesto.

The participating students exhibited passion and dedication in their pitches and expressed their resourcefulness and creativity in the prototypes they have created.

Palawan iHub is very proud of the participants! We hope to see you compete in pitching competitions soon!

10/03/2026

Congratulations! 👏👏👏

04/03/2026

𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙄2𝙀 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

DOST Palawan iHub proudly supports the two (2) teams that have undergone Design Thinking Workshop, Business Model Canvas Workshop, and Pitching Workshop facilitated by its SAGE, Ms Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria for their participation in the RI2E Pitching Competition of the Research, Innovation, Development, and Extension Office of the Western Philippines University (WPU-RIDE) as part of the university’s 116th Founding Anniversary at the WPU Main Campus, Aborlan, Palawan.

The technologies presented include 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠𝘼𝘽𝙞𝙩𝙚, a restaurant booking system that address the problem of long line and long waiting time that plague local diners and tourists alike, with additional feature that provide additional income for drivers through a referral system; and 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙀𝙮𝙚 𝙂𝙋𝙎, a tracking device and system that aims to protect fishermen and tourists against the dangers of the sea by enabling prompt action from rescuers once emergency is detected.

Together with the immense support of their advisers, Ms. Luisa Luceñara and Mr. Fheter John Calanday from the College of Public Administration and Management, BS Entrepreneurship Program, DOST Palawan iHub is very proud of what you have achieved and will continue to achieve in your startup journey!

Congratulations Cassandra Alcovendras, Mary Faith Louise Engreso, Hyacinth Villi, Julianne Ade, Dario Ewican, and Dexter Nuñez! We are so proud of you and all the students who have undergone workshops under DOST Palawan iHub!

Thank you for taking on the challenge and see you in the next pitching events!!! 🫶🫶🫶

04/03/2026

𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝘼𝙉𝙏𝙀𝙆𝙀𝙉 2026 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙭𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙉𝙎 𝙎𝙏𝙀𝙈 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩

DOST Palawan iHub is proud to be part of the PARANTEKEN 2026 Pitching Exhibition of the Palawan National School (PNS) STEM Department on March 3, 2026 held at SM City Puerto Princesa.

Ms. Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria, DOST Palawan iHub SAGE, served as one of the panelists during the pitching exhibition. Twelve (12) brilliant teams participated during their pitch and exhibited their passion in the technologies they developed.

Congratulations to all the presenters and the PNS STEM Department headed by Ms. Geraldine B. Dangan! We hope for more collaborations between DOST Palawan iHub and PNS STEM Department in the future!

26/02/2026

𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙒𝙋𝙐 𝘽𝙎𝙀 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙂𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙐𝙥𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣

DOST Palawan iHub assists in the preparation of four (4) teams who will participate to the Research and Innovation to Extension (RI2E) Pitching Competition of the Research, Innovation, Development, and Extension (RIDE) Office of the Western Philippines University as part of the university’s celebration of its Foundation Day.

Through the leadership of WPU BSE faculty members Ms Luisa Luceñara, Mr Fheter John Calanday, and Mr Benjo Abao, the students who have undergone Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, and Pitching Workshops facilitated by DOST Palawan iHub SAGE, Ms Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria, are guided to prepare the requirements to qualify for the pitching competition.

DOST Palawan iHub wishes the participating teams all the best!

26/02/2026

𝘿𝙊𝙎𝙏 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙃𝙪𝙗 𝙃𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘼𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙮

DOST Palawan iHub hosts a practice pitching activity to select possible teams who will participate to the Research and Innovation to Extension (RI2E) Pitching Competition of the Research, Innovation, Development, and Extension (RIDE) Office of the Western Philippines University as part of the university’s celebration of its Foundation Day.

The WPU BSE students under the advisory of WPU BSE faculty, Ms. Luisa Luceñara and who have undergone Design Thinking, Business Model Canvas, and Pitching Workshops facilitated by DOST Palawan iHub SAGE, Ms Phyllicia Anne M. Baguyo-Salaria pitched the technologies they developed through the workshops to a panel of judges including WPU BSE faculty and Startup Ecosystem Champion, Mr. Fheter John Calanday; DOST AmCen-MIMAROPA coordinator, Engr. Brendon Jay Silverio; and DOST Palawan iHub Prefect, Ms Aprilyn C. Alambra.

The teams received valuable feedback from the judges which led to further refinement of their technologies. After the activity, four (4) teams were selected to participate to the RI2E Pitching Competition which will take place on March 3, 2026 at the WPU Main Campus in Aborlan, Palawan.