From labs to lives: Science week in Bicol Region highlights community-centric science and “Piñavation”

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2026-08-20. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

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In Bicol, science is moving out of laboratories and directly into the hands of the people who need it most.

This is “science, technology, and innovation in action,” as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) holds the 2026 Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Weeks in the Bicol Region, back-to-back with the "Piñavation" at the University of Camarines Norte (UCN).

Rotating annually among the region's six provinces, this year’s celebration in Camarines Norte is historic, marking the first time the province has hosted the regional flagship event.

“A province does not have to wait for the future to arrive. It can help build that future itself. And that is exactly what we are hoping to see in Camarines Norte,” said DOST-Bicol Regional Director Rommel R. Serrano in his speech.

Meanwhile, DOST-Camarines Norte Provincial Director Hermogenes Miguel G. Pormento emphasized that scientific progress belongs on the ground.

“It underscores a fundamental truth: science is not confined to laboratories or complex research journals. Science lives in our fields. It thrives in our local workshops. It shapes our coastal communities. And it empowers our farmers, fisherfolk, young people, and small-scale entrepreneurs,” Pormento said in his speech.

This sentiment was supported by DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang, who explained that the agency’s core mission is to bring science into daily life.

“Ang thought process po ng mga taga-DOST ay kung papaano dadalhin ang teknolohiya sa komunidad at kung paano ipaparamdam ang agham sa pang-araw araw na buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.

Science to serve communities

In his keynote speech, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said that the event is a timely reminder that “science provides the knowledge, technology delivers the tools, and innovation transforms both into solutions that improve lives.”

“These priorities are not just concepts that we discuss in policy conversations. They are already reflected in the work that we continue to do across the country, including here in the Bicol Region. Our accomplishments demonstrate how science, technology, and innovation are translating these priorities into meaningful outcomes for our communities,” he continued.

S&T and Queen Pineapple

At the heart of the celebration is "Piñavation," which leverages science to add value to Camarines Norte's primary agricultural crop.

While the Philippines ranks second worldwide in pineapple production, and Camarines Norte is the nation’s premier producer of the prized Queen Pineapple (Formosa) variety, the people behind this crop continue to struggle making a living.

Around 2,300 farmers cultivate over 4,070 hectares in the province, but small-scale growers earn less than Php 180,000 annually. Farmers are continuously plagued by devastating Mealybug Wilt Disease (MWD), uneven plant growth, and a staggering 47.82 percent postharvest losses caused by rough handling, bumpy roads, rushed sorting, and the traditional “pigtas,” which is the manual harvesting of pineapples by hand.

To bridge this gap, DOST's Queen Pineapple Research and Development Institute (QPRDI)—funded through DOST-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development under the Niche Centers in the Regions for Research and Development Program—is introducing highly practical, science-based interventions to replace traditional guesswork, or "tantya," with precision:

• AI-Powered Crop Protection: QPRDI developed the QPIPED-CPM mobile app, which uses artificial intelligence with an impressive 90 to 95 percent model training accuracy to help farmers instantly detect pests and crop diseases in the field.
• Battling Crop Diseases: By deploying RT-PCR molecular tests and field-testing a specialized 2 percent Organic Multioxigenic Solution, QPRDI helped farmers achieve a 32 percent reduction in Mealybug Wilt Disease, a 23 percent reduction in active mealybug populations, and boosted their return on investment (ROI) from 43 to 71 percent while shifting harvests toward larger, higher-value fruits.
• Ending Postharvest Losses: Moving away from the damaging manual harvest "pigtas" method, researchers introduced SPRINT-Hort postharvest interventions, deploying small-scale cold chain tools like the CoolBot refrigeration facility and safe organic postharvest dip treatments that delay crown browning and extend shelf life.
• Inclusive Innovation: Groundbreaking socio-economic profiling by QPRDI revealed that women participate in 10 out of 16 core agricultural tasks—handling sorting, postharvest processing, and marketing, and managing 42 percent of household farm finances. This research ensures DOST’s local agricultural interventions are inclusive and designed to support the entire family.

QPRDI Director Arlene C. Alegre said that the Institute is successful in overcoming one of the challenges in Queen Pineapple research—which is to solve the problem of the viral pineapple wilt disease.

“Walang pestisidyo, walang pesticide, walang fungicide, o walang virucide for that matter, na pwede naming gamitin to control. Although, yung ginagamit namin ngayon, yung resulta ng aming product, ng aming research, na nakita namin itong solusyon na 'to, na organic anti-pathogenic solution, we were so happy to have it. Kasi una-una, hindi siya delikadong gamitin. Pwede mo nga siyang malunok eh, na hindi ka maaano,” she explained.

(There is no pesticide, fungicide, or virucide, for that matter, that we could use to control it. However, with what we are currently using—the product resulting from our research, this organic anti-pathogenic solution we discovered—we were so happy to have it. First of all, it isn't hazardous to use. You could even swallow it without suffering any harm.)

To date, QPRDI has conducted direct training needs assessments with 320 pineapple farmers, trained 92 local farm leaders, and established 3 strategic techno-demo farms to bring these scientific advancements directly to Bicolano soil.

Students, researchers, and entrepreneurs flock to the three-day science, technology, and innovation exhibit at the covered court of the University of Camarines Norte from August 19-21, 2026.

Toward a more connected and resilient Bicol, the three-day gathering opens its doors to the public. Farmers, entrepreneurs, students, and community members are encouraged to attend, explore practical innovations, and engage with the tools designed to drive local growth.

 About RSTW

The Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) is an annual event organized by the DOST regional offices across 17 regions. This celebration showcases local technologies, research and development (R&D) projects, and innovative initiatives that connect communities, local industries, and stakeholders with science-based solutions. These efforts promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development in the region. The RSTW is one of the major scientific events leading up to the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) celebration, which will be held in General Santos City in November.  For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph or the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) Facebook page. (By Rosemarie S. Pelaez, DOST-STII and photos from the Broadcast and Digital Media Section, DOST-STII)

Dr. Arlene C. Alegre, director of the Queen Pineapple Research and Development Institute, explains to the media the key research and development projects currently being undertaken by the Institute for the Queen Pineapple.

DOST-Bicol Regional Director Rommel R. Serrano delivers his opening address at the 2026 RSTW in Bicol, inspiring local communities to drive their own progress: "A province does not have to wait for the future to arrive. It can help build that future itself."