CAPE Team assess Fish Farm in Naval

The DOST 8 Regional CAPE Team and the Samar State University aquaculture experts group conducted assessment of a Fish Farm operated by retired Col. Arcadio Lelis in Brgy San Pablo, Naval, Biliran last March 31, 2009.

The consultancy engagement was in response to the beneficiary's request for technical assistance to assist him in improving the fish pond operation in an initial area of 3 hectares situated at Brgy. San Pablo which is about 5 kilometers from Naval town. "There had been operations in the area in the past but they are at small capacity despite the wide area which has potential for development," the soft-spoken retired Biliran Police Provincial commander said in native tongue.

"If the project would succeed, this vast area will be further developed by other investors," he added.

Col. Lelis informed the experts they have stocked the farm previously with prawn fries of PL21, but they have not recovered anything. On initial testing, the experts found out that the water is highly saline, which maybe one of the reasons for the mortality. The large pond has only one water entrance gate coming from the saltwater side and so a second gate for the fresh water is recommended.

Other results and recommendations from the assessing team will be crafted later and which would serve as guide for the beneficiary.

The consultancy team was led by Dr. Renato Diocton and his assistants: Mr. Raul Celmar, Mr. Danilo Mabonga, and Mr. Fernando De Guzman. Facilitating the activity was Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, Supervising SRS of DOST 8, Ms. Evelyn Tablante DOST-8 CAPE coordinator, Mr. Marcelino Nicer Sr, driver., and the DOST Biliran PSTD Mr Romeo L. Dignos.

Passers of the DOST-SEI 2009-2010 Scholarship Examinations

Congratulations to the following passers from the province of Biliran:

BS Regular RA 7687
1. Basmayor, John David - Higatangan NHS
2. Cabriana, Marchie delos Santos - NSF
3. Cipriano, Song Shin Woong Ill Abad - Tucdao NHS
4. Estrada, Edward Joseph Honrejas - Kawayan NHS
5. Macanip, Divine Saberon - PSHS
6. Olimba, Romelyn Amador - Almeria NHS
7. Sanoy, Richard Baylon - Almeria NHS

BS with Bridging to other school:
1. Rico, Nikko Mercado - Manlabang NHS

Ladderized (Technician)
1. Cale, Rogelen Mae Isidto - Biliran NAHS
2. Garin, Loida Maderazo - Manlabang NHS
3. Najera, Nico Nestor Bacalla - Biliran NAHS
4. Prudenciano, Dianne Calda - Maripipi NVS
5. Rabonza, Roger Jr. Seguios - Biliran NAHS

Merit A
1. Castro, Samuel Clark Thadeus Velasquez - PSHS
2. Ebio, Mark Francis Cotejar - PSHS
3. Sabitsana, Clemens Lee Mocorro - PSHS

For the complete list please follow the LINK

Dr Cordero as CAPE consultant

Dr. Paciente Cordero, retired Executive Director of the National Research Council of Philippines (NRCP 2001-2006) of the DOST, who hails from Burauen, Leyte recently visited Biliran for a consultancy engagement on Seaweeds Production. Dr. Cordero is a known expert in Marine Biology and conducted several studies particularly on the morpho-taxonomy of marine algae, including edible seaweeds of sea vegetables(NAST.gov.ph)


The visit was initiated through the support of the Comprehensive Agricultural Productivity Enhancement (CAPE) Program of the Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI) of DOST. The beneficiary group is the local people of Brgy. Villa Enage in Biliran town of the Province of Biliran headed by Mr. Arvie Buenconsejo, the Brgy. Chairman. The assistance include consultancy service on improving the farmer's propagation practices and to address farming problems to increase the output.

A survey was conducted last March 10, 2009 which showed there are about 16 hectares of coastal area which can be developed for the seaweeds production particularly Eucheuma spp. ("gozo"). Dr. Cordero was assisted by DOST-Biliran PSTD Mr Romeo L. Dignos and staff Engr. Manuel P. Letran, and the DOST-8 regional CAPE team headed by Ms. Evelyn Tablante.


Also with the evaluating group was the team of researchers from Biliran National Agricultural College (BNAC), Biliran, Biliran which is an attached school to the Naval Institute of Technology, headed by Dr. Nicasio Elatico.

After the initial evaluation the expert will provide necessary recommendation which will be adopted by the beneficiary.

(Photo from top to bottom: 1) Dr Cordero with PSTC staff Mr. Dignos (yellow), Engr Letran (blue), Dr. Elatico, & Ms. Tablante standing. 2) The inspection team, 3) The "gozo" production area.)

