Manila: The Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) is searching for more grassroots inventions and innovations through clustered contests and exhibits. During its Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits by Cluster (ClusteRICE) for the Visayas on Wednesday, Mark Anthony Bigayan, chief of the DOST-TAPI technology information and promotion division, said they are expecting the presentation of 300 inventions in various parts of the country this year by holding five legs of RICE.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ClusteRICE event for the Visayas, held at the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) campus in Eastern Visayas from Aug. 27 to 28, showcased 40 inventions and innovations from three regions in the Visayas. This is the second leg of ClusteRICE, with the first leg held at the PSHS main campus in Quezon City from Aug. 19 to 20 for the National Capital Region cluster. The other three clusters are Southern Luzon, Northern Luzon, and Mindanao, with scheduled exhibits between Oct. 1 and 15.

For the Visayas leg, among the technologies presented are small root crop storage, biogas production through thermal acidic innovation, chicken gender identification using a sound frequency detection device, a seed planter, an exhaust pipe electricity generator, and a carbonizer. Other inventions are a biomass-powered fish dryer, purifying antibiotic compounds, a solar-powered automated hydroponic system, a papercrete armchair project, a tractor-mounted lawn mower, and a coco fiber twining machine.

Aspiring Filipino innovators can compete in five categories: outstanding invention, outstanding utility model, outstanding industrial design, outstanding creative research, and outstanding student creative research.