The Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) successfully staged the Visayas Cluster Leg of the 2025 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits by Cluster (ClusteRICE), held from August 27-28, 2025, at the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus in Palo, Leyte.
With the entries received across the Visayas, the two-day event featured pitching sessions and an awarding ceremony that recognized the ingenuity of local inventors and researchers.
The official qualifiers from the Visayas Cluster are as follows:
| Entry Title | Category | Region |
| Coirmach: A Coco Fiber Twining Machine | Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention -Government Funded | Region VI |
| Seed Planter | Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model | Region VI |
| Project TANAW: 3D-Printed Urban Model with Geohazards Simulations Using Virtual Environment and AR Projection Mapping | Likha Award for Outstanding Creative Research | Region VIII |
| I-Count: Artificial Intelligence Optical Chick Counting Device For Unloading Operation | Sibol Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research (College Category) | Region VI |
| Establishing The Nutraceutical Potential Of Quercetin In Physalis Peruviana And Passiflora Foetida Fruits Via In Vitro Bioassays, Phytochemical, Physicochemical, And Nutritional Profiling Analyses | Sibol Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research (High School Category) | Region VI |
The Visayas Cluster Winners now join other qualifiers heading to the 2026 National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE), where regional champions will compete for national titles. NICE winners may access DOST-TAPI’s support programs and services, such as funding for product development, commercialization assistance, and IP support, and may also be chosen to represent the country in international fairs and competitions.
Represented by Mr. Mark Anthony C. Bigayan, Chief of Technology Information and Promotion Division (TIPD), DOST-TAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena emphasized the significance of winning in the ClusteRICE, as they will have the chance to compete nationally. To learn more about this, read this article: From RICE to NICE: Empowering Filipino Inventors with Global Opportunities.
“To participants, your work is invaluable. Winning first prize in ClusteRICE 2025 qualifies you for the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) in 2026, where local champions gain national recognition and opportunities.”
The Institute also extended its gratitude to DOST-Region VIII and the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus for co-organizing and hosting the Visayas leg of ClusteRICE 2025.
Upcoming ClusteRICE 2025 Schedules
DOST-TAPI also announced the schedules of the upcoming cluster legs:
- South Luzon Cluster: October 01–02, 2025
- Mindanao Cluster: October 07–08, 2025
- North Luzon Cluster: October 14–15, 2025
These upcoming legs will continue to scout and recognize homegrown inventions and research projects that will advance to NICE 2026.
ClusteRICE is one of the key components of the Institutional Support for Technology Exposition (ISTE) Program, one of the banner initiatives of the DOST-TAPI under the Linkages, Events, and Advocacies Dissemination Unit of TIPD. Designed as an effective marketing and promotion strategy, the program highlights DOST-generated technologies and Filipino inventions that showcase the latest advances in science and technology across the country. Anchored on Republic Act No. 7459, or the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines, ClusteRICE underscores the government’s strong commitment to advancing and supporting Filipino innovators.
The Department of Science and Technology -Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) is one of DOST’s service agencies whose primary responsibility is to promote the commercialization of technologies and market the services of other operating units of the Department. It was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 128 on 30 January 1987.
If you want to learn more about the programs and services of DOST-TAPI, you may email us at info@tapi.dost.gov.ph, call us at (02) 8582 1450, or visit our DOST-TAPI Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/DOST.TAPI) for more details.
