DOST 8 Launched STARBOOKS in Biliran

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Ms. Maria Catherine G. Maniba, OIC-PSTD, welcoming all the
 participants of the STARBOOKS launching in NSU, Naval, Biliran

STARBOOKS or Science & Technology Academic and Research Based Openly Operated Kiosk Systems is the talk of the town.

Do you ever wonder what it is? Well, it's a digital library or in a layman's term a collection of books in a computer. This project is a compendium of S&T information gathered from all over the world and is a standalone information kiosk, which makes information access possible even without internet connection.

What is exciting is that, STARBOOOKS is now in several pilot schools in Biliran Division after it was launched last April 26, 2016 at the Audio Visual Room of Naval State University (NSU), Naval, Biliran.

The said launching was attended by the School Heads, Librarians and School ITs from the six (6) identified secondary schools and SUCs from the province namely: Tucdao NHS, Manlabang NHS, Naval NHS, Biliran National Agricultural HS, NSU- Main Campus, and NSU-Biliran Campus. These schools were strategically identified to provide the biggest impact in achieving the programs objectives.

DOST 8 Food Safety Team helps protect human health

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Mrs. Donata Victorioso, owner of Ayang’s Mini Bakeshop in Kawayan, Biliran
being interviewed by the DOST8 Food Safety Team during the firm visit last
February 11, 2016.

Food is the most basic of the human needs, and consumption of safe sustenance is the primary concern of health conscious consumers. According to World Health Organization (WHO) the process by which foodstuffs gets from the farm to the plate has changed drastically over the past half century that safe food handling must be highly observed. Unsafe food poses health threats endangering everyone particularly vulnerable population such as infants, young children, pregnant women, and elderly among others.

Thus, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) established the Food Safety Program to promote the adoption of safe food handling practices among food processors, especially DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) adaptors, and other stakeholders of the processed food industry.

As part of the implementation of this program, the DOST 8 Food Safety Team, a group of experts in line with food safety, assisted by DOST-Biliran Provincial S&T Center staff conducted assessments of the food safety practices of three (3) SETUP-assisted firms namely: Mark Sahn’s Bakeshop, Symonn’s Bakeshop and Ayang’s Mini Bakeshop on February 11-12, 2016 in Biliran Province.

Mr. Arthur Cerera, owner of Mark Sahn’s Bakeshop
in Biliran, Biliran, being interviewed by Ms. Rosella L.
Gopo, DOST 8 Food Safety Team member, during the
firm visit last February 11, 2016.

Mark Sahn’s Bakeshop, a single proprietorship business from Biliran, Biliran, availed assistance from SETUP for acquisition of related equipment for the improvement of its bakery in 2014. Likewise, Symmon’s Bakeshop, a family enterprise from Naval, Biliran was granted P2, 000,000.00 financial assistance in 2015 for the adoption of vegetable based bread production technology. Ayang’s Mini Bakeshop, in the other hand, which is a family owned business from Kawayan, Biliran also received a financial assistance amounting to P200, 000.00 for improvement of its facility. 

The consultancy on Food Safety forms part of the package of assistance provided by DOST to its SETUP clients specifically for those firms belonging to the food sector. The three firms produce bread products that form part of Filipinos regular breakfast meal and even during snack treats. It must be ensured that the firms practice standard good manufacturing procedures so that their outputs are safe for consumption.

Mrs. Isabelita M. Pamposa, DOST 8 Food Safety member,
conducting an interview with one of the employees of
Symonn’s Bakeshop in Naval, Biliran last February 11, 2016

The Food Safety Team is expected to come up with recommendations to improve the efficiency in food handling and compliance of the firms with the FDA food safety standard. Follow up visits are expected in later dates to discuss their recommendation and ultimately implement the needed change (Juliet Aguirre, AA3, DOST-Biliran.)

EVSU Experts conduct CPT & EA Consultancies to Biliran SETUP beneficiaries

Through the coordination of the Provincial S&T Center- Biliran, the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) Consultancy teams,   in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 8 (DOST RO8),   Cleaner Production Technology (CPT) assessment and Energy Audit  (EA) were conducted to RG Herbal Oil Repacking & Marketing from Cabucgayan, Biliran and Know Well Office Systems in Naval, Biliran, respectively. The visit was conducted last January 15, 2016 to the 2 firms who are recipients of the DOST Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

RG Herbal Oil Repacking & Marketing, is a single proprietorship business and is a sole producer of herbal oil in the Province of Biliran. In the year 2012, an amount of PhP 413, 530.00 was released to the proprietor by DOST SETUP as financial assistance for the purchasing of equipment needed to upgrade his product. CPT consultants conducted direct observations on the method used in herbal extraction and formulation and the processes  done to maintain the product stability and storability. The  experts will come up with recommendations to improve further the firms processes using cleaner production approaches.

Meanwhile, Know Well Office Systems, is a single proprietorship business focusing on printing of labels for food and non-food products and also produce paper based commercial ads. The proprietor received the amount of PhP 398, 000.00 from SETUP for the upgrading of his services and products. However, it was noted that with the increasing number of equipment maintained by the proprietor there was also an increasing energy usage. Because of this EA was introduced.

