The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) inaugurated the first natural products laboratory in the region, the Institute for Natural Products Discovery and Development (i-NatProd).
The new laboratory, funded with P5 million from the Institution Development Program (IDP) of DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), will focus on researching natural product compounds to develop agro-industrial innovations.
“As the first natural product laboratory in the Davao Region, we at DOST are excited to see the innovations that will emerge from this project. As we face the challenges of the 21st century, the importance of this laboratory will grow, playing a crucial role in shaping a healthier and more sustainable future,” said DOST Secretary, Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr.
Dr. Wilanfranco C. Tayone, the Project Leader and a Professor at DorSU, said that the institution aims to develop agrochemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides from natural product compounds to improve agro-industrial production in the province.
“The i-NatProd facility will be highly beneficial for our province, as Davao Oriental has productive farmlands that support the livelihoods and consumption needs of the local community. We envision this facility as a stepping stone for exploring various potential natural products for use in agrochemicals and hopefully in pharmaceuticals too,” shared by Dr. Tayone.
As of 2024, DOST-PCIEERD funded 58 IDP projects amounting to P278 Million. In Davao Region, the Council has already established three laboratories.
“The establishment of IDP laboratories like i-NatProd in Mati City is vital for advancing scientific research, sustainability, and economic growth in the province. The funding support we have invested in this project is just the beginning of the university’s journey towards discovering game-changing innovations in agro-industrial applications,” said DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit.
In the succeeding years, DorSU will conduct two DOST-funded projects on natural products, the Optimization of almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) resin essential oil extraction through solvent technique: Pathway towards valorization for Lumad tappers, and the Development of Dye as an Art medium Generated from naTural Assets (D-DAGTA): A regenerative approach to Filipinnovation of Arts.
The university collaborates with the Lumad Almaciga Tappers Association of Governor Generoso (LATAGG) and the University of San Agustin’s Center for Natural Drug Discovery and Development (CND3) to implement the projects.
