Monday, December 16, 2024

Tag: Department of Science and Technology

DOST, LGU Pangantucan to improve science, tech info access in GIDA areas through STARBOOKS

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In partnership with the Local Government Unit of Pangantucan and the Department of Education Division of Bukidnon, the Department of Science and Technology provides seven STARBOOKS units in seven public high schools in Pangantucan. STARBOOKS is the country’s first digitized library

The school beneficiaries are Pangantucan National High School, Bacusanon National High School, Bangahan Integrated School, Kimanait National High School, Langcataon National High School, San Isidro High School, and Pangantucan Bukidnon Community College.

The project holds immense potential for the 4,944 high school students, 1,389 college students, and 890 teachers who have long depended on limited books and unreliable internet access. These schools predominantly serve Indigenous Peoples (IP) students from the Manobo tribe.

During the turnover ceremony, Dr. Lanila M. Palapar, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, encouraged the attending teachers to embrace continuous learning and engage with new technologies.

“Let us not stop learning for ourselves and for our students,” Palapar emphasized, highlighting the importance of keeping pace with the evolving educational landscape.

The significance of the STARBOOKS project was further highlighted by the Science Research Specialist of DOST Bukidnon, Grazelle Dela Cruz, who showcased its vast array of resources that will now be readily available to students and teachers alike. STARBOOKS is a digital library that offers free access to hundreds of thousands of theses, K-12 modules, DRRM materials, research papers, theses, dissertations, and S&T news.

The Science and Technology Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk (STARBOOKS) is an innovation of the DOST Science and Technology Information Institute.

Expressing gratitude for the initiative, Dr. Ellen A. Azuelo, Education Program Supervisor and also the project leader, commended the DOST for its efficient and comprehensive project implementation process.

LGU Pangantucan’s Executive Assistant, Rolando Franco, also encouraged the other schools in the MunicipalityMunicipality to avail of the same project for inclusive education opportunities.

Dr. Ligaya S. Gonzales, School Principal of Pangantucan National High School, expressed hope that this intervention from the DOST would be followed by further support for STEM education in Pangantucan, fostering a solid foundation for the high school learners’ academic journey.

By providing accessible and up-to-date information, the project aims to empower students to pursue STEM courses and become valuable contributors to the S&T human capital of the country. With the collaborative efforts of the DOST, DepEd, and local educational institutions, the future of S&T education in Pangantucan will be brighter than ever. (Rashia Mae Deva Paano/DOST 10)

DOST, MSU-IIT innovation help Bukidnon IPs get clean water

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A joint project between the Department of Science and Technology in Northern Mindanao (DOST-10) and Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute has helped an indigenous community in Talakag, Bukidnon, have access to potable water

In a statement on June 22, 2023, the DOST-10 and the MSU-IIT’s Ceramic Training Center said it had provided 140 ceramic water filters to the Higaonon community in Barangay San Rafael.
Barangay chairperson Puyat Sagayan said that before the project, their community had to boil the water for it to become potable.
The area suffered diarrhea cases in 2019 and 2020, he added.
“I hope more will still be given so that everyone in the households will have one,” he said.
The DOST-10 microbiological analysis found coliform in the water source in Barangay San Rafael, and residents had to travel 2 kilometers to collect water from a spring, posing challenges to its potability due to source and handling.
Municipal administrator Alberto Bigcas said the project has helped address the drinking water problem in the Indigenous people’s community and the area’s state of health as a whole.
The ceramic water filters are part of the DOST-10 “Project Wahig: Water and Hygiene Improvement in Geographically Isolated Areas,” in which Talakag is the second recipient of the agency’s ceramic water filter technology under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program.
NorMin women winners
Meanwhile, the DOST-10 announced that five women entrepreneurs will be given PHP50,000 seed grant each after their success in a regional pitch competition for micro, small and medium enterprises.
The winners were identified as Nenita M. Tan of Best Friend Goodies, Nadine Angelica Gadia-Casiño of Alima Mother Support Center, and Melody G. Paurillo of Kahero Apps Inc, all entrepreneurs based in this city.
Winners from Bukidnon province are Anna Paula S. Chiong of Mama Nene’s Homemade Delights from Malaybalay City and Irene Mae L. Sinhayan of ISY Handicrafts from Talakag.
DOST-10 Director Romela Ratilla said pitches made by women entrepreneurs have the spirit of collaboration, compassion and innovation.
The pitching competition forms part of DOST-10’s “Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Initiative.”
Ratilla said the regional winners will compete against qualifiers from other regions for the National Innovation Challenge for a chance to win a grant of up to PHP2 million. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

