Meet the Plenary Speakers
DAY 1
Speaker 1
Engr. Auke Idzenga is an internationally recognized practitioner in sustainable community development, with more than 30 years of experience in designing and implementing innovative solutions to address water access and livelihood challenges in underserved communities.
As Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation, Inc. (AIDFI), he has spearheaded the development and dissemination of appropriate technologies that empower rural communities and promote sustainable development. Among his most significant contributions is the widespread adoption of hydraulic ram pump technology, which enables remote upland communities to gain access to clean water without relying on electricity or fuel.
Through his work, thousands of households in the Philippines and other countries have benefited from improved access to water and enhanced livelihood opportunities. The pioneering initiatives he has led in social innovation and appropriate technology have garnered both national and international recognition, including the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award.
A steadfast advocate of practical, inclusive, and sustainable engineering solutions, Engr. Idzenga continues to demonstrate how innovation can drive meaningful social change, improve quality of life, and strengthen the resilience of communities.
Speaker 2
Engr. Eleanor “Lea” Olegario is a Filipino engineer, innovator, and entrepreneur committed to advancing water security and climate resilience through science-based technologies. As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lithos Manufacturing, she has championed innovative solutions that address water access challenges, particularly in remote, disaster-prone, and water-stressed communities.
Her most notable innovation, the Rainfold with Zeramic Filter, was developed to address water access challenges by providing a sustainable source of safe water for remote, disaster-prone, and water-stressed communities. Through this technology, Engr. Olegario has demonstrated how locally developed engineering solutions can strengthen disaster preparedness, improve public health, and enhance community resilience.
Her pioneering work in water innovation has received national recognition, including the Grand Prize in the 2023 Philippine Water Challenge, recognition in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines’ Socially Relevant Technology Competition, and the Grand Winner Award in the Professional Category of the 2025 Alfredo M. Yao Innovation Awards.
A strong advocate of innovation-driven and sustainable solutions, Engr. Olegario continues to demonstrate how practical, science-based, and socially responsive technologies can create meaningful impact and contribute to a more water-secure future.
Speaker 3
Mr. Illac Angelo Diaz is an internationally recognized social entrepreneur and the Founder and Executive Director of Liter of Light, a global movement dedicated to addressing energy poverty through affordable, community-built solar lighting solutions.
Through Liter of Light, Mr. Diaz has pioneered the use of simple, sustainable technologies that provide clean and reliable lighting to off-grid and underserved communities. What began as a grassroots initiative in the Philippines has grown into a global movement operating in more than 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, improving the lives of millions of people while creating livelihood opportunities and promoting climate action.
His innovative work has received numerous international accolades, including the Zayed Future Energy Prize, the UNFCCC Momentum for Change Award, the World Habitat Award, and the St. Andrews Prize for the Environment.
Through his unwavering commitment to humanitarian technology and sustainable development, Mr. Diaz continues to demonstrate how simple, locally driven innovations can transform lives, empower communities, and create lasting social and environmental impact worldwide.
DAY 2
Speaker-Tandem 1
Mr. Rex De Justo is a Filipino agri-entrepreneur and aquaculture practitioner from Capiz whose work demonstrates the transformative impact of science, technology, and innovation on local agricultural enterprises. As the proprietor of Matar Farm, he has dedicated his efforts to advancing sustainable aquaculture through fish production and hatchery operations.
A beneficiary of the DOST Agricultural Productivity (AP) Consultancy Program, Mr. De Justo successfully adopted science-based aquaculture practices through technical assistance, system enhancements, and capacity-building interventions. These innovations enabled Matar Farm to transition from less structured production methods to a more efficient and sustainable aquaculture enterprise.
An advocate of technology-driven and sustainable farming practices, Mr. De Justo exemplifies how the effective adoption of science and innovation can enhance productivity, strengthen the competitiveness of local enterprises, and contribute to the development of the agricultural sector.
Ms. Juafe M. Abareles is a Chief Science Research Specialist designated at the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)–Capiz, where she actively promotes science, technology, and innovation as tools for local economic development and community empowerment.
The DOST Agricultural Productivity (AP) Consultancy Program serves as a strategic initiative that provides micro, small, and medium enterprises with access to expert consultancy services, capacity-building opportunities, and science-based interventions aimed at improving productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness. Through the implementation of this program, enterprises are equipped with technology-driven solutions tailored to their specific operational needs.
Among the enterprises assisted under the program is Matar Farm, where DOST interventions supported the adoption of more efficient and science-based aquaculture practices. Ms. Abareles’ role in translating the program’s scientific and technical expertise into practical solutions has contributed to meaningful improvements in enterprise operations and community development, demonstrating the value of innovation in strengthening local industries.
