Weather Outlook from PAG-ASA

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), through Dr. Prisco D. Nilo, Administrator released on February 9, 2009 this Weather Outlook for February 2009.

"The unusually cold conditions in the tropical Pacific are expected to continue until early 2009. The most likely scenario is for the central and eastern Pacific to remain neutral until the first half of 2009.

"Weather systems that are expected to affect the country are the Northeast Monsoon, the tail-end of the cold front, easterlies, and a slim chance for a tropical cyclone occurrence. The country is expected to experience near to above normal rainfall conditions during the month. The expected stronger than normal easterlies will likely enhance cooling in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean (CEEP) which may influence climate conditions in the country in terms of increased rainfall.

"Air temperatures for the month are expected to be slightly warmer than normal, ranging from19°C-31°C in Luzon and 13°C-24°C over its mountainous areas, 22°C-31°C in the Visayas, 21°C - 33°C in Mindanao and 18°C - 29°C over its mountainous areas.

"PAGASA will continue to monitor the day-to-day rainfall/weather conditions and the large-scale climatic patterns that affect the country. The general public is advised to take necessary precautions for possible flooding and landslides over areas which may experience heavy rainfall."

For other weather concerns please visit the PAGASA Website

Veggie based products in Biliran

White Rose Bakeshop, believed to be the oldest yet surviving bakeshop in Naval town, is coming up soon with another show of its innovative culture. This developed as the manager, Mr. Allan Ang signed this February an agreement with the DOST-8 and the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI-DOST) adopting the veggie-bread and veggie noodles production technologies.

"We also go with the trend, so that we can compete with other new bakeshops," Mr. Ang commented, as he explained why their family business remained stable and stood the challenge of emerging competitors. And the adoption of the technologies is an initiative that proves to that culture.

FNRI would provide the formulations of the two products to WR Bakeshop through training that would be conducted for their workers.

Meanwhile, DOST through the Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) will provide support funds for the acquisition of equipment for the production of veggie-noodles.

PSHS Passers for CY 2009-2010

Three Biliranons hurdled the Philippine Science High School National Competetive Examinations conducted in November 15, 2008. All came from Naval SPED Center in Naval North District Naval, Biliran. The successful examinees are: Apura,SHIURABELLE BELLO, Curso, MARK ANTHONY RELENTE, and Dignos, EVA CLARISSA GABOR. All three are qualified to enroll at the PSHS Eastern Visayas Campus in Palo, Leyte.

For further information interested parties are advised to refer to the PSHS website. Click these link: PSHS Website

Congratulations!

For a complete list of the passers please follow this link: PSHS Nov 15, 2008 Results

We move to a new location

The Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center office has moved to a new location within the NIT Campus. Starting February 2009, we are situated at the 1st Floor of NIT Gymnasium.

We hanged a streamer to enable clients to locate us easily. Please be advised that our telephone and fax numbers are still the same.

Tel/fax: (053) 500-9347
e-mail: rdignos@hotmail.com

First SET-UP Project visits in 2009

A DOST-8 Regional SET-UP Team and an Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) expert conducted an assessment of three ITDI assisted projects in Biliran Province last January 31, 2009 to evaluate the progress of their implementation.

Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, Supervising Science Research Specialist headed the team which is composed of Engr. Ramil Uy, Sr SRS, Ms. Lucia Dauz, SRS II, and Marcelino Nicer Sr., driver from the Regional Office and Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, the Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Director. Engr. Melchor Valdecañas who is the technology expert relevant to the visited projects represented the ITDI.

Among the projects visited was the Fish Processing Demonstration Project in Bunga, Cabucgayan, Biliran operated by the Municipal LGU of Cabucgayan. The facility uses the mechanical dryer and smoke house designed by ITDI through Engr. Valdecañas and his team. The dryer was tested during the visit which was attended by the Sangguniang Bayan of Cabucgayan headed by Vice Mayor Gemma Garcia Adobo. The facility is expected to serve the fisher folks of Cabucgayan in producing high quality dried fish by providing a clean facility for drying.

The team then proceeded to Brgy Bato. Biliran at the site of the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines, a facility producing citronella oil. The factory uses a SET-UP funded extraction equipment designed by Engr. Jesus Villamil with technical support from ITDI, again through Engr. Valdecañas. The facility is currently running in full operation and apparently providing income both to the owners and those laborers hired in the citronella farm and the processing plant.

In Naval, the Team visited the newly relocated Meat Processing Facility of Carding Meat Store which is now situated at Vicentello Street, Naval, Biliran. The firm has tried initial operation just recently and has volume of processed meat (smoked sausages) ready for testing. The firm had been assisted by ITDI in terms of Good Manufacturing Practices in the past consultancy visits.

The team provided recommendations to the cooperators of the respective project in improving their operations to attain the required out which revolves around employment and income generation.

DOST Biliran joins 2009 OTOP Planning

Another year has passed and the One Town One Product (OTOP) Program of the government spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry and actively co-implemented by other line agencies including the Department of Science and Technology is still lively pursuing its mandate of generating employment and investment in the countryside.

The planning and assessment for Biliran Province was conducted on January 28, 2009 at Marvin's Seaside Inn pool-side conference hall. The event highlighted what was accomplished in CY 2008 and what needs to be done in CY 2009.

DOST Biliran's contribution to the efforts of OTOP covered technical consultancy, provision of experts and facilities for training, and technology acquisition support funds for the participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME). Innovation support assistance for acquisition of equipment totalling approximately 1.5 million pesos for three projects comprises the bulk of DOST's part in OTOP program implementation. These funds were directly provided to legitimate SMEs whose projects are aligned with the priority products of the LGUs.

The local government of Culaba was highlighted as among the best municipal OTOP implementers in the Province of Biliran. Their success was due to the active involvement of the local elected officials and the persistence of the Municipal OTOP coordinator Mrs. Epifania Loyola, the Municipal Agriculturist of Culaba, Biliran.