DOST deploys drones to reforest Bukidnon’s Mt. Kalatungan

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PANGANTUCAN, Bukidnon – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, in collaboration with Galansiyang Inc., launched a reforestation project in a 4-hectare area at Mt. Kalatungan Range, Pangantucan, Bukidnon, May 31

The project showcases the use of drones for planting tree embryos, also known as “seed balls,” coated with soil and organic manure. These seed balls are loaded into the drone container and dispersed in the target area at Mt. Kalatungan.

Ritchie Mae L. Guno, DOST-Bukidnon provincial director, explained that the project aims to demonstrate the use of drone technology for reforestation and provide a glimpse into the future of tree planting.

“This ‘Project Tanom and Project Lantaw’ marks the beginning of DOST’s efforts in advanced reforestation technology. We plan to expand these initiatives throughout Bukidnon Province,” Guno said during the seed ball dispersal.

Guno emphasized that the initiative’s goal is to create an autonomous social system that balances the needs of people and trees.

“We will use satellite imagery to track the progress of the seed balls and monitor their growth in the forest with the help of drones,” she added.

Jay Arneil Gajudo, the chief executive officer of Galansiyang Incorporated, highlighted the event’s significance, saying that it revolutionizes tree planting in the Philippines.

He explained that the effort eliminates the struggles of planting trees in rocky locations.

The program’s first beneficiary is the local government unit of Pangantucan, Bukidnon.

The initiative is envisioned to have a large and upbeat environmental impact as it supports forestry and agricultural aspirations by utilizing modern technologies such as drones that plant trees in the scenic Mt. Kalatungan, the Philippines’ fifth-highest mountain range. (DOST/PIA-10/Bukidnon)

Bukidnon jam maker gets FDA approval

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Mama Nene Homemade Delights, locally known as Paula’s Bukidnon Delight, earns its Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) for its pineapple jam through the consultancy and training services of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires CPR for food products (beverages, water, canned goods, etc.), food supplements, medicines, and others if such products will be exported.

“It is also a requirement of institutional buyers such as malls and supermarkets. With the newly acquired CPR, this woman-led enterprise can now expand its market reach and offer its delicious and high-quality pineapple jam throughout the country through various malls, pasalubong (gift) centers, and others,” the DoST said in a statement.

Paula Chiong, the owner, considers this achievement a significant milestone since pineapple jam is the very first product of her business.

She said the DoST has assisted her firm in acquiring the FDA License to Operate and now her CPR.

The food enterprise is currently producing 1,000 kilograms of pineapple jam every month — an increase of 66 percent after DoST intervention. It has produced seven additional products such as pineapple muffin, pineapple ensaymada, Paula’s Mango Jam, Paula’s Langka, Paula’s Vinegar, Paula’s Vinaigrette, and Paula’s Chili Sauce.

Paula’s Bukidnon Delights products are now among the province’s most sought-after “pasalubong” (gift) products. The firm also caters to walk-in visitors to their newly opened café at the Kaamulan Ground, Capitol Compound, Malaybalay City.

The firm first acquired the SETUP program, a technology upgrade system. It also received a license from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s Enhanced Nutribun Technology.

