DOST approves ASEMCO charcoal project

The Department of Science and Technology has finally approved the establishment of a charcoal briquette production center in Almeria, Biliran to be operated by the Almeria Seafarers Multi-purpose Cooperative (ASEMCO).

The project, which also aims to reduce the bulk of organic waste and convert them into fuel materials in a form of charcoal, will provide ASEMCO some support funds for the acquisition of necessary equipment for charcoal briquette production.

The realization of the project came amid the growing concerns of the local government units in addressing solid waste problems. ASEMCO as a strong cooperative in the municipality of Almeria searched for means to help but at the same time benefit its members. The idea on utilizing the abandoned bio-mass waste for charcoal briquetting came after knowing that such technology is available with the DOST and the DENR. The concept has a twofold benefit and therefore suits the need of the cooperative.

Almeria, a partially urban 5th class municipality in Biliran Province has approximately 700 households within the Poblacion and nearby barangays (per NSO, 2000 census) that contribute to the bulk of the municipal waste. If these households produce an estimated average biomass waste of 1kg per household per day (practical estimates only since no actual data is available) such bulk could be the input to the charcoal plant with a capacity of 700 kg per day. LGU will then be more focused in addressing the other non-biodegradable wastes.

ASEMCO will put up the infrastructure while DOST 8 through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) assist in acquiring the technology from DOST-FPRDI and DENR ERDB both in Los Banos, Laguna.

Photo: ASEMCO officials during their plant visit in one charcoal briquetting project in Cavite

Dr. Mario Montejo is new DOST Secretary

President elect Benigno Simeon C. Aquino named today Dr. Mario Montejo as the new Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology, when his cabinet will officially begin on Thursday, July 1, 2010.

Also named for the Aquino cabinet are the following

* Budget and Management -- Butch Abad
* National Economic and Development Authority -- Cayetano Paderanga
* Agriculture -- Proceso Alcala
* Environment -- Ramon Paje
* Transportation and Communication -- Ping De Jesus
* Labor -- Rosalinda Valmos
* Health -- Dr. Enrique Ona
* Tourism -- Alberto "Bertie" Lim
* Trade -- Greg Domingo
* Social Welfare -- Dinky Soliman
* Energy -- Jose Rene Almendras
* Public Works -- Rogelio Singson
* Agrarian Reform -- Virgilio Delos Reyes
* Presidential Peace Adviser -- Teresita Deles
* Presidential Management Staff -- Julia Abad
* Presidential Legal Counsel -- Edwardo de Mesa
* Commission on Higher Education -- Patricia Liguanan
* Internal Revenue -- Kim Jacinto-Henares

Team SETUP undergoes P & Q enhancement

Twenty eight (28) delegates from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao joined the second batch of the Training Course on Enhancing Competencies of Team SETUP through Productivity and Quality which runs from June 14 to 25, 2010 at Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City.

(photo shows the delegates with Mr. Ben Dy, the speaker during Day 1 lectures)

Master’s and Doctorate (MS & PhD) degree Scholarships

The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VIII announces the availability of scholarships for Master’s and Doctorate (MS & PhD) degrees in priority S&T areas under the Accelerated Science & Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP).

Interested students/graduates who wish to pursue higher education in science and engineering may apply for this scholarship starting the First Semeter of AY2010-2011. The priority fields of study are:

• Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources
• Information and Communication Technology
• Biology
• Materials Science and Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Mathematics
• Chemistry
• Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Earth and Space Science
• Microelectronics
• Environment
• Physics
• Fisheries and Marine Science

Application forms and information brochures can be downloaded at http://www.sei.dost.gov.ph or may call or visit the following DOST Provincial S&T Centers (PSTCs) nearest to your municipality:

• Engr. John Glenn G. Ocaña, Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Leyte
Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte
(053) 323-5252

• Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Biliran
NSU Campus, Naval, Biliran
(053) 500-9347

• Engr. Dominador A. Clavejo, Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Southern Leyte
Capitol Site, Maasin City
(053) 381-3990

• Engr. Rosella L. Gopo, Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Samar
SSU Compound, Catbalogan, Samar
(055)261-2664

• Mr. Arnaldo T. Amosco, Jr., Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Eastern Samar
ESSU Compound, Borongan, Eastern Samar
(055) 261-2664

• Engr. Veronica A. Laguitan, Provincial S&T Director, PSTC-Northern Samar
UEP Compound, Catarman, Northern Samar
(055) 251-8178

Deadline for submission of accomplished application forms and other documentary requirements will be on 30 April 2010.

For details and inquiries, please visit the DOST Regional Office VIII located at the Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte or you may call us at telephone (053)323-7111, look for Engr. Florentino L. Quiñones, Jr. or Ms. Ma. Divina Gracia L. Advincula.

DOST VIII passes ISO 9001:2008 1st Surveillance Audit

Maintaining a quality management system that is Internationally recognized is not an easy task. But DOST VIII hurdled the 1st surveillance audit conducted by Certification International Philippines, Inc last April 19, 2010.

With the astringent requirements of the ISO 9001:2008, the DOST VIII was able to satisfy the need to maintain, sustain and continually improve its management system for a better service to its clients.

After a thorough audit by the lone auditor yet very diligent man, a veteran in the ISO auditing task, Mr. Rodolfo C. Viola Jr. the DOST was able to close the minor non-conformity and observations issued during Stage II Audit by CIPI in September 2009. Mr. Viola also suggested some areas for improvement to further enhance the effectiveness of the DOST VIII QMS.

The closing meeting was also made a venue for the long delayed official awarding of the Certificate of Registration to the DOST VIII and the 6 PSTC which are part of the ISO Certification.

Secretary Alabastro visits Biliran SETUP projects

The second leg of the Eastern Visayas project visits of DOST Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro took off in the island province of Biliran on March 26, 2010

With quite a number of DOST officials and media people joining the tour, Dr. Alabastro made her first stop at the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines in Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran.

BEOMP is known to be the largest producer of citronella oil in Region VIII or maybe the entire Visayas if not the whole country. Citronella oil is extracted at a rate of up to 1% from the matured leaves of citronella grass through steam distillation process using distilling still that can accommodate 600-1000 kg of grass per batch of 8 hours. The company owns two units of distillers, one of which is acquired through DOST's Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

From BEOMP, the entourage proceeded to AR La Naval Motor Parts and General Marketing's metal fabrication facility in Naval, Biliran. This newly established project is into the production of minor parts for small engines including bushings, bolts, nuts, small gears, cylinder head re-bores and sleeving, and similar machining services. SETUP provided funds for the company's acquisition of major equipment.

Out of the visits, the Secretary observed firsthand how DOST's interventions through technology transfer and consultancy services was able to create employment, improved product quality, and increase production volume for the company. All these were made possible through the coordinated efforts of the ITDI, MIRDC, PCARRD, TAPI, the LGU, and DOST VIII.