It is expected that based on the assessment conducted by the experts from EVSU and DOST and upon the implementation of the suggestions/inputs to be provided, there will be improvements in the enterprises' efficiency and productivity.

3 Biliran studes qualify PSHS Scholarship

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Three pupils from Biliran Division passed the Philippine Science High School National Competitive Examinations (PSHS-NCE) held last October 2015. They are:

• CASAS, KRISTEN CASIL
• DUEÑAS, JOLLYMAE JUANES
• SABORNIDO, CYRILLE CATOR

In a press release published by PSHS in their official website, Hon. MARIO G. MONTEJO, Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology and Chair of the PSHS System Board of Trustees, announces the names of the successful qualifiers to the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) Search for Scholars for 2016.

Of the 22,791 applicants, 1,355 examinees successfully hurdled the one-step screening administered on October 2015. The qualifiers have to IMMEDIATELY contact the Registrar or the Campus Director of the PSHS Campus where they are qualified to enroll, or visit the following websites: www.pshs.edu.ph or www.dost.gov.ph, for more information on early enrolment. Deadline for slot confirmation / reservation of principal qualifiers is on January 29, 2016. Specific schedule of other enrolment activities shall be announced by the respective campuses.

For complete list of passer please follow this LINK

2015 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits sets off

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The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VIII (DOST8) in partnership with Technology Application and Promotions Institute (TAPI-DOST) and the Eastern Visayas Consortium for Industry and Energy Research and Development (EVCIERD) is pleased to announce the holding of the 3rd Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) for 2015 on November 25-27, 2015 at the Robinson's Tacloban Activity Center, Annex Building, Robinson's Place, Marasbaras, Tacloban City. This is one of DOST's contribution to support the Republic Act 10055 popularly known as Technology Transfer Act of 2010 and R.A. 7459, a.k.a, "Ïnventors and Invention Incentives Act of the Philippines".

This year's theme of RICE, "Philippines: A Science Nation Innovating and Inventing for Global Competitiveness" will serve as pre-screening/selection contest where regional winners of each category will vie for the National Invention Contest and Exhibits (NICE). The holding of the national contest is scheduled every other July of the year coinciding the celebration of the National Science and Technology Week for 2016. The following are the contest six (6) categories:

Invention Category (Tuklas Award)

Utility Model Category

Industrial Design Category

Creative Research Category (Likha Award)

Student Creative Research for College Category (Sibol Award)

Student Creative Research for High School Category (Sibol Award)

The contest is open to all researchers, inventors, faculty, students and any interested individuals to submit their entries to DOST Regional Office VIII with address at the Government Center, Candahug, Palo, Leyte or any DOST Provincial Offices (Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, Samar, Eastern Samar & Northern Samar).

For more information please do not hesitate to call DOST8 at (053) 323-7110 or 832-4139 and look for Engrs. Ramil T. Uy or Florentino L. Quiñones, Jr.,

DOST conducted livelihood training for ASEMCO

This photo was taken during the Closing Ceremony of training

DOST through its Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center recently conducted a livelihood training on Meat and Fish Processing Technology for the employees, members and valued clients of Almeria Seafarers Multipurpose Cooperative (ASEMCO). The three-day activity was held on November 9-11, 2015 at ASEMCO Compound, Del Bano St., Poblacion, Almeria, Biliran. The training was aimed to enhance the skills of the participants in meat and fish processing and to introduce another possible source of income for small entrepreneurs.

ASEMCO, aside from being a lending institution, is one of the active beneficiaries of DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) for their meat processing project. It is their second time to avail of SETUP after successfully completing a charcoal briquetting project in 2014. Last April 2015, they received a financial assistance in the amount of Php 370,000.00 for the acquisition of additional meat processing equipment for the project “Upgrading of Meat Processing Facility”.

The livelihood training covered six different topics which include Tocino Processing, Beef Tapa Processing, Fresh Native Longanisa Processing, Skinless Longanisa Processing, Deboned Bangus and Rellenong Bangus. Expert from DOST-Leyte in the person of Ms. Imelda S. Picorro, served as the resource speaker of the event who demonstrated the safe and proper way of meat and fish processing. The training started with a lecture discussing about the recipes and ingredients, techniques, and the dos and don’ts in the production. Then it was followed by hands-on-demonstration with the use of the equipment acquired through DOST-SETUP fund. 

Meat Preparation and Curing

Packaging of  Product Samples

ASEMCO, spearheaded by its General Manager Ms Anita S. Corto, enthusiastically showed their cooperation as partner with DOST in facilitating the three-day activity. They cater venue for functions and meetings in which Hostel and Function Hall is among the many allied services provided by the cooperative.

The activity ended with a message from the OIC of DOST-Biliran, Engr. Maria Catherine G. Maniba, who thanked everyone for spending their valuable time and for extending their full support and participation during the training. She also shared a glimpse of information regarding the programs and services offered by DOST and invited the participants to visit the DOST-Biliran office if they like to know more about the agency and its services. 

The acquisition of equipment and training is part of the implementation of SETUP project in line with the intention of ASEMCO to expand its existing Meat shop.  (Written by Ms. Gracevillalyn R. Saldo, PA-II, DOST-PSTC Biliran)

Sample Finished Products
(Left: Skinless Longanisa, Right: Beef Tapa)