FNRI trains studes, SME in Biliran

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute conducted two separate technology transfer engagement in Biliran on March 9-10, 2009. The first one was the successful conduct of the Meal Management and Food Safety Training at NIT and second, the technology transfer on the Veggie bread technology with White Rose Bakeshop.

With the Naval Institute of Technology's would be Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Managers, the Meal Management training which ran on March 9-10, 2009 was held at the NIT Gymnasium in cooperation with the HRTM Department in the College of Technology of NIT. About 160 graduating HRTM students joined and benefited from the seminar. FNRI' Ms. PaulaC. Huelar and Ms. Josefina T. Gonzales served as resource persons. Ms. Maya Divinagracia and Ms. Evelyn Tablante served as facilitators during the event.

The students actively participated in the discussions and were highly appreciative of the added knowledge which they found useful as they face their chosen fields after graduation. For others who are going on the job training (OJT), the inputs were an enhancement to the knowledge gained in classrooms since practical experiences are shared during the discussions.

Meanwhile, Ms. Cecilia Quindara and Ms. Dahlia Diaz, conducted the transfer of the veggie bread technologies to the White Rose Bakeshop, still in Naval on March 9, 2009. The exact formulations and actual processing were demonstrated to the workers of the bakeshop. White Rose will be the first bakeshop in Naval that would integrate squash in their bread formulations. Results of the product demonstration show that the new formula would produce a better and more nutritious products than those they used to produce. The FNRI support also provide WR the authority to use the nutritional facts of the products generated by FNRI.

First DOST Visayas Management Conference

The top and middle managers of the DOST Regional Offices Number 6, 7, and 8 gathered in Sugarland Hotel, Bacolod City on March 4-5 in the First Visayas Cluster Management Conference to craft a cohesive plan to address major issues relevant to current DOST programs and policies. This is a step ahead in the DOST Visayas family's dream of "One Visayas connected with waters" guided by the principles that working together builds a strong organization. Shall we say it "1 > 3" or "6 + 7+ 8 = 1."
Among the major issues discussed were the sharing of best practices in the areas of technology transfer, human resource development, and networking. In the course of program implementations, issues and problems were identified and then integrated plans for whole of Visayas was developed. The conference was also made a venue in developing a stronger bond among DOST Visayas personnel through fellowship event during the 1st day.

Among the DOST officials present were Usec. Graciano P. Yumul Jr., Dr. Nuna Almanzor, ITDI Executive Director, Engr. Edgar Garcia of TAPI with Mr Jess Torreda and Rose Olaer, Ms. Ninaliza Escorial of PCIERRD, Dr. Mario Capanzana, Executive Director of FNRI, Ms. Lauren Teena Velasquez of TRC, and a representative from SET-UP NPMO Mr. Ronnel Palileo. The PSTDs from Visayas component provinces and the ARDs and program coordinators from the 3 Regional offices were the major actors in the conference. The presence and able leadership of the 3 Regional Directors, Engr. Rowen Gelonga, Engr. Rene Burt Llanto, and Engr. Edgardo Esperancilla, made the event a very fruitful one.

As the group returned to their respective areas, each one is eyeing for the next round of gatherings to push out the plans that were forged during the event.

Jobs at DOST 8

The Department of Science and Technology, Regional Office No. VIII with office at Candahug, Palo, Leyte announces the opening of the following vacant positions:

1. Senior Science Research Specialist - 1 item vacant, Grade 19, PhP 20,318/mo. Basic Salary, Qualification: BS degree relevant to the job, 2 yrs experience, CSC 2nd level eligibility, Assignment: DOST East Samar.
   
2. Science Research Specialist II - 4 items vacant, Grade 16, PhP 17,059/mo. Basic Salary, Qualification: BS degree relevant to the job, 1 yr experience, CSC 2nd level eligibility, Assignment: 2 DOST Samar, 1 DOST North Samar, 1 DOST Leyte.
3. Administrative Aide - 1 item vacant, Grade 6, PhP 9,204/mo. Basic Salary, Qualification: 2 years in college, 1 yr experience, CSC sub-prof eligibility, Assignment: DOST Regional Office

Interested applicants are advised to submit application letter with pertinent documents(certificates of employment, certification of good moral character, personal data sheet, etc.). Applications should be addressed to:

Engr. Edgardo M. Esperancilla
Regional Director
DOST-8, Palo, Leyte

Deadline for submission of applications is on April 13, 2009. For more details you may contact (053)323-7111, (053)323-6356, and (053)323-6036