DOST helps improve Almeria's puffed rice product

Mayor Agajan of Almeria (2nd fr left)

Turning the simple puffed rice, popularly known as "ampaw" into a better marketable product is a challenge picked by the Department of Science and Technology Biliran Provincial Office by providing a package of assistance in a form of scientific and technological interventions to improve the product formulation and the processing techniques.

Development assistance through the DOST-8 GIA Program was provided to LGU-Almeria in the amount of Two Hundred Forty Five Thousand Pesos (PhP245,000.00) and was handed by Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, DOST Biliran Provincial Director to Hon. Dominador O. Agajan, Almeria's Chief Executive during a simple ceremony at the Municipal Hall in Almeria, Biliran last December 21, 2012.

The Municipality of Almeria in Biliran Province identified "ampaw" as one of the rice based products for which the town considers as its focus for improvement under the One Town One Product.

This financial assistance will be used for acquisition of equipment and will be housed in a facility which will serve the local producers of "ampaw" from the municipality. The Community based project is expected to provide training and technology demonstration as well as a common service facility for "ampaw" production. Establishing this facility is will benefit directly the local producers and indirectly the rice producers and the retailers of the improved ampaw products. The facility will focus on product quality improvement through technology and equipment acquisition plus packaging improvement.

"Ampaw" processing involves cooking the rice, drying the cooked rice, and then deep frying it. After which, caramelized sugar is added and the mixture is formed into balls or molded and cut like gold bars.

The product is a traditional snack or dessert items across all ages as long as the consumers have the capability to chew harder food, which is one of the characteristics of the product aside from its crispiness. Hardness could sometimes be a disadvantage among younger or older consumers.

But latest technological innovations developed better process and formulations that makes "ampaw" more easily chewable and even more nutritious. These technologies are essentially needed to be transferred to the local manufacturers not only to enhance product quality but also to make it more convenient for the consumers.

4 Biliran studes qualify the PSHS scholarships for SY 2013-2014

Four students from Biliran Division all coming from the Naval SPED Center in Naval, Biliran Province has been named to qualify as scholars for the premier science high school of the country- The Philippine Science High School. This developed after they passed the National Competitive Examinations conducted in September 2012.

(1) ANCERO, Velle Aila Maamo; (2) NAQUILA, Erika Mae Vicente; and (3) CAIRO, Maria Sheena Gudula Sabong qualify for the Eastern Visayas Campus, in Palo Leyte while (4) BADUYA, Mary Snow Haya Pilapil qualifies for the Central Visayas Campus in Cebu City.

For a complete list of passers, please click Complete List from PSHS site.

The passers are advised to refer to the respective campuses where they qualify after they received the official notice from the PSHS system.

As scholars, the qualifiers will have the privilege to study at the designated campus with benefits including free tuition, monthly stipend, and the opportunity to be among the best high school students of the country.

CONGRATULATIONS to all the passers.