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Ormoc LGU eyes DOST-PNRI’s plastic upcycling technology to help boost the city’s socio-economic growth

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Published: 14 February 2025

PREx project leader Dr. Jordan Madrid of DOST-PNRI shows a sample tile for building construction made of plastic wastes that were upcycled using radiation to DOST-VIII Regional Director Dr. John Glenn Ocaňa (right) and Engr. Heber Matoza.

Ormoc LGU eyes DOST-PNRI’s plastic upcycling technology                               to help boost the city’s socio-economic growth

In their effort to strategize the growth of their city, the local government officials of Ormoc in Leyte looked at projects of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to help achieve their goals. One of the projects that captured their interest was DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute’s Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Waste (PREx Plastic) which applies radiation technology, particularly electron beam irradiation, to enhance the mechanical properties of products made from recycled plastic wastes.

“PREx fits perfectly in UNDP’s thrust to stop plastic pollution and stimulate circular economy,” said DOST-VIII Regional Director Dr. John Glenn Ocaňa in a visit to PNRI with Ormoc officials on Feb. 6, 2025. He pledged to bring the technology to Leyte, initially in Ormoc which first noted the PNRI-developed technology.

During the visit, PREx project leader Dr. Jordan Madrid showed a sample brick and tile for building construction made of plastic wastes that were upcycled using radiation. The PREx Plastic project is implemented in collaboration with DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute and Envirotech Waste Recycling, Inc.

PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla likewise updated the guests with other PNRI projects such as the carrageenan plant growth promoter that can increase crop yield up to 40 percent, isotopic techniques that can determine food authenticity and origin, and the Nuclear Medicine Research and Innovation Centre that can help make cancer diagnosis more accessible and affordable.

Funded by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development and supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), PREx is also in line with the Philippines’ participation in IAEA’s NUTEC Plastics Project which promotes the use of nuclear and radiation technologies for environmental and industrial development.

(By Framelia V. Anonas | Photos by Jero Hendrix C. Yee) 

DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla (rightmost) shares to the Leyte delegation led by DOST-VIII Regional Director Dr. John Glenn Ocaňa (second from left) and Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Science and Technology Director- Leyte Roderick Pacaňot some of PNRI projects that will be useful to Leyte such as the carrageenan plant growth promoter, food authenticity using isotopic techniques, and the upcoming Nuclear Medicine Research and Innovation Centre. With them is PREx project leader Dr. Jordan Madrid.

Ormoc City and DOST-VIII officials led by Dr. John Glenn Ocaňa (seventh from left, front line) made a special visit to DOST-PNRI to learn more about the Post-Radiation Reactive Extrusion of Plastic Waste project which is seen to help Ormoc City boost its socio-economic growth. The delegation is comprised by the different offices of the Ormoc LGU, City College of Ormoc, and representatives from the United Nations Development Programme. From left: Lucia Dauz, Heber Matoza, and Roderick Pacaňot (all of DOST-VIII); Ingrid Macabare, Red Jean Briones, Maricar Betonio (all of Ormoc City LGU); Jennymarx Apit of City College of Ormoc; PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla; Dr. Ocaňa; PNRI Scientist Dr. Jordan Madrid; Josephine Dosdos, Jay Scoth Betonio, Ira Bantasan, Joramay Morales, Rhea Panares, and Raoul Cam (all of Ormoc City LGU); and Leah Anadon Payud (UNDP).