8th ERDT Congress

8^th ERDT Congress

With the theme, “The Rise of Smart Cities and Communities”, ERDT hosted its 8^th Congress last 23 August 2019 at the Reception Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center. The 8^th ERDT Congress was attended by scholars and faculty members from across the eight ERDT-consortium member universities. As well as delegates from other government agencies and select private institutions.

In his keynote speech, Usec. Eliso M. Rio, Jr. of the Department of Information and Communications Technology talked about the direction and efforts of DICT towards enhancing and strengthening the country’s infostructure in convergence to Industry 4.0. He emphasized how competition in the telecommunications sector affect the development of ‘intelligent’ cities and communities--- highlighting the role of the government in regulating players in order to deliver quality products and services that will be the backbone of efficient and people-centered processes.

First among the plenary speakers is Dr. Hussein S. Lidasan, Dean of the University of the Philippines’ School of Urban and Regional Planning. Dean Lidasan begun by instituting the idea that ICT shall be incorporated in urban planning in order to come up with smart city concepts. According to him, there are five challenges facing those advocating for smart city solutions. These are: infrastructure, security and hackers, privacy concerns, educating and engaging communities, and being socially inclusive. In order to address these challenges, Dr. Lidasan emphasized the importance of planning and road mapping for smart city development considering that local government units have different capacities, needs, and goals.

Atty. Joanna Eileen Capones, Vice President for Investment Promotions and Marketing of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority delivered an overview presentation on the New Clark City which is dubbed to be the “city of the future”. Atty. Capones explained that the New Clark City is just one of the four main districts comprising the 32,000-hectare property being developed. Among the key features of the New Clark City are disaster-resiliency and connectivity, boasting that it is a city crafted to be built for people and to drive economic growth.

The afternoon plenary session begun with the presentation of Architect Felino “Jun” Palafox, Managing Partner and Principal Architect of Palafox Associates. Ar. Palafox focused on how the application of smart mobility concepts and climate resiliency features in urban landscape can effectively address the effects and rising demands of urban development and climate change. Backed with studies, research, and experience, Ar. Palafox further argues that it is 90% less expensive to address hazards before they become disasters. As such, good public-private partnerships from planning to execution is necessary in order create safe, smart, sustainable, more livable, and resilient cities and communities.

To provide a closer look at how excellence in the delivery of social services can be achieved through information and communications technology, Mayor Bernard Faustino M. Dy of Cauayan, Isabela talked about their Smarter City Projects designed which are intended to support and promote smarter MSMEs, health care, agriculture, climate change adaptation, transportation, solid waste management, jobs, and government.

As the last plenary speaker, Engr. Edgar V. Sabidong, Chair of the Philippine Green Building Council, talked about Sustainable Developments Leading to Smart Cities and Communities. In his presentation, Engr. Sabidong focused on how green building concepts can be used to promote sustainability and to properly mitigate the effects of climate change. These include, land use ecology, native and adaptive plants, use of non-portable water, drip irrigation, and other means to ensure energy and material resource efficiency.

Aside from the morning and afternoon plenary sessions, the Poster Competition also ensued. Seventy-four entries were accepted and evaluated under the five ERDT R&D Tracks. The recipients of the Best Poster Awards are:

Energy

Combined Mixture Designed Experiments and Bioreactors Studies on the Ethanol Fermentation Behavior of Two Evolutionary Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae Strains in Glucose-Xylose Mixtures

Presenting Author: John Nikko Salvilla
Co-Authors: Fidel Rey P. Nayve, Jr., Catalino G. Alfara
Institution: University of the Philippines, Los Baňos

Environment and Infrastructure

Seismic Risk of Metro Manila DPWH Bridges
Presenting Author: Eden S. Ditchella
Co-Author: Andres Winston C. Oreta
Institution: De La Salle University

Information and Communications Technology

Low-Cost Lora-Based Transmission System for Weather Balloon
Presenting Author: May Anne C. Valencia
Institution: Mapua University

Manufacturing and Machinery

Microwave Drying of Stingless Bee Pollens
Presenting Author: Franz Z. Miranda
Co-Author: Carolyn Grace G. Somera
Institution: Central Luzon State University

Semiconductor Materials and Electronics

Optimization of Decellularization Parameters in Developing Renal Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds from Porcine Kidney
Presenting Author: Tosha Mae Manalastas
Co-Authors: Nathaniel P. Dugos, Gliceria B. Ramos
Institution: De La Salle University