Biliran SETUP Database

DOST Biliran has added new information on its blogsite. The SETUP Projects of Biliran can now be accessed through the button on the right column of the Home Page. For the mean time limited information can be viewed and copied by any interested users. Soon the database can include updates as far as refund rates and other information which is made possible through the Cloud Facilities of Google.

Earlier we added the Map Page which will give you ideas of the location of our projects. Here's the link Map

You can also visit the link from this post.

Ms. Maniba named DOST Biliran OIC

Ms. Maria Catherine G. Maniba

With the awarding of the Scholarship for a Doctorate Degree of the concurrent Provincial Director of DOST Biliran, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, Ms. Maria Catherine G. Maniba was named Officer-in-Charge of the office effective August 1, 2014 until the official return of Mr. Dignos.

MS. MARIA CATHERINE GONDA-MANIBA was born and raised in Brgy. Tucdao, Kawayan, Biliran being 2nd child among 3 children of Lilio Candido Gonda (deceased) and Cristina Tecling Borja a retired teacher. She finished her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering cum laude at the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in 1997 as DOST Scholar. In April 2014 she completed her Master’s Degree in Technology Management at University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City under the DOST Human Resource Development Program Scholarship (Residential).

As a government worker, Ms. Maniba, "Cathy" to her friends, started as a contractual Science Research Assistant under the Technical Operations Division of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 8 Gov’t Center, Candahug, Palo Leyte from February 2008- September 2009. She was transferred to the Scholarship Unit in October – December 2009 and served as Scholarship Project Staff II. In January 2010 she was promoted to a permanent position as Science Research Specialist II assigned in the Biliran Provincial S & T Center of the Department of Science and Technology holding office at NSU Compound, Naval Biliran Province.

She was married to Mr. Rodolfo Logro Maniba, Jr. from Brgy. Mapuyo, Kawayan, Biliran and blessed with 2 children. She and her family now resides in Brgy. Tucdao, Kawayan, Biliran.

DOST 8 approves PhP2.9M for 7 new SETUP project in Biliran

Some of the products of AR La Naval

A total of seven (7) micro enterprises from Biliran Province have recently availed of the DOST's SETUP program totaling PhP 2.935 Million worth of technology assistance for improving the productivity of each firm. The bulk of this assistance is on technology transfer and acquisition of technology related equipment.

The firms who were added in the roll of DOST SETUP assisted enterprises in this island province include the following: 1) AR La Naval Motor Parts and General Marketing, Naval, Biliran engaged in customized metals and motor parts productions and industrial tools and equipment fabrication; 2) Memua Minimart, Caibiran, Biliran for the production of veggie based bread; 3) Lego's Tailoring, Naval, Biliran for production of gifts and holiday decors; 4) USJ Welding Shop, Almeria, Biliran for the production of sidecars for tricycle and other fabricated steel products; 5) JC's Breadhauz, Almeria, Biliran for production of specialized bread products; 6) Kisha Snack House, Cabucgayan, Biliran for improvement of its snack food production facility; and 7) Brian's Landscaping and Agricultural Consultancy Services for upgrading of its hydroponic system for production of high valued vegetables.

The SETUP program primarily aims to upgrade the productivity of these firms so that their product will be of better quality and are GMP and Food Safety compliant, for those engaged in food preparation, through the infusion of appropriate technology.

With the infusion of technology the firms are expected to generate local employment and added income by increasing their production capacity and product marketability.

Henry brought floodwaters in Biliran

Bagongbong River Water Level reading

Typhoon Henry, despite having no storm signal in Biliran Province, brought torrential rains over Biliran Island causing floods in different areas around the province.

Almeria town experienced flooding when rain accumulation reached 213mm from 10AM to 5PM on July 20, 2014. Sources estimated the annual global average precipitation at 715mm and the rains that poured over Almeria in 7 hrs is equivalent to almost 6 months of average rain.

