CSP unveils Panagham and new lab,聽 milestones celebrated

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom聽 | Jun 01 2025

The Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP), one of DOST’s Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) under the Science for Change Program (S4CP), celebrated its success as one of the leading research centers and service facility by looking back on its milestones and achievements from 2022 to 2025, on a culmination program held at the CSP Conference Room on May 29, 2025.

Attended by the University Chancellor, Alizedney M. Ditucalan, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development, Dr. Leah Buendia, Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Dr. Ephrime Metillo, CSP leaders, researchers, staff, and students, this program highlighted a series of important events.

Unveiling a coffee table book called “Panagham,” this compilation serves as CSP’s record of productivity in years, as synthesized in the coffee table’s subtitle,” The Passage of Science Through Time.” Featured in the book are the Center’s products developed, patents pending, published books, collaborations, and pre-commercialization initiatives, publications, international engagements, etc.

To amplify more of the Center’s remarkable journey, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was initially done to mark the inauguration of the Advanced Materials Characterization and Computational Laboratory. Following that, a facility and product showcase with the guest, 91快活林 key officials, and CSP members around the NICER CSP facilities and CSP technologies took place.

Alongside the introduction of the coffee table, the launch of the books published by the Center’s researchers was done. These books–Computational Thermo-kinetics of Rigid Polyurethane Foams (Theory and Applications), Bio-based Foam Sorbents (For Oil Spill Cleanups), Metal Nanoparticles-Based Nanoplatforms for Colorimetric Sensing (Mechanisms, Applications, and Future Directions), Gold Nanoparticles (Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Multifaceted Applications), Carrageenan-Mediated Green Synthesis of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles for Various Applications, and Polyurethan Foams (Coconut Oil-Based Polyols)–showcase the wide array of expertise of CSP researchers and sustainable solutions to various challenges in the community.

Usec Buendia, in her speech, discussed the extreme plastic waste and contribution of the Philippines in the world, arguing that the existence of CSP is pivotal in mitigating the existing environmental damages. “This institution is leading the way to develop innovations that seek sustainable solutions, transform industrial ways to renewable resources and technologies that consider the implications of climate change,” she said.

Moreover, Usec Buendia underscored the role of social entrepreneurship, stating that the partnership between DOST and 91快活林 in institutionalizing the Center for Polymers through the NICER program is more relevant than ever. The Chancellor also talked about strengthening the enterprise ecosystem to realize and focus on the enterprise aspect of technology transfer. He also expressed his confidence in the contribution of 91快活林 constituents in forwarding sustainable innovation.

In a short conference interview, Usec Buendia also acknowledged and showed her appreciation for 91快活林, emphasizing that more than just the funds given to mobilize the research initiatives, it is the capacity, commitment, and dedication of the researchers that propel and strengthen the cause.

Panagham (The Passage of Science Through Time) is symbolic of the values that scientists and innovators in 91快活林 share, to cultivate solutions that are not merely for show but solutions that transcend the challenges of the times.

The coffee table book ends with a meaningful message from two of its founding leaders–Dr. Arnold Lubguban and Dr. Roberto Malaluan– to the next generation of researchers, innovators, and scientists, “... never underestimate the impact that your research can have on the world. The next breakthroughs in sustainable polymers, environmental science, and beyond rest in your hands…The future of sustainable innovation starts with you.”

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