The Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center, true to its mandate of delivering S & T services in the countryside as a linking arm of the DOST to its clients has contributed notable accomplishments for CY 2008. Priority projects and activities were centered on technology transfer and commercialization and support services including provision of technology information, equipment acquisition, and consultancy. These things were carried out by a lean PSTC organization, with two (2) regular staff and one (1) job order personnel, through proper networking of several partners and stakeholders in the area.
With very limited resources, the Center were able to submit several projects which were consequently approved and funded by the SET-UP NPMO for technology acquisition support. A total of six (6) projects were approved for CY 2008 for Biliran amounting to about PhP 2.3 M.
Innovation Systems SupportSET-UP Core Funded ProjectsThe Biliran PSTC facilitated the approval of the following project for core funding under the SET-UP technology acquisition support for CY 2008:
1. Upgrading of Metal Working Facility of the AR La Naval Motor Parts and General Marketing, Naval, Biliran. The project includes acquisition of equipment for production of rebored cylinder heads for motorcycle and small engines. With MIRDC as partner other services include consultancy for process and productivity improvements. Total approved amount is PhP 995,000.00
SET UP also approved a project on Fish Processing which was later on split into two due to some intervening events:
2. The Bangus Processing project of Biliran Agri-Center involves the acquisition of equipment used in the preservation and storage of smoked bangus. The project is also located in Naval, Biliran with a total project cost of PhP 44,400.00
3. The second of the fish processing project is the Fish Processing Demonstration project in Cabucgayan, Biliran managed and operated by the Local Government Unit. The project involves the demonstration on the use of Smoke House and Mechanical Dryer for the production of quality smoked and dried fish. The project costs PhP 750,000.00.
4. Jornales Bakeshop of Biliran, Biliran a new firm established through DOST support, has its project on Cake Production approved in the amount of PhP 70,000.00. The project involves the acquisition of equipment for cake production such as heavy duty mixer and baking utensils.
5. Caril Furniture of Naval, Biliran. is another project approved in principle in the amount of PhP 70,000.00 but release of funds were delayed due to non-submission of some additional document needed.
6. Innovation Support for Vegetable based Noodles Production of WR Bakeshop, Naval, Biliran amounting to PhP 413,000.00 were also approved in 2008. The project would involve acquisition of equipment for noodles production using FNRI developed technology.
Technology Transfer and CommercializationBased on key performance indicators, the Center was able to provide 26 technology interventions to 15 existing, and 2 new SMEs, province wide. DOST assisted projects generated gross sales of PhP 1.45 M and 155 man-months employments. The firms assisted made an average of 72% improvement in their productivity based on their initial capacity before DOST assistance.
Projects that contributed to these economic data include: the citronella oil extraction project of the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines in Biliran, Biliran, meat processing of Carding Meat Store in Naval, Biliran, coco-coir based handicrafts production by the Biliran Integrated Coco-Industries in Naval, and AJ Handicrafts metal-fiber based production.
Under the consultancy services to help improve productivity of MSMEs, 3 firms were assisted under MPEX and 1 under CAPE. A total of 30 other consultancy engagements were also conducted for the year benefiting a total of 127 clients, served by 36 local experts. In addition 35 experts under the STEVPP were able to serve the technical needs of 50 clients.
In coordination with line agencies like TESDA, DTI, DOLE, NIT, the FTTC of TESDA-CNSAT, a DOST assisted training facility, and other agencies, the PSTC was able to conduct 15 technology trainings involving 32 firms with a total of 252 participants.
In the process of promoting DOST technologies, the Center was able to conduct 2 technology fora participated by 16 firms and attended by 60 individuals from around the province.
Under the DATBED Program, a total of 8 student beneficiaries from 1 school were able to experience hands-on entrepreneurial activities through SET-UP funds.
(Photos (from top to buttom): The fish dryer in Cabucgayan, BICI coco-coir processing plant, BEOMP citronella processing plant, Carding Meat Store processing facility, sample squash based products, AWA soap packaging training)
The Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center office has moved to a new location within the NIT Campus. Starting February 2009, we are situated at the 1st Floor of NIT Gymnasium.
Among the projects visited was the Fish Processing Demonstration Project in Bunga, Cabucgayan, Biliran operated by the Municipal LGU of Cabucgayan. The facility uses the mechanical dryer and smoke house designed by ITDI through Engr. Valdecañas and his team. The dryer was tested during the visit which was attended by the Sangguniang Bayan of Cabucgayan headed by Vice Mayor Gemma Garcia Adobo. The facility is expected to serve the fisher folks of Cabucgayan in producing high quality dried fish by providing a clean facility for drying.
Manufacturing Philippines, a facility producing citronella oil. The factory uses a SET-UP funded extraction equipment designed by Engr. Jesus Villamil with technical support from ITDI, again through Engr. Valdecañas. The facility is currently running in full operation and apparently providing income both to the owners and those laborers hired in the citronella farm and the processing plant.
The team provided recommendations to the cooperators of the respective project in improving their operations to attain the required out which revolves around employment and income generation.
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Another year has passed and the One Town One Product (OTOP) Program of the government spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry and actively co-implemented by other line agencies including the Department of Science and Technology is still lively pursuing its mandate of generating employment and investment in the countryside.
3. The second of the fish processing project is the Fish Processing Demonstration project in Cabucgayan, Biliran managed and operated by the Local Government Unit. The project involves the demonstration on the use of Smoke House and Mechanical Dryer for the production of quality smoked and dried fish. The project costs PhP 750,000.00.
Projects that contributed to these economic data include: the citronella oil extraction project of the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines in Biliran, Biliran, meat processing of Carding Meat Store in Naval, Biliran, coco-coir based handicrafts production by the Biliran Integrated Coco-Industries in Naval, and AJ Handicrafts metal-fiber based production.
In coordination with line agencies like TESDA, DTI, DOLE, NIT, the FTTC of TESDA-CNSAT, a DOST assisted training facility, and other agencies, the PSTC was able to conduct 15 technology trainings involving 32 firms with a total of 252 participants.
Leading the pack of the S & T enthusiasts from the whole country who joined the opening ceremony was no other than Honorable Secretary Estrella F. Alabastro of DOST, and the equally vibrant Assistant Secretary Carol M. Yorobe, and Dr. Carlos Tomboc, Executive Director of the Philippine Textile Research Institute who likewise is the Officer-in-Charge of the Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI), the events primary sponsor.
The events were jointly organized by the Leyte Science and Technology Foundation, Inc. (LSTFI), the Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI-DOST), the Science Education Institute (SEI-DOST), and DOST-8. The major sponsors of the activities were the City of Tacloban through Honorable Mayor Alfred Romualdez, the LGU Province of Leyte through Honorable Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, and the Congressional Office of First District of Leyte through Congressman Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.