00:00As president, I do not accept that there should be an uncertain future for our inventors.
00:07They have world-changing ideas and we cannot watch them wither on the vine due to lack of institutional support.
00:16And this is why I have given instructions to the Department of Science and Technology
00:22and all other relevant government agencies to strengthen financial and technical support for our inventors.
00:30Through our various programs, we have been ensuring the availability of research and development grants
00:38and protecting the intellectual property rights of our inventors.
00:43These should help you transform your innovative ideas into startups
00:48and accelerate the adoption and commercialization of those inventions.
00:53Hangad natin na mabigyan ng sapat na support ang bawat makabuluhang ideya
00:58upang ito ay mapakinabangan ng lipunan.
01:02The NICE, organized by the DOSD Technology Application and Promotion Institute,
01:07is more than just a competition.
01:10It serves as a platform for discovering and supporting Filipino talent.
01:15In this year's national competition, we selected 28 finalists out of 764 entries nationwide,
01:25which just goes to show that there is a large pool of talent out there that we can tap.
01:32I have the honor today to award the winners of the 2026 NICE Awards.
01:38Under the TUCLAS Award for Outstanding Inventions,
01:41we recognize inventions such as a compact neutron radiation measuring device
01:46and an affordable herbal cream for treating viral skin conditions whose raw material is kasuy.
01:55I did not realize, I was quite surprised to find out that kasuy has this medicinal quality.
02:01Apparently, it's known.
02:03Ito is, ang sabi sa atin, matagal nang ginagamit ng ating mga katutubo ito.
02:08But, you know, it is a very, very, it's a remarkable achievement to find,
02:15to go through the testing and to find the practical use for it that can be used in our everyday
02:23lives.
02:24But, for the Banghai Award for Outstanding Industrial Design,
02:28there was also, there is an award for a multi-grain precision seeder with fertilizer applicator.
02:35And the surprising facet, the aspect of the fertilizer, the seeder and fertilizer applicator,
02:44is generally speaking, when you have these kinds of machines,
02:48they have to be connected to a very large, powerful tractor.
02:53Ito pwede sa kuliglig, which is highly applicable to the Filipino experience.
02:59So, we don't need to have those large tractors
03:06so that our farmers can avail and increase their efficiency in their very hard work as farmers.
03:15And, under the Lika Award for Outstanding Creative Research,
03:20we present an on-site African swine fever detection system,
03:26an extremely important invention,
03:29simply because it is an issue that we have been facing that has affected so much of our food supply.
03:35And, the acceleration provided by having this detection system will go a very long way
03:46into solving, mitigating the problem of swine flu.
03:52And, for the Siebel Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research,
03:57we recognize an AI-powered optical chick accounting device.
04:02And, this is something, again, that is going to be so practical and so useful
04:11for our livestock supply.
04:15And, this is something that we worry about.
04:19And, it is also good to see that you are beginning to adopt,
04:23or trust the students to be the one to do it, to adopt AI.
04:27Already, AI, as we all know, has seeped into, has crept into most of the facets of our lives.
04:37And, to see that, even in this application, that AI has its uses.
04:44So, again, well done.
04:45Because, these are precisely the kinds of innovations that we seek.
04:50Ones that offer solutions to real-world challenges, and improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos.
04:58Nakakatuhang sabihin, na sa mga imbensyon at pananaliksik sa inyong pinaghirapan,
05:04ay makikita natin ang sipag, ang talento, at talino ng mga Pinoy.
05:09And, to our awardees, this recognition reflects the depth of your work,
05:14and your persistence in bringing your ideas to life.
05:19As we all know, as I'm sure you have experienced,
05:23persistence is a large part of the whole process.
05:29Anong sabi ni Thomas Edison?
05:31Genius is, no, having a good invention, like when he invented the light bulb,
05:38he says it's 1% genius and 99% perspiration.
05:42So, that's what you needed, and that's what you have demonstrated.
05:47But, beyond the monetary prices and the accolades that you will receive,
05:52you gain greater visibility and opportunities to bring your innovations to the market and to a wide market.
05:59And, I say that because this is only the beginning.
06:02Beyond this stage, we remain committed to helping you navigate the path forward,
06:08linking you to financial and technical support through the DOST-TAPI program and services,
06:17including assistance for intellectual property protection.
06:21We all know that this is a very important part of the whole process of creativity,
06:28that the intellectual property must be protected to incentivize those of you with the talent
06:35and the persistence to continue in your work.
06:40And, what we also are going to help support the technology development,
06:46including financing, commercialization, and even international exposure.
06:52This has become, international exposure has become relatively easy now,
06:57with the advent of the internet.
06:59And, digitalization is going to open so many different markets,
07:04so many different opportunities,
07:05and we, in government, would like to be part of that opportunity
07:10that you will gain from using the internet to bring your products,
07:17to bring your inventions to a larger audience, a larger market.
07:21Through these efforts, we aim to ensure that your innovations move forward
07:26to create a real and lasting impact.
07:29With more developed industries, we can create more opportunities
07:33and access more tools that will make our lives easier.
07:37So, please rest assured that your government will always stand with you,
07:43ready to support you on your journey.
07:45Once again, congratulations to all the winners.
07:48May your work inspire others to think outside the box
07:52and change the lives of our people, one invention at a time.
07:57To every Filipino, let us all continue dreaming and follow their example.
08:02Continue dreaming and never stop creating.
08:06Naniniwala ako na ang inyong mga inbensyon ay may kakayahang magbago ng buhay
08:13at sa ganon ng bansa.
08:15Because the future is not merely a time that is yet to come.
08:19It is something that we have to build through determination,
08:23through thinking ahead, through discipline, to see things through,
08:27and the will to begin again even when we fail.
08:31Maraming salamat po.
08:33Mabuhay ang Pilipinong inventor.
08:35Mabuhay ang bagong Pilipinas.
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