Locally developed technologies will be showcased during the celebration of this year's National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) this week.

The theme of the 2006 NSTW celebration is "Saving Lives, Improving Lives through S&T."

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will spearheaded the activities to be held at the Philippine Trade and Training Center along Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

The NSTW is an annual event highlighting the science community's technology development efforts in support of entrepreneurship, human resource development, poverty alleviation, disaster mitigation, and other national concerns.

Some of the technologies to be featured this year are the Romblon-developed coconut methyl ester (CME), information systems for interactive climate and weather queries, rapid earthquake damage assessment and alerts on severe weather conditions, tree barks that remove toxic metals, and an operating system called Bayanihan Linux 4.

Investors and entrepreneurs who want to venture into technology-based business may find opportunities in the Technology Investment Forum on July 18-19 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

The morning sessions tomorrow will focus on Good Manufacturing Practices and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.

The afternoon sessions will feature commercially viable products and technologies such as ampalaya tablet for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, yerba Buena as analgesic, iodine test kit and meter, and natural dye extraction.

On July 19, the featured technologies will include the Mobile F Shelter, a mobile and fold-away emergency house; bamboo tiles and laminates; bamboo veneer lathe; sugar production from tuba; low-fat, low-sugar ice cream; and thermal processing by water spray rotor.

Open for and technology clinics follow after the sessions in both days.

Other interesting technologies that will be features in the exhibit include interactive audiovisual science and math educational materials; nuclear-based air pollutant analysis technique; lung fluke infection medical investigation, and nutrition-packed food products such as soybean gel and soy-peanut spread.

Entrance to the exhibit and forum is free.