East Visayas’ e-loading machine's win, a boost to region's inventors

By Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu

Tuesday 21st of August 2012

PALO, Leyte, August 21 (PIA) -- The triumph of Eastern Visayas’ entry, the Smart e-loading machine, at the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) held recently at SMX Convention Center, Seashell Lane, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, is a big boost to the region's inventors, Department of Science and Technology Region 8 Director Edgardo Esperancilla said.

Director Esperancilla said the NICE which was conducted in line with the Department of Science and Technology’s celebration of the 2012 National Science and Technology Week, was a contest where all first place winners from the Regional Inventions Contest and Exhibits in the different regions of the country were gathered together to vie for awards in various categories.

The main feature of the celebration was the National Invention Contest wherein talented Filipinos compete for awards and prizes in the six categories – the Outstanding Invention (Tuklas Award), Outstanding Utility Model, Outstanding Industrial Design, Outstanding Creative Research (Likha Award); and Outstanding Student Creative Research (Sibol Award) for High School and College Levels.

NICE, Director Esperancilla said, provides support to Filipino Inventors by bringing their inventions/innovations for public and potential investors’ appreciation and possible commercialization prospects. It serves as venue to stimulate and encourage inventiveness and ingenuity of the Filipino youth and other interested sectors of society.

This year’s NICE was participated in by 63 entries from different regions of the country, in the different categories.

The Smart E-Loading Machine was invented by then Samar State University students Remnan R. Piczon and Jason G. Arroyo, now BS ECE graduates, was the official entry of the Region in the Sibol Award – College Level Category.

The researchers from SSU in Catbalogan City, Samar, bagged three (3) awards for the Sibol Award – College Category from three award giving bodies.

Smart E-Loading Machine won Second Place and a cash prize of P3,000 from Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII).

It bagged First Prize with a cash award in the amount of P50,000.00 from the Philippine Development Alternatives Foundation (PhilDAF).

Finally, it won Second Prize as Outstanding Student Research (SIBOL-College Level) with a cash prize of P25,000.00 from no less than the Undersecretary for S&T Services, USEC. Fortunato T. Dela Peña.

Aside from the cash awards, the winners also received plaque of recognition.

The winning of the entry will surely encourage students and inventors in Eastern Visayas to enter their research in the coming Regional Inventions Contest and Exhibits, Director Esperancilla said.

The Smart Loading Machine which is a do-it-yourself cellphone loading machine that eliminates errors and load wastage because all information are keyed in by the customer himself or herself, was first conceptualized in 2009 and become a thesis project of Piczon and Arroyo. Together with its project adviser Engr. Mirador Labrador, the two students received SSU funding support to enhanced the project.

The enhancement included expansion of its capabilities such as accommodating other networks, a database system, a printer for transactions/receipt, a bill acceptor and other features.

The university is now in the process of coming-up with a business plan to fully exploit the project. An Intellectual Property protection has been submitted to IPO-Phil (Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines) in 2011. Certificate from IPO-Phil is expected to be released soon. (PIA 8)