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. 

DOST Region VIII CEST empowering communities in Biliran Province

Governor Rogelio Espina and Direct Ernesto Granada during turn-over
of financial assistance

July 12, 2021. Naval, Biliran.  The hardworking Regional Director of DOST-8, Engr. Ernesto M. Granada personally visited Biliran Province today to meet the equally hardworking Governor of Biliran Province Hon Rogelio J. Espina to jointly hand down funding assistance to two economically challenged communities in the Province under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST). 

The turn-over ceremonies are witnessed by the faculty and staff of BiPSU Main campus and BiPSU Biliran campus together with the barangay Chairpersons from Higatangan, representative of LGU-Naval, the PIA Biliran, and the beneficiary groups’ representatives. Governor Espina was appreciative of how DOST was able to support the governments’ trust of helping the people most in need of assistance and lauded the efforts of DOST-8 management through DOST-Biliran PSTC to involve the LGU in planning and project implementation. Hon. Espina further stressed, he is very willing to support endeavors of the national agencies if needed. 

Micro-enterpreneur uses innovation to pump prime his business

Being a micro-enterprise does not prevent one from being innovative and use technology to drive its business to success.

Mr. Ramsey Rom inspects the mixer

Lersey Hardware and Construction Supply, in Inasuyan, Kawayan, Biliran has proven that even a micro business producing concrete hollow blocks can adopt technology to pump prime its business operation. Mr. Ramsey Rom, proprietor of LHCS has currently doubled its output with the adoption of mechanized mixer and molder for the production  of 4 inches and 6 inches concrete hollow blocks (CHB). On top of this, Mr. Rom adopted a material formulation for hollow blocks production that is proven by research to increase the strength of the finished product. 

Mr. Rom declared that he started producing concrete hollow blocks by purely manual process using just a single CHB molder and a pair of shovels obtained from his friend. With the help of the Department of Science and Technology Region 8 through the Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program, LHCS acquired a 1-bagger mixer powered by 5hp motor and 2 semi-mechanized molders one each for 4" CHB and 6" CHB. With this improvement the firm can produce at least 8,000 pcs of CHB a month from just about 4,000 pcs with manual mixing and molding. 

Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina Supports Science & Technology Based project for environmental management of Higatangan Island

Hon. Governor Rogelio Espina with
Dr. Dignos DOST-Biliran PD

The Honorable Governor, Doctor Rogelio J. Espina of Biliran signed today the Memorandum of Agreement between the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 8 and the Biliran Province State University for the implementation of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology project in the tourist island of Higatangan.

Governor Espina, enthusiastically expressed his full support to the project which has three components that would benefit not only the Higatangan Island constituents but also every tourist who will visit the beautiful island.  

The first component is the "Adoption of Eco-Sep Technology for Waste Treatment in Two (2) Selected Tourist Sites in Higatangan Island. This component will put up a communal CR to be used by tourists. This facility will be equipped with the eco-friendly septic tank that will use vigormin, a nature friendly formula to treat the wastewater from comfort rooms before it will be discharged to the ground or used to water ornaments and other plants. The Barangay LGUs will be tapped to identify appropriate location for the CRs one for each barangay. The said project will showcase the Eco-Sep Technology developed by Adamson University and will serve as model to be followed by local tourism facility operators of the island. The project will ultimately lessen or eliminate the problem of waste water contamination of the beaches in this tourism haven.

Culaba's traditional bread a heritage made possible thru grassroots innovation

Have you tasted the most delicious bread from Culaba, Biliran?

Well. despite, the rise of many state of the art bakeries in the urban areas, a traditional bread remained  sought after by residents in the town of Culaba, Biliran. The bread is produced by a family in the rural community of  Brgy Bool East, Culaba, Biliran.

One could be challenged by the claims of many who tasted the bread as the "pinakamasarap na tinapay."

Responding to the request of Dr. Faustito Aure, of the Eastern Visayas State University in Tacloban City who happened to have a close encounter with the traditional bread maker, to assess the product for possible DOST assistance, the DOST Biliran PSTC staff in coordination with the Culaba Municipal Planning and Development Office through Engr. Albert Fiel its MPDO, went to where the bread is. 

The DOST-Biliran team went there to discover the truth and find scientific and technological basis why such a claim. The team found out that the bread's popularity even spread beyond the borders of Culaba to the nearby towns of Kawayan and reached even Naval, the capital of Biliran Province. But the most solid evidence of the breads unique taste, as claimed, is the technology used by its makers.