ClusteRICE 2025: The Ultimate Search for the Philippines’ Best Innovations

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The future of Filipino innovation is here, and the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) is leading the charge with ClusteRICE 2025: The Search for the Best and Brightest Local Innovations.

This prestigious biennial competition is set to uncover groundbreaking inventions, revolutionary designs, and game-changing research that will help shape the country’s future. With the theme “We RICE the nation with real-world solutions,” ClusteRICE 2025 promises to empower local innovators, provide national recognition, and open doors to international opportunities.

If you have an invention, research, or design that could change the world, this is your chance to shine!

ClusteRICE: A Legacy of Innovation and Progress

For decades, the Philippines has been a breeding ground for innovation, with countless inventors and researchers producing real-world solutions to address societal challenges.

ClusteRICE evolved from the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE) and the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE), which were created under Republic Act 7459, also known as the Inventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines.

Since its first run in 2009, RICE has provided Filipino innovators with a platform to showcase their ideas, leading up to the national-level NICE competition. Now, in 2025, ClusteRICE is set to continue this mission by offering an even bigger and better platform for inventors, researchers, and students across the country.

With streamlined categories and bigger prizes, this year’s competition is designed to highlight only the best of the best, ensuring that Filipino innovations get the recognition they truly deserve.

ClusteRICE 2025 Categories and Cash Prizes

This year, ClusteRICE will be awarding one grand winner per category, with five major awards up for grabs:

Tuklas Award for Outstanding Invention – ₱50,000

Unlad Award for Outstanding Utility Model – ₱25,000

Banghay Award for Outstanding Industrial Design – ₱25,000

Likha Award for Outstanding Creative Research (Private and Government-Funded) – ₱20,000

Sibol Award for Outstanding Student Creative Research (High School and College) – ₱20,000

In addition to the top winners, the nine runners-up in each category will receive a consolation cash prize of ₱5,000.

Winning isn’t just about the money—ClusteRICE winners will gain national recognition and qualify for NICE 2026, where they will have the chance to compete on a global scale.

From Local Innovation to Global Recognition

ClusteRICE winners don’t just win cash prizes—they unlock opportunities for global exposure.

In 2024, NICE winners took their innovations to the world stage, representing the Philippines at:

The 49th International Exhibition of Inventions – Geneva (IEIG) in April 2024

The Seoul International Invention Fair (SIIF) in November 2024

At these prestigious events, Filipino innovators brought home multiple awards, proving once again that Filipino ingenuity is world-class.

By winning ClusteRICE, you could be the next to represent the Philippines on the global stage!

Presidential Recognition for Filipino Innovators

The Philippine government is fully committed to supporting and recognizing outstanding Filipino innovators.

In July 2024, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. personally handed out awards to the winners of NICE 2024, highlighting the government’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation in the country.

This tradition will continue in 2026, with ClusteRICE winners receiving the same level of national recognition and opportunities for government support.

If you want your invention to be recognized by the highest levels of leadership in the Philippines, ClusteRICE 2025 is your chance!

How to Join ClusteRICE 2025

Are you ready to showcase your groundbreaking invention or research? Here’s how you can be part of ClusteRICE 2025:

Key Details:

Deadline for Submission: March 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM

Entry Forms:

Tuklas, Banghay, Unlad, and Likha Awards: https://bit.ly/3Cbp8jm

Sibol (Student Creative Research - High School and College): https://bit.ly/3PtPLDd

Competition Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3WcDPJU

For further information, visit the DOST-TAPI official website: www.tapi.dost.gov.ph

Let’s RICE Up the Nation with Innovation!

ClusteRICE 2025 isn’t just a competition—it’s a movement to empower Filipino inventors and innovators.

This is your chance to:

✔ Turn your ideas into reality

✔ Receive national and global recognition

✔ Get support to bring your innovation to the world

Don’t miss this opportunity! Submit your entry before March 15, 2025, and take your place among the next generation of Filipino inventors and researchers.

DepEd, NEA to Bring Electricity to Last Mile Schools

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a landmark move to bridge the educational divide in the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) have formalized a partnership to electrify "Last Mile Schools" (LMS) situated in the nation's most remote and underserved areas. This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s vision of inclusive education and sustainable development.

Last Mile Schools are defined by DepEd as educational institutions located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, often lacking basic infrastructure, including reliable electricity. The absence of power in these schools has long been a barrier to quality education, limiting access to modern learning tools and resources.

The collaboration between DepEd and NEA aims to provide these schools with dependable electricity, primarily through the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This approach not only ensures a steady power supply but also promotes the use of renewable energy, contributing to environmental sustainability.

