THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology announced the approval of seven new Niche Centers for R&D in the regions which will be implemented by seven schools.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said a total of P540 million will be granted to the Technological Institute of the Philippines, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Isabela State University, Mariano Marcos State University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Laguna State Polytechnic University, and De La Salle University.

TIP will be in charge of the Center for Advanced Batteries and research on optimizing batteries and how its price can be lowered through the usage of nickel and iron, and renewable energy storage for electric cars.

MSU-ITT, on the other hand, is in charge of the Center for Sustainable Polymers, which aims to develop value-added industrial products like foam and modified concretes from derivatives of coconut and nutraceutical and biomedical applications on fish processing wastes.

ISU is in charge of the Smart Water Infrastructure and Management R&D Center, which aims to develop climate-resilient flood mitigation and remediation measures.

Meanwhile, MMSU will be in charge of the Coastal Engineering Research Center, whose aim is to create appropriate technologies to improve coastal resilience and structures, and create policies for coastal communities.

PUP will be at the helm of the Center for Environmental Technologies and Compliance in-charge of helping local industries to have appropriate environmental technologies to pass environmental standards.

LSPU, on the other hand, will head the Center for Lakes Sustainable Development to give effective strategies to maintain the cleanliness of lakes in CALABARZON.

And finally, DLSU will be in charge of the Center for Vector of Diseases to study ways on how to eradicate insects that carry diseases.