CAGAYAN DE ORO, PHILIPPINES—The science community witnessed a momentous event on September 25, 2024, when the Green Biohydrogen to Energy (Green BioH2E) Research and Development Laboratory was inaugurated at the College of Engineering, Xavier University—Ateneo de Cagayan.
The Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) funded the state-of-the-art laboratory under the Institutional Development Program.
The facility aims to develop advanced clean technologies that convert municipal and industrial waste into renewable energy, providing waste-to-energy solutions for local governments and industries in Northern Mindanao. The laboratory seeks to drive the shift toward a circular economy by showcasing hydrogen-to-energy technologies that generate power and heat from waste.
The inauguration event, ARHIKA, started with a program at the Little Theater. Participants were enlightened about the Green BioH2E project led by Dr. Shierlyn S. Paclijan, alongside other waste-to-energy initiatives delivered by Engr. Edwin Richard R. Ortiz and Dr. Noel Peter B. Tan. The university President, Fr. Mars Tan, SJ, led the inauguration, which was joined by Dr. Hercules Cascon, Dean of the College of Engineering, at the press conference.
The project is aligned with DOST’s Science, Technology, and Innovation for Circular Economy (STI4CE) framework that advocates for the reuse, repurposing, and recycling of materials to reduce waste and extend the lifecycle of resources.
In her keynote address, DOST-PCIEERD Deputy Executive Director Engr. Niñaliza H. Escorial emphasized the lab’s pivotal role in advancing the country’s shift to cleaner energy. The Green BioH2E R&D Laboratory is designed to develop end-to-end waste recycling solutions for local governments and industries, promoting sustainable practices in Northern
Mindanao. “As project leader, I am thrilled about the potential of this facility to significantly advance our waste-to-energy research,” said Dr. Shierlyn Paclijan. This is a valuable resource for our faculty, students, and researchers across Northern Mindanao.”
This inauguration marks a crucial step in Xavier University’s commitment to innovation. The institution continues to lead in clean energy research and environmental conservation. The laboratory is expected to benefit researchers nationwide, strengthening efforts to adopt waste-to-energy technologies and promote sustainability.(Rubie Mae D. Fernandez, DOST 10)