The firm is also a beneficiary of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension Program through the consultancy services of the DoST.

These programs have helped the company improve its plant layout, food safety, and halal training, which can help boost the firm’s competitiveness and productivity. The firm was also assisted in its laboratory analysis through the DoST 10 Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories. (The Manila Times)

Malaybalay holds City’s first business forum

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The City Government of Malaybalay, in celebration of the 25th Charter Day, spearheaded the First Business Forum with the theme “Grow with Us, Invest in Malaybalay,” on March 31, 2023, at the Peoples Hall, this city

The said activity aimed to foster engagement, collaborations, and direct relationships with businesses, entrepreneurs, and local investors across the region.

City Mayor Jay Warren Pabillaran joined the forum along with City Vice Mayor Estelito Marabe, City Councilors, department heads, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Board of Investments (BOI), and the Malaybalay City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI).

In his welcoming remarks, Hon. Cromwell Kiril D. Dinlayan emphasized we must work together to grow the economy and reduce poverty, adding, “I urge everyone (in the government) to take this opportunity to consolidate and reinforce your commitment towards a brighter future for Malaybalay.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Pabillaran, in his message, stressed, “The aim of the City Government is that integrity will be intact. Mao nana ang atong standard, kay kung walay integrity ang gobyerno, kinsa man ang magsalig sa gobyerno?”

He added, “If gusto ta mulambo ang Malaybalay, tarongon nato ang pagdala gikan sa gobyerno, and that is important in order for our city to prosper.”

Also, Vice Mayor Marabe reiterated the importance of unity. “As business people, we should unite; we should strengthen our group. If you look at Malaybalay, we are the center of government as the capital city of Bukidnon. We are the center of education. We are the center of religious activities. We were the center of tourism before, and we would like to get that again.”

“If things do not come our way, we will look for things to come our way. If there are no opportunities coming our way. We create opportunities,” he added.

Mr. Christian D. Cambaya, DCIP-IASU Head, was the keynote speaker for the event. He gave insights on the immense opportunities for local economic development (LED) and how to address the challenges that are unique to the local context, which is also the advantage of local government units focusing on the approach concerning LED programs and strategies in the city.

During the session, plenary speakers, namely: Ms. Lourdes Ellen Kionisala, BOI Chief Investment Specialist, discussed labor incentives law; Mr. Romeo R. Lapeciros, Jr., LEDIP Officer on Malaybalay City local investment and incentives code; Ms. Ritchie L. Guno, DOST Provincial Director on innovation support to entrepreneurs; and DTI Provincial Director, Ms. Famelah Raquel D. Villanueva, on DTI current programs.

The first-ever Malaybalay City Business Forum organized by the City Government marks the beginning of a new era in promoting business development and opportunities propelled to reaching new heights of innovation and sustainability in the city and the region as well. (PR)

30 firms in NorMin to benefit from DOST’s consultancy program

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Thirty firms in northern Mindanao are expected to benefit from the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) implementation of the Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) Program this year

This consulting program is meant to help firms reach their full potential and be more productive.

MPEX offers consultations and assessments to help business owners find ways to improve, adopt new technologies, and get better at running their businesses.

Through the 27 competent in-house experts of the agency, enrolled MSMEs in the manufacturing sector are expected to increase efficiency and profitability through improved processes, better equipment, and more.

MSMEs get help with their FDA LTO application, Certificate of Product Registration, plant layout, and food safety trainings like basic food hygiene and good manufacturing practices. MSMEs are also assisted in their packaging and labeling.

Six companies from each province have signed up for MPEX so far for 2023. Most of these companies are in the food processing business.

The completion of each productivity consulting project shall be accomplished in six months. The six-month period comprises the onsite visit and consultation for the data gathering for the technical needs assessment and installation of recommendations and online consultations for monitoring and progress on the implementation of the recommendations. The team will submit a technical report at the end of the consultancy documenting the assessment, analysis, recommendations, and evaluation.

