ITDI conducts assessment for Gasifier Combustor technology application

The existing oven of Talahid Beach Resor

The Industrial Technology Development Institute through the expertise of Engineer Lorencito M. Pacatang, conducted recently an assessment of two micro enterprises from the Province of Biliran for the possible application of the gasifier combustor technology in their respective processing operations.

Gasifier combustor is a devise that converts biomass wastes into energy through gasification process. The biomass is burned inside a close chamber to produce blue flames that are used as heat source in any cooking processes. The common fuel used are rice hulls which are abundantly found in the rural areas.

Marksahn Breadshop in Biliran, Biliran signified interest in adopting the technology for its bakery business. The owner, Mr. Arthur Cerera was optimistic it would help him reduce his fuel cost. Engr. Pacatang provided the technology design and helped the beneficiary in contacting the fabricator of the equipment. Equipment acquisition will be supported by the DOST through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program.

Meanwhile, Talahid Beach Resort, in Agta Beach, Talahid, Almeria, Biliran who is famous for its unique broiled chicken sought the support of DOST in improving their broiler production facility. The Resort is currently using an old traditional type of oven. ITDI inspected the facility and provided recommendations to improve further their existing oven.

The series of activities that was conducted last June 25-27, 2013 was coordinated by the Training and Consultancy group of the Department of Science and Technology, Regional Office VIII through Engr. Ramil T. Uy, Sr. Science Research Specialist. It was also assisted by the Biliran Provincial S & T Center.

ACAI Goldsmith receives technology upgrading assistance from DOST

Cecil Joson, ACAI proprietress (2nd from left) during the training

The ACAI Goldsmithery shop in Naval, Biliran recently received a series of support from the Department of Science and Technology to make better its jewelry production facility. The assistance is expected to improve the quality of the firm's jewelry products and hopefully create new product lines such as medals, pins, and related items.

It started with the release of Innovation Support fund for the improvement of its process and acquisition of technology related equipment amounting to Four Hundred Sixty Thousand Pesos (PhP 460,000.00).

The transfer of technology on spin casting and electroplating was undertaken through their participation in a training conducted by Metals Industry Research and Development Center of DOST on June 4-7, 2013 at DOST Eastern Samar Conference Hall in Borongan City.

Electroplating technology is needed for the production of low cost jewelry and metal products which are made of low quality metals and coated with precious metals like gold, silver, bronze and the like. These products include: medals, trophy plates, name plates, and the likes. In the other hand, spin casting is the process where small items are molded to desired form before they are plated to produce the final products mentioned earlier.

The training which served both Eastern Samar and Biliran SETUP beneficiaries were jointly coordinated by the DOST Regional Office 8 and the DOST Provincial Offices of Eastern Samar and Biliran.

Engr. Wilfredo R. Lim and Engr. Edilbert M. Dela Peña, both Senior Science Research Specialist from MIRDC, served as resource speakers of the said event.

The upgrading assistance is expected to boost the production capability of ACAI Goldsmith which is currently using the old methods of forming and designing their products. The acquisition of better electroplating technology will also enhance the surface finish of their plated products while spin casting will open for new product lines.

DOST, DAR conducts Food Safety training

The Food Safety Team headed by Engr. Gopo

Food safety is everybody's business and the Eastern Visayas Food Safety Team is serious on its mandate of spreading awareness of ensuring fitness for consumption the food products produced even by micro-enterprises from rural areas. The Balaquid Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative, from Brgy. Balaquid, Cabucgayan, Biliran is the latest to receive the training on Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices conducted last May 29-30, 2013.

Department of Agrarian Reform Biliran Provincial office provided the funding for the two-day training under its Agrarian Reform Infrastructure Support Program III. The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII through the Food Safety Team and the Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center joined hands in organizing the activity.

The training held at Balaquid Women's Building was participated by twelve members of the cooperative who are producers of fruit and vegetable pickles. Engr. Rosella Gopo, Sr. Science Research Specialist and Provincial Science and Technology Director of Samar Provincial Science and Technology Center, headed the Food Safety team's training group. Engr. Isabelita M. Pamposa and Mr. Alfred Calibuso both Science Research Specialist II of DOST-8 was part of the team. Engr. Donnie Rey Duhig, SRS I, and Mr. Teddy Abenido, SRA of DOST Biliran assisted the trainers during the activities. Ms. Nancy Obligado, Provincial Marketing Assistance Officer and Development Facilitator of DARPO Biliran served as facilitator.

The participants were taught on different aspects of Food Safety including: hand washing techniques, Chemical, Allergens, and Physical Hazards, Cross contamination, Personal hygiene, and other topics related to good manufacturing practices. Hands-on activities were conducted to let the attendees experience first hand the topics discussed.

"Damo an amon mabaruan para mas malimpyo pa ang producto (We learned a lot to make our product more clean and safe)" was the general feedback of the participants.

