PTRI-DOST trains handicraft makers in Cabucgayan on dyeing of pandan fibers

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Members of the Looc Cabucgayan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (CARECO) gained improved experience on quality dyeing of romblon or pandan fibers used in the manufacture of their popular products- the romblon bags and other handicrafts. This was made possible through the expertise of Engr. Thelma Sipin assisted by her staff Mr. Ronelo Vallente both from the Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology who conducted the training on July 3-5, 2018 at the Multi-purpose Center of Brgy. Looc, Cabucgayan, Biliran. There were 24 members who joined the technology training.

Tube ice production plant soon to open in Naval, Biliran Province

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The much needed clean and safe tube-ice for refreshments and other food application will soon be available in the markets of Naval, Biliran.

This will be made possible with the funding of DOST-8 SETUP of the upgrading project of D'Adaone Bar and Restaurant entitled "Adoption of Tube Ice Production Technology for the Food and Beverage and Tourism Industry Needs of Biliran Province". As the project title states, the D'Adaone will set up a 2 tonne capacity tube ice production equipment through funding support from DOST-8 SETUP which will cater to the needs of tourism outlets (hotels, restaurants, refreshment bars, etc) throughout the Province of Biliran.

More updates will be posted related to this project in the coming months. Meanwhile, interested buyers who plans to place reservation and advanced orders may contact directly with the management of the D'Adaone Bar and Restaurant.

Work Immersion in DOST: A Journey through Science and Technology

(A feature story by Miles Vincent Garrido and Aura Gahera as part of their immersion task)

Work Immersion sounds stressful for Senior High School Students. Yet, as part of the K-12 curriculum, we, STEM students are required to gain relevant learning experiences through actual work by assigning us to a specific partner institution, business organization or establishment parallel to our specializations to help us reinforce our knowledge from classrooms and enhance our skills. For us, with a group of six students, we were engaged with the Department of Science and Technology.

Foremost, we learned that DOST is the premiere science and technology body in the country charged with the twin mandate of providing central direction, leadership and coordination of all scientific and technological activities, and of formulating policies, programs and projects to support national development. DOST Biliran, officially called Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center (DOST BILIRAN-PSTC) is one of the six provincial centers of the DOST-8 currently located inside the campus of Naval State University.

12 Biliranons qualify for DOST SEI JLSS Scholarships

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4,529 third year college students passed the 2017 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) examination which was administered last November 19 nationwide as announced by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) on December 31, 2017.

The JLSS is a scholarship program under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the “S&T Scholarship Act of 1994,” R.A. No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013,” and the R.A. No. 2067 or the Merit Scholarship Program.” There were a total of 6,049 third year college students who are enrolled in various S&T courses that took the examination for the said program. Qualifiers to the program will enjoy two to three years of scholarship benefits, which include tuition subsidy, monthly stipend, book allowance, and others. Passers of the Merit Scholarship will likewise receive the same benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend that is based on the scholar’s socio-economic status.

The following students are the qualifiers from Biliran Province:

DOST-SEI Campaigns for Scholarship

The Department of Science and Technology- Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is once again campaigning for talented and deserving students to apply for the 2018 Undergraduate Scholarship and Junior Level Science Scholarship Programs.

The 2018 Undergraduate scholarship is offered to students belonging to the top 5% of the graduating Grade 12 senior high school for SY 2017-2018 or upcoming first-year students for SY 2018-2019. For this scholarship, students may apply under RA 7687 or the Merit scholarship programs. The RA 7687, also known as the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994,” provides a scholarship to talented and deserving students whose families’ socio-economic status does not exceed the set cut-off values of certain indicators. Meanwhile, Merit Scholarship Program, formerly known as the NSDB or NSTA Scholarship under RA No. 2067, is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics. Applicants and qualifiers must be willing to pursue priority fields of study in the fields of science and technology. 

CEST goes to Higatangan Island

The Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII pushed beyond its normal course by reaching out island communities in Eastern Visayas. First of its empowering tour is the beautiful island of Higatangan which is part of the Municipality of Naval, the capital town of Biliran Province with the conduct of Training Workshop on Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) on June 14-15, 2017 at Emponet Resort in Brgy Libertad.

Higatangan Island, with two component barangays (Brgy. Mabini and Brgy. Libertad) and home to a total population of 1970 (PSA, 2015), is one of the picturesque tourist destinations in Biliran that has gained increasing esteem due to its marvelous shifting sand bar that stretched about 200 meters from the shoreline of Brgy. Mabini to the open and relaxing sea. The island is surrounded by crystal clear waters that is enticing for snorkelers and divers. White beaches are found on the west side and rock formation carved by nature on the north.

Like many rural barangays throughout the country, Higatangan is not immune to common social and developmental problems. Simple community problems are compounded by the fact that influx of local and foreign tourist is expected to increase due to rising promotional activities spearheaded by the young and active Mayor of Naval, Hon. Gerard Roger M. Espina.

The CEST program used the modalities of the CLCP to help the representatives of various sectors in Higatangan. The process involves the crafting of common dream or vision for Higatangan in the next 10 years and identify the key issues and activities they deem important in achieving their dream. Ms. Evelyn Tablante, of DOST-8 served as resource person and led facilitator of the workshop. Support facilitators for the two-day training workshop are DOST-Biliran staff Ms. Ma. Catherine Maniba-SRS II, Ms. Juliet M. Aguirre-AA III, and Gracevillalyn Saldo-PA II with DOST-8 support staff Ms. Teresa Yepes and Ma. Arian Jane Q. Gad.

Result of the CLCP shows that among the top concerns of the island are: 1) access to safe and potable water; 2) clearing of unwanted structures in the beach and sand bar area; 3) easy access to health services and medicine, 4) putting up of police sub-station, 5) construction of covered court both for sports and evacuation purposes, and 6) dumping site for solid waste management. The 55 participants coming from the two barangays were composed of representative from the barangay officials, farmers, fisher-folks, women, youth, senior citizens, housewives, and micro entrepreneurs (mat weavers) sectors. The final output of the activities is an action plan for one year in relation to their priority activities.

Regional Director Edgardo M. Esperancilla, of DOST-8 who headed the CEST Team himself, inspired the participants of the training workshop by reminding them how fortunate they have to have a potential world class tourist spot that is even better than other popular places abroad. He also stressed the need for better management of their resources to maximize their potential especially for tourism purposes. He was also appreciative of the enthusiastic response and cooperation of the representatives from various sector coming from the two barangays. Director Esperancilla further stated that results of the CLCP will be a good entry point for identification of priority projects for implementation by concerned line agencies.

Engr Ramil Uy, Sr. SRS of DOST-8, presented the programs of DOST-8 to the participants to give them a birds’ eye view of relevant services DOST-8 is providing to the community under the CEST program. Dr. Romeo Dignos, Provincial S & T Director for DOST-Biliran also presented the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program to encourage the micro-entrepreneurs in the island to adopt technology innovation for better product quality to catch the tourist taste and needs.

The Naval State University, headed by OIC-President Dr. Victor Cañezo, ably represented by the NSU’s Director Extension Services Office, Dr. Christopher Vicera served as the organizing institution for the CLCP activity. Mr. Jeremy Balondo and Engr. Bryan Bernil, both personnel and instructors of NSU served as facilitators of the training-workshop.

The NSU ESO is expected to undertake follow-up activities to link the community with concerned line agencies and other development stakeholders to address their problems. Meanwhile, DOST-8 encouraged the barangay officials to coordinate with DOST Provincial Office for further partnership and preparing proposals for possible project cooperation in relation to areas where science and technology can be used to address the major issues identified by Higatangan Island constituents.