No immediate radiation threat on PAR - PAGASA

PRESS RELEASE (March 14, 2011,6:00PM)

The Department of Science and Technology, thru PAGASA and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), is thoroughly monitoring the situation of the nuclear power plants in northern Japan in relation to the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami events.

The DOST-PAGASA has done several numerical simulations. The numerical model outputs predict the motion of air which may transport radiation from the Japanese nuclear power plant in the event of a nuclear fallout. The computed trajectories of air parcel for the next three days showed that radiation from the nuclear power plant will not affect any part of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The trajectories as computed at different levels of the atmosphere show that the movements of air parcels are all towards the east of the country going to the Philippine Sea. Similarly, air parcels from the Japanese nuclear power plant are also predicted to move eastward of Japan going to the Pacific Ocean. The levels of the atmosphere where the trajectories are computed are specifically at 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 11 km above the surface. Furthermore, the prevailing winds during this month up to early to mid-May at all levels of the atmosphere over Japan and the Philippines are moving towards the northeast and east. This means that wind trajectories are going towards the Pacific Ocean side.

There is nothing to worry about any immediate effect of radiation in the Philippines at the moment. The DOST-PAGASA, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, will continue monitoring our air system and immediately inform the general public if there is an abrupt change in weather pattern over the region. Should you have any question, please call our DOST-PAGASA Weather Branch (9264258) for clarifications.

About false information on radiation from Japan

The text message circulated today about a radiation contamination reaching the Philippines is a hoax. Please visit the following links for more information:

DOST ADVISES THE PUBLIC NOT TO BELIEVE IN HOAX MESSAGES

No increase in radiation level DOST-PNRI assures public

New equipment for SETUP beneficiaries inspected

The DOST 8 Inspection committee conducting the inspection of the newly acquired tools and equipment for  two SETUP beneficiaries in Biliran Province

The DOST Inspection committee inspected on March 1, 2011 the newly acquired tools and equipment for two projects in Biliran. These equipment are part of the assistance provided by the SETUP to MSMEs to improve their productivity. The two firms include: The Caril Furniture in Naval, Biliran and ELSHIRGLOW Food Products from Brgy. Bariis, Caibiran, Biliran.

The team is headed by Engr. John Glenn Ocana of PSTC Leyte. Members of the committee who joined the inspection include: Mr. Manny Lagdamen, Ms. Beverly Chu, Engr. Ma. Catherine Gonda, Engr. Lorenzo Moron, Engr. Joseph Albert Lledo, and Mr. Prospero Peque.

The inspection is part of the standard process employed by SETUP to make sure equipment acquired are based on the approved requirements of the firm.

DOST launches OL trap for dengue mosquito

From left: Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, DOST-ITDI Director Nuna Almanzor, DOH Secretary Enrique Ona, DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, Leyte Governor Jericho Petilla, DOH Undersecretary David Joaquin Lozada, and DOST Undersecretary Carol Yorobe. (Photo by Joy M. Lazcano from: www.stii.dost.gov.ph)

Read full story at STII

Biliran studes qualify the 2011 PSHS NCE

Two students from Biliran Province passed the 2011 Philippine Science High School National Competitive Examination conducted last November 6, 2010. The students were Roxanne Blanca Juarez and Angelica Marie Banquilay Rostata both from Naval SPED Center, Naval, Biliran.

The official result was sent by Philippine Science High School, Diliman to the DOST PSTC Biliran with the communication dated January 31, 2011. The document included a total of 93 PSHS passers for 2010 for Region VIII. Biliran has a total of about 80 applicants for the PSHS qualifying exam held at Naval State University last November 2010. Total National passing percentage is about 6% or 1,114 examinees out of 20,233 applicants.

Both of the passers qualify to enroll in the PSHS Eastern Visayas campus located at Government Center, Palo, Leyte. The PSHS Management advised the passers to coordinate immediately with the Registrar of the campus they qualify.

DOST assisted papaya pickles product

A group of papaya producers in Culaba town Province of Biliran will soon be producing this papaya pickles through funding support from DOST 8.

Papaya is the town's identified product under the OTOP program. DOST's support include the acquisition of necessary equipment and utensils for the Community based project that would support the processing needs of the Culaba Papaya Producers Association. The Common Service Facility will be managed by the Municipal Agricultural Office through Mrs. Estefania T. Loyola, the Mun. Agriculturist.

Earlier in January 2011, the DOST 8 released PhP 214,000.00 funding assistance to the Local Government Unit of Culaba to finance the equipment component and packaging development for papaya pickles production. The facility will be housed in a newly renovated processing area within the LGU compound. Hon. Enrico Uyvico, Culaba's Chief Executive is optimistic this assistance will be able to come up with better product out of the local raw materials available in the area.

The immediate beneficiaries of the project are the papaya growers/farmers, processors and SME’s in the municipality of Culaba. At present, there are 311 papaya farmers/growers in the municipality covering 10 hectares of land area. This constitutes 3.21% of the total agricultural land area of the municipality. The estimated monthly output is 3,504 kgs. Fifty percent (50%) of the total monthly output will be processed into pickles, jams and dried papaya.