ISO Preparation activities

The month of June was a hectic month for Biliran PSTC. Not only that our activities were focused on finalizing our implementation of ISO 9000:2008 for accreditation purposes, but also that my assistant, SRS II, is on leave for the entire month, and sadly he planned to resign starting July 2009; for greener pasture, I suppose.

The whole DOST-8 was occupied with series of events on ISO and provincial staff were required to join. We have our Internal Audit training last month, of course with MIRDC, and the actual conduct of Internal Audit.

Despite the time pressure, with me out of office most of the time, new projects are being worked out and are on the pipeline. I would mention them on the next post. Thanks to my job order staff, a janitorial employee who is able to cope the instant promotion (of work only, not pay) in becoming my SRS II. Things really are tough in the DOST. Well, that's science and technology.

SETUP online database takes off in Visayas

After initially developing the DOST SETUP Projects Online in Mindanao The Department of Science and Technology is now on the process of extending the database to include data on projects from the Visayas and Luzon regions.

The DOST SETUP Projects Online is a web-based GIS that features the location of the projects and the interventions of the DOST to the MSMES in the country. A search facility allows one to find projects by major categories, by region, province, district and city/municipality. Each project location features a profile of the project and photos of the progress of implementation.

Currently, the site is hosted by GEOPLAN, a non government foundation that provides solutions and applications that makes use of geographic information systems (GIS) technology. GEOPLAN is responsible for the development of the project in close coordination with DOST Regional Office No. 7.

The DOST-8, through its designated project Administrator Ms. Mae Anne Reyes, has recently given signal to the PSTDs in Region 8 for the inputting of the necessary data and information.

The database for Mindanao can be initially accessed through http://geoplan.ph/dost-setup

PSTDs join PAGASA Training

The Biliran Provincial S & T Director, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, joined the one week training on Extreme Weather Observation Protocol for PSTDs conducted by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on May 25-29, 2009 at the PAGASA Regional Training Center in Diliman, Quezon City.

The training was the second batch out of three batches designed for Provincial S & T Directors all over the country with the end view of augmenting and widening PAGASA's data gathering of weather parameters (like rainfall intensity) during extreme weather conditions.

The training include series of lectures on: PAGASA's functions, programs and services, The weather systems affecting the country, the forecasting and warning systems on typhoons and floods, some basics on climatology, agrometeorology, and climate change. The group also visited the different stations of PAGASA such as the Upper air station in Tanay, Rizal, the Agromet station in UP Los Baños, Laguna, and the Radar Station in Baguio City.

DOST Secretary visits DOST-8 project, event

The DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro, despite the hectic schedule during the joint NAFC and Cabinet Meeting in Tacloban City managed to visit the TBI project in Palo, Leyte and DOST co-organized S & T Exhibits and Fair at the People Center, Tacloban City last April 28, 2009.

Sec. Alabastro was not suppose to go out after the Cabinet meeting due to tight schedules but the exhibit, which is one of the highlights of the on-going Palarong Pambansa in Tacloban City, is worth visiting for. Meanwhile, The TBI project in the Leyte Academic Center is a major project of DOST-8 in the Region and is among the unique ones, and therefore worth seeing as well.

Through the leadership of Dir. Edgardo Esperancilla, DOST-8, the visit was very fruitful not only because of the successful projects and event but also because it brought fellowship among the top leader of DOST and its middle managers, the PSTD and the Regional Unit heads.

ITDI trained rural folks on mushroom production

Naval, Biliran. The Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) recently trained 16 beneficiaries, including women, from Barangay San Pablo this town, on the production of mushroom spawn fruiting bags and the culture of mushrooms. The training ran from April 23-25, 2009.
Facilitated by the DOST-Biliran PSTC through Engr. Manuel Letran, training coordinator and Mr. Romeo Dignos, PSTD and Mr. Ramil Uy, Sr. SRS of DOST-8, the activity was made possible through the expertise of Mr. Emilio Montiague, SRS II of ITDI. The activity was partly funded by the DOST SETUP program and the Barangay LGU of San Pablo, Naval.

The participants were trained on the production of mushroom spawn fruiting bags using saw dust and dried banana leaves and inoculation of mushroom spores. After the training the trainees are expected to produce the bags for growing of mushrooms or selling them to intersted growers.

For further details on the activity, you may contact the DOST-PSTC Biliran on its phone numbers and e-mail address.

CAPE Team assess Fish Farm in Naval

The DOST 8 Regional CAPE Team and the Samar State University aquaculture experts group conducted assessment of a Fish Farm operated by retired Col. Arcadio Lelis in Brgy San Pablo, Naval, Biliran last March 31, 2009.

The consultancy engagement was in response to the beneficiary's request for technical assistance to assist him in improving the fish pond operation in an initial area of 3 hectares situated at Brgy. San Pablo which is about 5 kilometers from Naval town. "There had been operations in the area in the past but they are at small capacity despite the wide area which has potential for development," the soft-spoken retired Biliran Police Provincial commander said in native tongue.

"If the project would succeed, this vast area will be further developed by other investors," he added.

Col. Lelis informed the experts they have stocked the farm previously with prawn fries of PL21, but they have not recovered anything. On initial testing, the experts found out that the water is highly saline, which maybe one of the reasons for the mortality. The large pond has only one water entrance gate coming from the saltwater side and so a second gate for the fresh water is recommended.

Other results and recommendations from the assessing team will be crafted later and which would serve as guide for the beneficiary.

The consultancy team was led by Dr. Renato Diocton and his assistants: Mr. Raul Celmar, Mr. Danilo Mabonga, and Mr. Fernando De Guzman. Facilitating the activity was Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, Supervising SRS of DOST 8, Ms. Evelyn Tablante DOST-8 CAPE coordinator, Mr. Marcelino Nicer Sr, driver., and the DOST Biliran PSTD Mr Romeo L. Dignos.