BARBC is mostly composed of women who are family members of Agrarian Reform beneficiaries from the Agrarian Reform Community of Balaquid Cabucgayan. Their products are papaya pickles, mango pickles, and others. Their food processing venture is an added source of income. BARBC members are all farmers.

DOST supports NSU Research & Development efforts

Mr. Amosco & Mr Dignos during the critiquing

To boost the Naval State University's effort to improve its Research and Development capabilities, the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII provided support by training NSU personnel on Statistical Procedures for Research and Development.

A training on Statistical Analysis, Data Interpretation, and Presentation was conducted by NSU in partnership with DOST-8 for the College of Education and College of Arts and Sciences in February 2013 and for the College of Engineering last April 25-26, 2013. Participants were taught on how to identify the best suited statistical analysis based on the design of their project. A matrix was provided to the researchers as easy reference.

Mr. Arnaldo T. Amosco, Jr., Provincial Science and Technology Director of Eastern Samar and the only qualified statistics expert of DOST-8 served as speaker during the series of trainings. DOST Biliran PSTD, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos assisted in the critiquing of the research proposals for the two separate trainings.

Research is one of the four-pronged mandates of state universities alongside instruction, production, and extension. However, many SUCs would admit they have limited capabilities as far as Research is concerned due to a lot of reasons. Among these is limited knowledge of researchers on experimental designs and data analysis and interpretation.

Statistical analysis in researches is a highly specialized knowledge that many researchers think its the sole responsibility of qualified statisticians. But good researchers agree that without knowledge of how the research is to be conducted and data analyzed good research is difficult to achieve.

DOST SEI SY 2013-2014 Scholarship Results

Listed below are the passers for the DOST SEI 2012 Scholarship Examinations from Biliran Province who will be considered scholars starting SY 2013-2014.

1. Apolinar, Lovely D.  Kawayan NHS  RA7687
2. Arche, Hizly Rose N. Naval SF  RA7687
3. Bagdoc, Analyn P.   Almeria NHS RA7687
4, Egipto, Rafael  C. Biliran NAHS  RA7687
5. Palconit, Patrick G.  Biliran NAHS  RA7687
6. Prudenciado, Renz    Maripipi NVS    RA7687
7. Racho, Jetran J.  Naval SF  RA7687
8. Rosel, Vanessa Joy C.  Manlabang NHS  RA7687
9. Tomenio, Rowel A. Culaba NVS  RA7687
10. Montes, Margie P.   Sisters of Mary School,

Congratulations Biliran passers!

Complete List of Passers from Region VIII , click here
Complete List of Passers Nationwide,click here

The DOST SEI SY 2013-2014 Scholarship qualifiers are entitled to free tuition and other school fees, book allowance, PE or NSTP uniform allowance, free round trip for one economy-class transportation if they study outside their home province, monthly living allowance, group health and accident insurance and post-graduation clothing allowance.

As DOST SEI scholars they can enroll in State Universities and Colleges (SUC) and other higher education institutions recognized by the Commission on Higher Education as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development.

Qualifiers of the DOST SEI SY 2013-2014 Scholarship are advised to wait for formal notice of qualification with the schedule of scholarship orientation and signing of scholarship agreement and the requirements to be submitted. For further information they can reach our office at (053)5009347.

DOST brings S & T to the countryside

A shot during the Forum

Mang Pandoy heaves a sigh of hope after hearing a presentation of DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). Finally, from the corner of his entrepreneurial mind he saw a beam of light that lifted up his small metal fabrication shop to a higher plane. "Puede ak niyo mabuligan?" ("Can you help me?")was his only question.

Mang Pandoy (Fernando Goyjodo) was one of the participants during the Forum on the SETUP Program conducted in the Municipal Session Hall of Caibiran, Biliran last January 8, 2013. He is engaged in fabrication of farm implements, metal grilles, and similar products and had been in this venture for more than five years now. Just like other metal fabrication shops he just relied on experience without adopting improved welding and finishing techniques that could have helped improve his products. Thanks to the forum, he has realized he could upgrade his shop and there is an agency that could assist him. And thanks to the local government of Caibiran headed by Mayor Eulalio Maderazo who generously offered support for the activity that was conducted by the Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center.
In response to Mr. Goyjudo's question, DOST-Biliran, conducted a follow through activity in a form of Technology Needs Assessment of his firm. The TNA would ultimately determine what technological assistance DOST could provide to enhance his productivity and competitiveness. DOST lined up several programs to support him should he need them. These include the Manufacturing Productivity Enhancement program (MPEX), Cleaner Production Technology (CPT), Energy Audit, and others.

Preparation of support proposals will follow once technological needs are identified for Mang Pandoy's firm. This is also true to others who signified interest to avail DOST's Programs aas long as they belong to the priority sectors and their needs are technical. DOST-Biliran is always open for client's queries and they can be reached at (053)5009347 and their office is located at NSU Compound Naval, Biliran. (Donnie Rey D. Duhig, SRSI)