Almeria rice farmers strive for Organic Farming

Fifteen (15) rice farmers from Brgy Sampao, Almeria, Biliran benefited the training on natural methods of farming, also known as “Organic Farming” held last June 5-6, 2008. These farmers gladly accepted the technology for, according to them, "it is the right time to adopt the farming methods due to high cost of commercial fertilizers and pesticides."

The activity was part of the consolidated effort of the Almeria LGU and the One Town One Product (OTOP) program to improve rice farming and processing practices of the farmers. The municipality of Almeria identified rice as their OTOP product.

The speakers of the said seminar were experts from Farm and Resource Management Institute (FARMI) of the Visayas State University (VSU), Visca, Baybay, Leyte. Dr. Zosimo dela Rosa discussed about organic farming methods especially in rice through the use of ‘Systems of Rice Intensification’ or SRI, a method of rice farming that does not use inorganic fertilizer (commercial fertilizer) but instead uses compost that can easily be produced by farmers. Another speaker, Mr. Juanito Poliquit, discussed the use of effective microorganism (EM) to return the fertility of land. He stressed that farming methods which uses commercial fertilizers makes the land idle and unproductive because the beneficial microorganism present in the soil are eliminated and killed by the contents of the fertilizers. Aside from EM, he also discussed how to make natural fertilizers through fermentation of fish waste, seaweeds, fruit and plant extracts. A topic on vermi-composting, or the production of organic fertilizer using earthworm as medium in converting farm waste into fertilizer was also demonstrated.

The training was sponsored by Almeria Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) which provided the food for participants and accommodation of speakers, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Biliran) which provided training supplies and materials. The Department of Science and Technology through DOST Biliran PSTC serve as a technology broker by linking the technology source to the participants through the OTOP program. The beneficiaries of the said training, would benefit further consultancy through the DOST’s Comprehensive Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) program which will tap the experts of FARMI to identify areas for further improvement of the farm practices of the Almeria farmers. Proposal for the said consultancies is now on process. (M.P. Letran, SRS II, DOST Biliran PSTC)

MPEX goes to Biliran

The Manufacturing Productivity Extension (MPEX) program of the Department of Science and Technology goes to Biliran with the assistance provided to AR La Naval Motor Parts and General Marketing.The firm, situated at the main commercial center of Naval, the booming capital town of Biliran Province, is planning to expand its metalworking and machining services and sought the assistance of DOST through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP).


Being part of the SET-UP upgrading assistance, the MPEX Team, composed of consultants from the University of San Jose Recolites (USJR) in Cebu, conducted evaluation on the business operations of AR and analyze areas for improvement with focus on the machine shop and motorcycle engine servicing operations.



The team, who visited the firm on June 6, 2008, includes Mr. Dennis Kilonskilong, Engr. Gilbert Nakila, Ms. Nanette Salazar, and Ms. Josie Elli from USJR, Ms. Mae Anne Reyes and Engr. Heber Matuza from DOST-8 and Mr. Romeo L. Dignos from DOST Biliran PSTC. The USJR consultants are expected to submit their findings and recommendations for productivity expansion of AR within a month after the assessment.

AR is optimistic to be able to expand its services, which is currently focused on repairs of motorcycle engines, by boosting its facility for small engine repair such as cylinder block reboring. This he envisions with the innovation support system of DOST's SET-UP program.

(Photos: Mr. Rogelio Cabulang, AR proprietor, during the interview and evaluation of the proposed show lay-out for the expansion project)

DOST joins Biliran anniversary exhibits

Focusing on the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, DOST Biliran PSTC with the full support from DOST Regional Office No. VIII information services with a team headed by Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes and Ms. Lucia Dauz, put up its exhibits in support of the celebration of Biliran Provincehood anniversary last May 8-11, 2008 at the Provincial Capitol Grounds.



Hundreds of visitors flocked into the Agro-Industrial Fair and exhibits that features a lot of activities with focus on Agricultural development and its impact in the Province. DOST on its part showcased its support programs for enterprise productivity improvement including the innovation support system, technology acquisition, consultancy services, packaging improvement, and other technical services intended for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).

About Us

About Us

DOST is the country's premier science and technology (S&T) institution whose regional office (DOST 8) is based at the Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte, Philippines 

The Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Office is one of the six (6) Provincial offices of DOST created under the PSTO Act of 2023 or RA 11914. It was created as a Center initially through Republic Act 6959 on July 31, 1990. It is situated inside the campus of the Biliran Province State University, the sole institution of higher learning in Biliran Province, located in the Municipality of Naval, the provincial capital. 

As the provincial arm of DOST 8, the PSTC formulates plan and implements programs and projects of DOST in the province; provides effective and efficient S&T services to the people; and coordinates with other government agencies and with the local government units in the region on S&T matters. The following are the concurrent officers of DOST Biliran PSTO

Dr. Romeo L. Dignos, Provincial S & T Director

Ms. Maria Catherine G. Maniba, Supervising Science Research Specialist 

Ms. Juliet A. Aguirre, Sr. Science Research Specialist 

Ms. Gracevillalyn R. Saldo, Science Research Specialist II

Ms. Nicka V. Salentes, Science Research Specialist I

Mr. Teddy M. Abenido, Project Assistant I

Ms. Christine May Joy Ragsag, Project Tech Aide I

Mr. Romeo T. Lamoste, Driver/Utility

12 Biliranons qualify the 2007 PSHS Final Screening

Twelve grade six pupils from the Biliran division hurdled successfully the tough screening process of the Philippine Science High School National Competitive Examination for School Year 2007-2008. The passers qualify as PSHS scholars in the coming school year and enjoy the benefits accorded by the program such as free tuition, monthly allowance, and other benefits.

Biliran pupils account for 14% of the total passers from Eastern Visayas during the 2nd Screening conducted last December 15, 2007. Out of the total passers from Biliran Division during the first screening conducted on October 13, 2007, 75% passed the Final screening. Broken down per school, 10 come from Naval SPED Center in Poblacion Naval, Biliran, 1 from Lightbringer Learning Center in Caneja St., Naval, Biliran, and 1 from Kawayan Elementary School in Kawayan, Biliran.

The following are the qualifiers:
1. Ambe, Ennah Marie - Kawayan Elementary School
2. Alba, Maxine Lally - Naval SPED Center
3. Apura, Geshabelle - Naval SPED Center
4. Bornillo, Ian Jade - Naval SPED Center
5. Castro, Jen Camille - Naval SPED Center
6. Dacer, Georgette - Lightbringer Learning Center
7. Dagalea, Bryl Adam - Naval SPED Center
8. Daguil, Mark Andrian - Naval SPED Center
9. Diu, Jean Clare - Naval SPED Center
10. Mendoza, John Bryan - Naval SPED Center
11. Naquila, James Michael - Naval SPED Center
12. Sanchez, Joseph Alwin - Naval SPED Center

Congratulations!!

Earthquake rocks Biliran

At about 6:15 AM on October 28, 2007 a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was felt in the capital town of Naval in Biliran Province waking the still sleeping residents and caused panic to those who were already awake.
Minor to alarming cracks were noticed in several large buildings of the town. Cracks on the walls of the PSTC Biliran office, which is located at the 1st floor of the Engineering Building of Naval Institute of Technology in Naval, Biliran, are shown in the attached photo.

Report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs) of DOST officially showed that the quake was of tectonic origin which occurred 11.53ºN,124.41ºE - 04 km. S34° E of NAVAL (BILIRAN ISLAND).

More details can be found at PhiVolcs official report. You may click the link Official Eartquake report