Ungale Handicrafts receives DOST SETUP assistance

Another micro-entrepreneur from Biliran has received support for technology acquisition to improve its production of gifts and holiday decor products (GHD). The Ungale Handicrafts of Brgy. Ungale, Kawayan, Biliran was among the latest MSMEs who benefitted the Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) of DOST.

With the package of technical assistance is a financial component for acquisition of equipment worth Eighty Five Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Pesos (PhP 85,250). Ungale Handicraft owner Mr. Rodito Madrideo is grateful for the support which would enable his firm to acquire new sets of heavy duty sewing machine and embroidery machine to be used in the production of various handicraft products made of local fibers such as abaca and pandan leaves.

The support in turn aims to increase the production volume of the company by 30% from current production, generate additional employment of at least 6 persons, and increase income of the SME by 20%.

DOST Biliran launches community based projects

Two community based projects were launched on April 6 and 7, 2011 in Cabucgayan and Culaba towns of Biliran Province, respectively. These projects center on application of science and technology for improvement of municipal priority products (One Municipality One Product) by providing technology training, consultancy services, packaging and labeling, and establishment of common service facility. These would redound to creation of new business opportunities that would in turn result to employment generation and creation of alternative source of income for the community.

LGU-Cabucgayan received support for the Community Project for Process and product improvement of coconut wine (bahalina) which will benefit the "tuba" gatherers, the coconut farmers, and the wine processor who are members of the Cabucgayan Corn Farmers Association. The project aims to elevate the lowly bahalina into a better packaged wine at par with imported wine products. Meanwhile, LGU Culaba, with the Culaba Papaya Producers Association received support for Establishment of Common Service Facility for Processing of Papaya. The main product, papaya pickles will be improved in terms of quality and packaging with this project.

Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Executive Director of the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Unit of the Department of Science and Technology VIII, represented Engr. Edgardo M. Esperancilla, DOST-8 Regional Director in spearheading the ceremonial turn-over of the financial assistance to the recipient LGUs and their intended beneficiaries. With the DOST group are Provincial Director of Biliran, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos,  the DOST VIII GIA-Coordinator, Ms. Lucia P. Dauz,  DOST Biliran staff Engr. Ma. Catherine Gonda, SRSII and Mr. Teddy Abenido, SRA, and Mr. Dominic Abiabi of DOST-8.

Mayor Gemma G. Adobo of Cabucgayan and Mayor Enrico V. Uyvico of Culaba, also led the recipients who accepted the ceremonial check during the separate occasions that were held in the SB Hall of Culaba and in the Municipal Terminal of Cabucgayan. The Mayors stressed their gratefulness to the DOST Regional Office VIII, and expressed their commitments to push for the realization of the project objectives. LGU Cabucagayan received PhP176,000 in GIA assistance while LGU-Culaba received PhP214,000. The assistance covers the purchase of equipment and tools and label design development and execution for the target products.

DOST SEI Scholarship for SY 2011-2012 Passers for Biliran

Fifty seven (57) fourth year graduating students of SY 2010-2011 from Eastern Visayas qualifies the DOST Scholarships for the coming SY 2011-2012. Two came from Biliran province namely: Meriam Solar Celino of Cabucgayan National School of Arts and Trades, Cabucgayan, Biliran  and Ellen Joyce Bolences Nartia of Naval School of Fisheries, Naval, Biliran.

The examination was conducted last November 21, 2010 in testing centers nationwide.

Passers are advised to contact the DOST Regional Office No VIII, at Palo, Leyte through telephone numbers (053) 323-7111, (053)323-6356 for more details and further advise.

Naval feels slight quake

Naval, Biliran. A light tremor with a magnitude of 4.3 was felt this morning of March 28, 2011 in Biliran's capital town of Naval.

The quake was recorded at 6:29 AM and found to originate from the following coordinates:11.51ºN,124.38ºE - 6 kms. S 14° W of NAVAL (BILIRAN ISLAND). It has a shallow depth of 18km and of tectonic origin. The quake was also felt at Leyte, Leyte with magnitude of 3 and in Jaro and Capoocan, Leyte with magnitude of 2.0.

For further details you can visit Phivolcs by clicking this link.

No immediate radiation threat on PAR - PAGASA

PRESS RELEASE (March 14, 2011,6:00PM)

The Department of Science and Technology, thru PAGASA and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), is thoroughly monitoring the situation of the nuclear power plants in northern Japan in relation to the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami events.

The DOST-PAGASA has done several numerical simulations. The numerical model outputs predict the motion of air which may transport radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plant in the event of a nuclear fallout. The computed trajectories of air parcel for the next three days showed that radiation from the nuclear power plant will not affect any part of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The trajectories as computed at different levels of the atmosphere show that the movements of air parcels are all towards the east of the country going to the Philippine Sea. Similarly, air parcels from the Japanese nuclear power plant are also predicted to move eastward of Japan going to the Pacific Ocean. The levels of the atmosphere where the trajectories are computed are specifically at 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 11 km above the surface. Furthermore, the prevailing winds during this month up to early to mid-May at all levels of the atmosphere over Japan and the Philippines are moving towards the northeast and east. This means that wind trajectories are going towards the Pacific Ocean side.

There is nothing to worry about any immediate effect of radiation in the Philippines at the moment. The DOST-PAGASA, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, will continue monitoring our air system and immediately inform the general public if there is an abrupt change in weather pattern over the region. Should you have any question, please call our DOST-PAGASA Weather Branch (9264258) for clarifications.

About false information on radiation from Japan

The text message circulated today about a radiation contamination reaching the Philippines is a hoax. Please visit the following links for more information:

DOST ADVISES THE PUBLIC NOT TO BELIEVE IN HOAX MESSAGES

No increase in radiation level DOST-PNRI assures public