Photo by Jocelyn Salloman Odiselam from biliranisland.com

Bagongbong River, which is the largest river in Almeria recorded rise in water level of up to almost 2 meters. The sensor reading taken from DOST-ASTI's PREDICT site is shown in the photo. The site can be accessed through this link Predict

Meanwhile, Naval which is Biliran's capital town experienced almost the same predicament with torrential rains reaching as high as 120mm of rain from 10AM to 5PM also July 20, 2014. The two major rivers Anas and Caraycaray registered rise in water level to about 2 meters from its normal level. Records of the WLMS reading are presented in the following photos taken from PREDICT site. The rise in water levels prompted the LGU to evacuate residents near the rivers and the suspension of classes on Monday July 21, 2014

Coco farmers appreciate Food Safety and GMP

"Food safety is everybody's concern," declares the Eastern Visayas Food Safety Team. For this reason, even aspiring food manufacturers need to understand their responsibility as far as production of safe food is concerned.

A group of coconut farmers from Brgy. Looc, Almeria, Biliran was made aware of the basics of food safety though a lecture on Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)which form part of their training on Village Level Coconut Based Food Processing on June 25-28, 2014 at Looc, Almeria, Biliran.

A total of 32 participants, both men and women, who are members of the Looc Small Coconut Farmers Association in Almeria. The group was headed by Mr. Pastor Mecaydor, who is also the Barangay Chairman of Looc. The group was organized and assisted by the Philippine Coconut Authority, Biliran headed by Mr. Ladislao Atuel, the Provincial Manager. The training was facilitated by the Agricultural Training Institute, VSU, Baybay, Leyte

The DOST Biliran Provincial Director, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos presented the topic on Food Safety which covers basic principles on food safety, different types of hazards, and a brief discussion on DOH Administrative Order 153 s. 2004 that is the REVISED GUIDELINES ON CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE IN MANUFACTURING, PACKING, REPACKING, OR HOLDING FOOD. Mr Dignos also discussed the importance of appropriate labeling and packaging as part of cGMP and food safety advocacy. Packaging and Labeling is embodied in RA 7394 or the Consumer Act of the Philippines under Chapter IV of the Act.

DOST-8 middle managers learn F.Covey's 7Habits

Imagine an organization with highly competent people. The field was cleared, instruments ran smoothly, and people were too eager with high spirits. The outputs were overflowing but there was a stinging pain of stress, anxiety, and exhaustion after the tasks were done. What could possibly went wrong? Perhaps, there needed to be some fine tuning in the workers' characters and values. There must be a revisiting of the habits of effectiveness.

The passion of Dir. Edgardo M. Esperancilla, DOST-8 Regional Director to share the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to his middle managers came into fruition when 20 senior officers of the office completed the course last June 19-21, 2014. I was fortunate I was one of the 20. We thanked the soft-spoken Dir. Ed for letting us experience the program. Dir. Esperancilla completed the said training years back. "It changed my life," he told us.

'I felt grateful for this tool which will not only enhance my work effectiveness but my personal way of dealing with my own life, my relationship with others, and my duties as a human being.' Well, that's a quote from my own mind, which I could have said if I was given the chance to speak then during the closing program. But since time was limited, few volunteers uttered the same thought - of course, using different words.

Ms. Christine Javier of the Center for Leadership and Change, Inc. shared her experience and competence in the 7H program by facilitating the 3-day activity that was held in Tierra de Milagros in Palo, Leyte. Her talents made our spirits "levitate" from Cloud 7 to Cloud 9, with good synthesis and a healthy sense of humor. Ms. Mafe Caalim,also from CLCI, assisted Christine during the activities. That would be a thumbs up for Ma'am Christine and Mafe. Looking ahead for the follow up activities.

The challenge laid upon us is great. The next seven weeks will be the start of a journey in creating a path in our minds. A path that would make way for the habits to create a regular patterns in our routine. Though it's hard, being proactive is a key to achieving what had been carved in our mind as an end result, the vision of what we want to be.