ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Team Tsinelas makes history as the first Filipino team to reach the finals of the FIRST Robotics Competition New Taipei City Regional, spotlighting the nation's growing STEM talent.

Team Tsinelas, the first Filipino team to join the prestigious FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), proudly secured a finalist spot at the New Taipei City Regional event, marking a significant moment for the country's STEM community.

“This milestone marks a significant leap for the Filipino STEM community as they proudly represent the Philippines on the international stage,” the team said in a statement. They emphasized that their achievement “highlights the team’s dedication and the country’s growing presence in international robotics competitions.”

Founded in 2023 by Milton Lopez, a high school sophomore who previously lived in Taiwan, Team Tsinelas was born from the recognition of a need to boost the Philippines’ visibility in global STEM and robotics fields.

“Bringing prior FRC knowledge from Taiwan, he (Lopez) and a group of dedicated Filipino teenagers identified a gap in the Philippines’ global footprint in STEM and robotics,” the team added.

Prior to their latest feat, Team Tsinelas already made waves during their debut at the FRC Southern Cross Regional in Australia, where they earned the prestigious Rookie Inspiration Award, setting a strong foundation for future accomplishments.

“This success not only reflects the team’s technical prowess but also underscores the youth’s role in advancing the Philippines’ STEM engagement,” Team Tsinelas stated, expressing hope for more Filipino participation on the global stage.

The FRC is regarded as the world’s largest high school robotics competition, drawing 3,300 teams and 83,000 high school students from across the globe.

REFERENCE LINK:

https://technology.inquirer.net/141802/pioneer-ph-team-finalist-of-intl-high-school-robotics-competition

The Philippines is ramping up its efforts in renewable energy and smart technology to address climate change and promote sustainability.

The Department of Energy (DOE) projects over 11,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy will power the country by 2030. Major projects include a $15-billion renewable energy deal with UAE-based Masdar and BuhaWind’s 4,000-MW offshore wind project, both supporting the government’s green energy targets.

In the transport sector, the zero-tariff policy on electric vehicles (EVs) is extended until 2028, encouraging cleaner mobility. Ayala Corporation has also secured a $100-million loan from the Asian Development Bank to expand EV infrastructure.

Agriculture is also going high-tech. Denso Philippines recently launched a smart hydroponic farm in Batangas, while AI-powered apps like Agriconnect are transforming farm management with real-time tracking.

REFERENCE LINK:

https://business.inquirer.net/525020/over-11000-mw-of-clean-energy-seen-powering-ph

In 2024, 21 million active users of GForest, the in-app technology platform developed by GCash to enable users to support a variety of environmental projects, along with its planting partners, planted an incredible 4 million trees.  In collaboration with the ABS-CBN Foundation, Culion Foundation, Friends of Hope, Inc., the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI), Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI), Silliman University, and The World Wildlife Fund (WWF), this milestone has advanced the ecological and socioeconomic impact of reforestation and agroforestry projects.

Evyone can support local communities and the environment through the GForest digital eco movement.  By converting green energy points earned from in-app digital transactions (such moving money, purchasing merchandise, or paying bills), GCash users can plant virtual trees.  This accomplishment represents the success of a multi-stakeholder model where conservation experts, environmental organizations, local communities, and GForest app users can all significantly contribute to environmental efforts through climate technology, as they play a role in boosting the livelihoods of Filipino farmers. Environmental partners plant actual, corresponding native and indigenous trees in key areas across the country, with members of local communities also maintaining the planting sites to support their livelihoods.

“GForest is a key innovation within GCash that’s simple, easy, and accessible, allowing us to use tech for good to empower every Filipino to be part of the solution,” says CJ Alegre, GCash head for sustainability. “Environmental conservation is a shared responsibility, so it is amazing to see the significant strides we can make together to promote sustainability and combat climate change. We look forward to building on this strong foundation.”

As of 2024, 21 million active GForest users have contributed to planting 4,033,854 trees spanning 14,364 hectares, in partnership with six nationwide planting partners, and empowering and benefitting over 11,244 local farmers across the Philippines, including smallholder farmer families.

CJ Alegre shares, “At GCash, our goal is to continue harnessing tech for good to support this green cycle—through the way GForest enables our app users, how we engage our planting partners, and in the upliftment of the communities that contribute to the cause.”

Reference Link:
https://www.rappler.com/brandrap/gcash-gforest-green-heroes-restore-ecosystems/