Cathrene P. Amante
UPLB and UP Manila signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to pursue technology transfer cooperation to develop and promote investments in the agricultural and herbal medicine industries of the Philippines on August 20, 2024.
The ceremonial signing was led by Undersecretary and BOI Management Head Ceferino S. Rodolfo, Director Raquel Echague of the BOI-Resource-Based Industries Service, and BOI-Industry Development Services Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa representing DTI-BOI.
For UP, Vice Chancellor for Administration Rolando T. Bello represented Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. while UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Research Leslie Michelle M. Dalmacio represented Chancellor Michael L. Tee.
The signing was witnessed by Director Emil John Cabrera and Director Lourdes Marie Tejero of UPLB and UP Manila Technology Transfer and Business Development Offices, respectively.
This MOU concretizes the shared mission of developing sustainable and globally competitive industries through science and technology.
Rodolfo emphasized that this MOU is a strategic move to promote locally developed biofertilizers from UPLB and herbal medicine technologies from UP Manila.
For her part, Echague explained that the MOU aims to strengthen the agribusiness supply chain by providing biofertilizers and leveraging the country’s natural resources for herbal medicine production.
UPLB and UP Manila expressed strong support for this initiative, which is expected to empower local industries, enhance food security, and open new investment and export opportunities.
The focus on technology transfer is also seen as a catalyst to inspire researchers to develop more innovations that will improve the lives of Filipinos.
Halili-Dichosa concluded the signing ceremony on an optimistic note. She said that she looked forward to the upcoming domestic roadshows that will promote commercialization-ready technologies and boost domestic investments.
She affirmed that DTI is prepared to offer incentives and investment facilitation assistance to technology adopters.
The signing was held at the BOI Audiovisual Room, Industry and Investments Building, Makati City.