As a key figure in DOST’s technology transfer and enterprise development initiatives, Ms. Abareles contributes to programs that strengthen enterprise growth, enhance productivity, and promote the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
Speaker-Tandem 2
Ms. Rebecca C. Tubongbanua is a Filipino chemist, entrepreneur, and agri-innovator from Buenavista, Guimaras whose work exemplifies the transformative role of science, technology, and innovation in strengthening local enterprises. As the founder and owner of Mc Nester Food Products, a food processing enterprise established in 2003, she has dedicated her efforts to developing value-added products while promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities in her community.
A beneficiary of the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), Ms. Tubongbanua successfully adopted technology-driven interventions that enhanced the productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness of her enterprise. Through the integration of improved processing technologies and quality management practices, Mc Nester Food Products strengthened its operations and expanded its capacity to deliver high-quality products to a broader market.
Widely recognized as a Magsasakang Siyentista (Farmer-Scientist), Ms. Tubongbanua has received various awards and distinctions for her contributions to agri-entrepreneurship, food innovation, and community development. Beyond her business endeavors, she actively promotes technology adoption among micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and shares her knowledge and experiences with aspiring entrepreneurs, helping foster a culture of innovation and enterprise development.
An advocate of science-based entrepreneurship and inclusive growth, Ms. Tubongbanua demonstrates how the effective application of technology and innovation can empower local enterprises, create sustainable livelihood opportunities, and contribute to rural economic development.
Mr. Allen Daryl F. Asuelo is the Provincial Director of the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)–Guimaras, where he leads initiatives that promote science, technology, and innovation as catalysts for enterprise development, productivity enhancement, and inclusive economic growth.
The DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) serves as one of the Department’s flagship initiatives that assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through technology upgrading, process improvement, technical consultancy, and capacity-building interventions. Through the implementation of this program, local enterprises are empowered to improve product quality, increase productivity, and strengthen their competitiveness in the market.
Among the enterprises assisted under the program is Mc Nester Food Products, where DOST SETUP interventions supported the adoption of technology-driven improvements that enhanced the enterprise’s operations and growth. Mr. Asuelo’s role in facilitating the program’s technology transfer and innovation initiatives has contributed to meaningful improvements in enterprise development, demonstrating the value of science and technology in strengthening local industries.
As a key figure in DOST’s technology transfer and enterprise development programs, Mr. Asuelo continues to champion initiatives that foster innovation, enhance MSME competitiveness, and contribute to the sustainable economic development of Guimaras and beyond.
Speaker-Tandem 3
Mr. Ismael Bagonoc is a Filipino entrepreneur from Passi City, Iloilo engaged in pineapple processing and community-based livelihood enterprises that transform pineapple by-products into value-added products. He serves as Chairman of the Board of the Capiñahan Farmers and Producers Association, where he plays a vital role in organizing and empowering local agricultural producers while promoting community-based enterprise development.
A beneficiary of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, Mr. Bagonoc has led the adoption of appropriate technologies and technical interventions for pineapple fiber extraction, processing, and weaving. These innovations have improved processing efficiency, reduced agricultural waste, and expanded production opportunities within the community, enabling the development of higher-value livelihood activities and strengthening the sustainability of pineapple-based enterprises.
Through the integration of science and technology into local production systems, the association has developed more sustainable and competitive livelihood opportunities that contribute to rural development and community empowerment.
Ms. Marlyn A. Muyana is a resident and artisan from Brgy. Baraclayan, Miagao, Iloilo. As a representative of the Baraclayan Weavers Association, she contributes to the preservation and advancement of traditional hablon weaving while promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities within the community.
A beneficiary of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, Ms. Muyana has supported the implementation of community-based initiatives and technical interventions that have enhanced weaving efficiency, improved product quality, and expanded income opportunities for local artisans. These interventions have contributed to strengthening the association’s production capacity and expanding its market reach.
Through sustained community collaboration and technology-driven support, the Baraclayan Weavers Association has reinforced the sustainability of the hablon weaving industry, empowering local women, preserving cultural heritage, and creating meaningful livelihood opportunities for the community.
Engr. Sheila L. Oberio is a Chief Science Research Specialist and the Provincial Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)–Iloilo, where she leads the implementation of science, technology, and innovation programs that promote inclusive regional development.
As the representative of the DOST Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program in Iloilo, she plays a key role in advancing community-based development initiatives that provide appropriate technologies, capacity-building interventions, and technical support to grassroots enterprises and organizations.
In line with the implementation of the CEST Program, Engr. Oberio works in tandem with local stakeholders, including Mr. Ismael Bagonoc of pineapple processing enterprises and Ms. Analiza M. Deasis of the Baraclayan Weavers Association, in strengthening community-based livelihood enterprises through science-based interventions that enhance productivity, improve product quality, and expand income opportunities.
A committed public servant and advocate of innovation-driven development, Engr. Oberio exemplifies DOST’s mission of bringing science and technology closer to communities to create sustainable and meaningful impact.