Funding for the project is expected to come from various sources, including government allocations, grants, and other financial mechanisms. Additional support may be garnered from electric cooperatives, local government units, and private-sector partnerships, fostering a collaborative effort to uplift the nation's educational framework.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative, stating, "This moment reflects a shared vision and a unified effort to address one of the most vital aspects of development—ensuring that every child, no matter how remote their location, has access to the transformative power of modern education."

The significance of leadership in driving progress was also highlighted by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, who expressed enthusiasm for the presence of key energy sector leaders in this endeavor. He remarked, "Bringing all of you together—our lawmakers and leaders in the energy sector—in the same room, working towards a common goal of helping our schools, is a tremendous step forward."

This partnership is a continuation of NEA's longstanding commitment to rural electrification. Established in 1969, NEA has been at the forefront of projects supporting the Rural Electrification Program, collaborating with electric cooperatives to improve the lives of Filipinos by ensuring access to electricity.

The impact of electrification on education is profound. A study analyzing the experiences of nine rural public schools in the Philippines, beneficiaries of a solar electrification program, found significant improvements in educational outcomes following the introduction of reliable power sources. The availability of electricity enabled extended study hours, enhanced teaching methods through the use of electronic devices, and improved overall school operations. 

Moreover, initiatives like the Solar Village Foundation's project to provide solar-powered printers to isolated schools have demonstrated the practical benefits of electrification. By equipping schools with essential tools and training teachers and village-based technicians in maintenance and repair, such projects ensure that students and educators have access to necessary resources, even in the most remote locations. 

The partnership between DepEd and NEA represents a significant stride toward educational equity in the Philippines. By bringing electricity to Last Mile Schools, the initiative not only illuminates classrooms but also brightens the future prospects of countless students, empowering them to build a strong educational foundation and seize more opportunities.

As this project progresses, it serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government agencies, local communities, and the private sector in driving meaningful change. The electrification of Last Mile Schools is more than an infrastructure upgrade; it is a beacon of hope, signaling a brighter, more inclusive future for Philippine education.

VP Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial: She’s Ready, But Is the Senate?

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Last November, when Congresswoman France Castro first raised the possibility of impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte, the VP wasted no time preparing for a possible trial. In her recent press conference, Duterte revealed that she had already been meeting with her lawyers to ensure she was ready for whatever lay ahead.

But while VP Sara is fully prepared, the Senate seems to be dragging its feet. Instead of promptly commencing the trial, they decided to delay it until Congress reconvenes in June, after the midterm elections. Senate President Francis Escudero justified this decision by claiming that the senators, who will act as judges in the trial, must first be sworn in as an impeachment court while Congress is in session. This reasoning, however, is now being challenged by legal experts.

Senate’s Delay: A Violation of the Constitution?

According to Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution:

“When a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the Members of the House, it shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and the trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.”

The term “forthwith” is crystal clear—it means immediately, without unnecessary delay. The Senate’s decision to postpone the trial until June is a direct violation of this constitutional mandate. If this is tolerated, it sets a dangerous precedent where any impeachment process can be manipulated simply by delaying or refusing to hold the trial.

The Senate: Manipulating or Incompetent?

If the Senate has a clear constitutional obligation to begin the impeachment trial immediately, why are they stalling? There are only two possible explanations:

The process is being deliberately manipulated to favor one side.

The senators lack proper knowledge of their constitutional duties.

If senators, especially Senate President Escudero, had truly studied the law, they would have anticipated this situation and been prepared. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say, “The Senate can take a vacation before holding the impeachment trial.”

Impeachment Should Not Be Politicized

Impeachment is a vital mechanism for holding public officials accountable. Any delay in this process is a denial of justice to the Filipino people. If a high-ranking official can avoid impeachment just by delaying the trial, then what is the point of having laws in the first place?

It is no secret that some senators do not care about public sentiment because they know there are no immediate consequences for inaction. When election season comes, they flood us with promises—but when faced with real national issues like this, they suddenly disappear.

Senator Risa Hontiveros: The Only Voice of Reason?

Among the senators, only Senator Risa Hontiveros has openly called for the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a system where laws seem to be twisted for the benefit of a few, we need more leaders with courage and integrity.

If we truly want real change in our government, we must remember these events when the next election comes. We must stop electing leaders who prioritize their political interests over the nation’s welfare.

Justice or Manipulation? The Senate Holds the Answer

VP Sara Duterte is more than ready for her impeachment trial—but the real question is, is the Senate ready to do the right thing? The continued delay is not just inaction; it is a direct assault on our Constitution.

If we want a government that is truly accountable, we must stand firm and demand the immediate start of the impeachment trial. In a democracy, laws should never be ignored—especially by those who are supposed to uphold them.