By means of the Subject Matter Specialist Program, the DOST has accredited the agency’s MPEX technical consultants. Among their lines of expertise are food technology, chemical processing, mechanical engineering, and business management. Through a series of consultations, productivity improvement measures will be recommended for immediate implementation as they gear toward their goals.

DOST implements MPEX on a yearly basis throughout the nation to continuously develop MSMEs. Upgraded firms are expected to contribute to the overall economic growth of the country and become globally competitive and sustainable.

Interested MSMEs may indicate their interest by writing a letter of intent addressed to the director of the nearest provincial science and technology offices. (DOST-10/PIA-10)

DOST boosts local food processor’s production

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MANOLO FORTICH, Bukidnon – Nestled in Upper Calanawan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, a thriving food processing facility is providing local farmers with a stable source of income

V&C Agrifarm is considered a business pioneer in the food processing industry with innovative solutions that cater to bulk supplies of processed products through a “B2B” or business-to-business approach.

V&C Agrifarm supplies a pickled mix of ground vegetables and spices soaked in a vinegar-salt solution to NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

V&C Agrifarm’s innovations earned them the Husay Award: Innovation Trailblazer from Nutri-Asia Inc. in 2022 as they continued to provide a positive impact for the Philippines’ leading producer and distributor of sauces and condiments in the Philippines, NutriAsia Inc. (NAI).

This gave its owners, Virgil, and Cleofe Abejuela, more energy. They are both retired chemical engineers who started the business in 2018 after seeing a rise in demand for pickled products on the market and wanting to supply more of them.

Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary for Regional Operations Sancho A. Mabborang visited the facility as the agency provided equipment and technical consulting services to V&C Agrifarm.

Through the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), the agency provided the processors with automatic vegetable washers, dryers, and grinders for bell pepper, garlic, chili, and onion.

V&C no longer has to wash and dry tons of bell peppers by hand because they have machines that do it for them. This makes them more efficient and productive.

Cleofe Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm, said, “The washer and the dryer, the equipment, it really helped us from “mano-mano” (manual washing) to semi-mechanized process. We were given FDA [LTO] last year.”

The processors were given technical advice on food safety, which helped the company get a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) License to Operate (LTO).

The processors were also given technical advice on standardizing pickled vegetables by applying food safety standards from the time they got the raw materials to the time they delivered them.

“There is a collaboration between us, DOST, and USTP. USTP provides training for our staff on food safety. I had the chance to join the forum of SETUP; there were already plenty of beneficiaries; we had a meeting in Malaybalay; I was one of the speakers; it was a common sentiment among those who availed [the program] that it changes your outlook towards the government,” said Virgil Abejuela, co-owner of V&C Agrifarm.

One of the flagship programs of the DOST, the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, or SETUP, is a nationwide strategy that encourages and assists micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in adopting the utilization of technological innovations.

This is meant to improve operational efficiency, increase productivity, and make businesses more competitive, with a big focus on finding solutions based on local conditions and production problems.

DOST Undersecretary Mabborang said, “DOST is cross-cutting, multi-dimensional, sometimes in agriculture, sometimes in engineering, sometimes we are into the laboratories, as long as there is an area that has science and technology.”

Mabborang also encourages other government agencies to also help MSMEs achieve business growth and success, saying, “Para makatulong din sila, ayaw naman namin na kami lang ang bida (so that they may also help, as we also don’t want all the credit).”

Now with automation, V&C Agrifarm’s production increased from the usual monthly average of 381 bags to 826 bags, which means an average increase of 445 (20 kg per bag) bags monthly or 117%.

MSME owners may inquire about and avail themselves of SETUP from a regional DOST office near them. In northern Mindanao, one may call 0917 857 9117 or visit the DOST-10 website at https://region10.dost.gov.ph/. (SAYU | PIA-10)