DOST 8 Biliran PSTC brings S&T to Maripipi Island

The DOST PSTC Biliran Team poses with Maripipi Mayor Caingcoy 
and the participants of the Forum

The Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII successfully conducted various Science and Technology-based promotion and extension activities in the geographically challenged island municipality of Maripipi. The activities were fully supported by the LGU of Maripipi through Hon. Joseph Caingcoy, who actively graced the activities by his presence and support. Likewise, the Department of Trade and Industry Biliran Provincial Office assisted the DOST through the Negosyo Center Facility and personnel. 

Maripipi town is one of the 8 component municipalities of the Province of Biliran and the only municipality in a separate island. It is the mother town of the popular tourist destination, Sambawan Island, which is another beautiful islet in the various islands comprising the Province of Biliran. 

DOST-8 helps PRLEC Community in Naval, Biliran

In support of the Organic Vegetable production of the Cabungaan Farmer's Association, Naval, Biliran, a priority community under the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster (PRLEC) of the NTF-ELCAC, the DOST Biliran conducted on October 22, 2021, a technology demonstration on the operation and use of the shredder for organic fertilizer production. Three operators from the association were trained on how to run the machine. 

The CFA requested DOST-8 for the said equipment to enhance their capability to produce organic fertilizer from vermicast. Biomass farm wastes need to be shredded to enhance their decomposition. The equipment used was initially used as a demo unit pending the approval of the DOST-8 Regional Technical Evaluation Committee (RTEC) and the Regional Director, Engr Ernesto M Granada, for its donation. Once approved, the said machine will be given to the association as long as they need them. 

𝗗𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗟𝗚𝗨-𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀

The PSTC Biliran responded to the request of LGU-Naval, through the Livelihood and Training Center for assistance to community on the production of mushroom using mushroom-in-bags technology. The office conducted assessment of the community needs and consider it for possible assistance under CEST (Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology https://cest.ph/) under the areas of Human Resource Development, Enterprise Development, and Nutrition and Food Sufficiency. 

Mushroom production had been one of the approaches to providing alternative and healthier source of protein as substitute to meat for the health conscious. Aside from being a meat alternative, mushrooms make a good ingredient for many meat-based recipes and formulations. 

DOST-8, BIPSU Energy Audit Team Assists Mini Hydro Project in Biliran

DOST-8 through the Biliran PSTC deployed the Energy Audit Team of Biliran Province State University headed by Engr. Bryan Bernil and Engr. Neil Sereño on Sept 16, 2021 to address some problems in the operation of the only micro hydropower system that exist in Biliran Province used by the Cabadiangan Cold Spring Resort in Naval, Biliran. 

Cabadiangan Cold Spring Resort utilizes hydroelectric power for its lighting needs and in the production of tube ice needed by its customers. For more than a year, the resort owners Mr. and Mrs. Vicente Curso, had been using this micro power generation system with the capacity of 5KW. However, the owner has experienced recently unstable power generation. The resort noticed low voltage output even if the water flow is very stable. This resorted them to use the power supplied by the local Electric Cooperative which is more costly instead of using the hydropower system which is a renewable energy source and is free for their use. 

DOST 8 approves PhP 2.1 M assistance to 5 MSMEs in Biliran

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII approved recently a total amount of PhP 2.1 M financial assistance to upgrade the facilities of 5 firms in the Province of Biliran under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The proponents have signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the projects. 

The fund will be used to acquire improved technologies and procure technology related equipment to boost the productivity of these firms. The five firms located in different municipalities of the Island Province of Biliran include the following: 

1) Lloyd’s Meat Shop, Almeria, Biliran for the Upgrading of its meat processing facility with the adoption of high fiber sausage technology and acquisition of GMP compliant meat processing equipment as well as improvement of their packaging; 

DOST-8 supports Agricultural Productivity projects in Biliran Province

With the end view of helping local farmers improve their productivity, the DOST Biliran PSTC joined hands with several Local Government Units and the Biliran Province State University to undertake several science and technology-based interventions. 

The BiPSU together with Mun. Agricultural Office of the LGU-Almeria, Biliran assisted DOST Biliran by fielding their consultants which are accredited by DOST’s Consultancy on Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) Consultancy Program to assist two farmer groups from Biliran, Province. The consultants are: Mr. Brian Sinagote, the MAO of Almeria and expert in Agricultural Production and on Landscaping and Dr. Ramelito Petilos, expert in Agricultural and Livestock Production and a licensed Veterinarian.