The country’s Department of Science and Technology (DOST) denied allegations that they snub Filipino scientist and inventor Aisa Mijeno and her team, who were considered as the Sustainable Lighting (SALt) lamp inventor. A DOST official confirmed that they already reached out to the SALt lamp inventor even before they caught the limelight during APEC Summit in Manila.
According to DOST Asst. Secretary Raymund Liboro, Aisa Mijeno, who shared the stage with US President Barack Obama and Alibaba chief Jack Ma at the APEC CEO Summit, was actually a product of a program supported by the agency.
“Partikular kasi kay Aisa, noong lumabas siya, may ugnayan na ang aming Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) sa kanya, before pa iyung APEC. Ang pagkaka-alam ko kasi, itong si Aisa, produkto na siya ng isa pang programa na called Ideas Space kung saan mayroon nang tie-up ang DOST,” Liboro said.
The SALt lamp invention of Aisa Mijeno and her team is an environment-friendly and sustainable alternative light source that runs on saltwater. Based upon reports, the group needs an initial mass production cost for the SALt lamps at around P17 million.
The DOST clarified that the government agency is ready to assist Mijeno in commercializing her invention through its program under the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act.
Watch the Video Interview with DOST by Ted Failon: