12 Biliranons qualify for DOST SEI JLSS Scholarships

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4,529 third year college students passed the 2017 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) examination which was administered last November 19 nationwide as announced by the Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) on December 31, 2017.

The JLSS is a scholarship program under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the “S&T Scholarship Act of 1994,” R.A. No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013,” and the R.A. No. 2067 or the Merit Scholarship Program.” There were a total of 6,049 third year college students who are enrolled in various S&T courses that took the examination for the said program. Qualifiers to the program will enjoy two to three years of scholarship benefits, which include tuition subsidy, monthly stipend, book allowance, and others. Passers of the Merit Scholarship will likewise receive the same benefits except for the pro-rated monthly stipend that is based on the scholar’s socio-economic status.

The following students are the qualifiers from Biliran Province:

DOST-SEI Campaigns for Scholarship

The Department of Science and Technology- Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is once again campaigning for talented and deserving students to apply for the 2018 Undergraduate Scholarship and Junior Level Science Scholarship Programs.

The 2018 Undergraduate scholarship is offered to students belonging to the top 5% of the graduating Grade 12 senior high school for SY 2017-2018 or upcoming first-year students for SY 2018-2019. For this scholarship, students may apply under RA 7687 or the Merit scholarship programs. The RA 7687, also known as the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994,” provides a scholarship to talented and deserving students whose families’ socio-economic status does not exceed the set cut-off values of certain indicators. Meanwhile, Merit Scholarship Program, formerly known as the NSDB or NSTA Scholarship under RA No. 2067, is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics. Applicants and qualifiers must be willing to pursue priority fields of study in the fields of science and technology. 

CEST goes to Higatangan Island

The Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. VIII pushed beyond its normal course by reaching out island communities in Eastern Visayas. First of its empowering tour is the beautiful island of Higatangan which is part of the Municipality of Naval, the capital town of Biliran Province with the conduct of Training Workshop on Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) on June 14-15, 2017 at Emponet Resort in Brgy Libertad.

Higatangan Island, with two component barangays (Brgy. Mabini and Brgy. Libertad) and home to a total population of 1970 (PSA, 2015), is one of the picturesque tourist destinations in Biliran that has gained increasing esteem due to its marvelous shifting sand bar that stretched about 200 meters from the shoreline of Brgy. Mabini to the open and relaxing sea. The island is surrounded by crystal clear waters that is enticing for snorkelers and divers. White beaches are found on the west side and rock formation carved by nature on the north.

Like many rural barangays throughout the country, Higatangan is not immune to common social and developmental problems. Simple community problems are compounded by the fact that influx of local and foreign tourist is expected to increase due to rising promotional activities spearheaded by the young and active Mayor of Naval, Hon. Gerard Roger M. Espina.

The CEST program used the modalities of the CLCP to help the representatives of various sectors in Higatangan. The process involves the crafting of common dream or vision for Higatangan in the next 10 years and identify the key issues and activities they deem important in achieving their dream. Ms. Evelyn Tablante, of DOST-8 served as resource person and led facilitator of the workshop. Support facilitators for the two-day training workshop are DOST-Biliran staff Ms. Ma. Catherine Maniba-SRS II, Ms. Juliet M. Aguirre-AA III, and Gracevillalyn Saldo-PA II with DOST-8 support staff Ms. Teresa Yepes and Ma. Arian Jane Q. Gad.

Result of the CLCP shows that among the top concerns of the island are: 1) access to safe and potable water; 2) clearing of unwanted structures in the beach and sand bar area; 3) easy access to health services and medicine, 4) putting up of police sub-station, 5) construction of covered court both for sports and evacuation purposes, and 6) dumping site for solid waste management. The 55 participants coming from the two barangays were composed of representative from the barangay officials, farmers, fisher-folks, women, youth, senior citizens, housewives, and micro entrepreneurs (mat weavers) sectors. The final output of the activities is an action plan for one year in relation to their priority activities.

Regional Director Edgardo M. Esperancilla, of DOST-8 who headed the CEST Team himself, inspired the participants of the training workshop by reminding them how fortunate they have to have a potential world class tourist spot that is even better than other popular places abroad. He also stressed the need for better management of their resources to maximize their potential especially for tourism purposes. He was also appreciative of the enthusiastic response and cooperation of the representatives from various sector coming from the two barangays. Director Esperancilla further stated that results of the CLCP will be a good entry point for identification of priority projects for implementation by concerned line agencies.

Engr Ramil Uy, Sr. SRS of DOST-8, presented the programs of DOST-8 to the participants to give them a birds’ eye view of relevant services DOST-8 is providing to the community under the CEST program. Dr. Romeo Dignos, Provincial S & T Director for DOST-Biliran also presented the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program to encourage the micro-entrepreneurs in the island to adopt technology innovation for better product quality to catch the tourist taste and needs.

The Naval State University, headed by OIC-President Dr. Victor Cañezo, ably represented by the NSU’s Director Extension Services Office, Dr. Christopher Vicera served as the organizing institution for the CLCP activity. Mr. Jeremy Balondo and Engr. Bryan Bernil, both personnel and instructors of NSU served as facilitators of the training-workshop.

The NSU ESO is expected to undertake follow-up activities to link the community with concerned line agencies and other development stakeholders to address their problems. Meanwhile, DOST-8 encouraged the barangay officials to coordinate with DOST Provincial Office for further partnership and preparing proposals for possible project cooperation in relation to areas where science and technology can be used to address the major issues identified by Higatangan Island constituents.

RG Herbal Oil receives DOST- recognition

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Mr. Giovanni T. Dignos accepting his Certificates of Completion and
Ownership handed by Engr. Ramil T. Uy, Sr. SRS-DOST 8
and Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, PSTD-Biliran

Anyone who works hard to deliver desired outputs with willpower reaps the recognition he deserves. Just like Mr. Giovani T. Dignos, owner of RG Herbal Oil Repacking and Marketing, whom DOST-8 recognized and awarded with the Certificates of Completion and Ownership in recognition of his dedication and commitment in efficiently paying and completing his financial obligation to DOST SETUP. The awarding ceremony was done last December 1, 2016 at NSU Hostel, Naval, Biliran during the conduct of the 2016 SETUP Forum. 

RG Herbal Oil Repacking and Marketing is the producer of RG Herbal Oil, a popular liniment made from mineral oil, and extract from various medicinal plants. Before the DOST intervention, the enterprise produces herbal oil using ordinary equipment through a simple production process. On his short testimony during the SETUP Forum, the owner described how he converted and used big recycled cans as cooking tool in producing herbal oil. The cans corrode fast and he had to replace them every month. He tried using large aluminum kettles, but the largest he could have made him produce the required volume for the whole month. He also used firewood for oil extraction and product cooking. He comically shared his experience on how his neighbors had thought that their house was on fire whenever he was cooking due to the heavy smoke that the wooden firewood created.

Biliran studes qualify for the DOST-SEI 2016 Junior Level Science Scholarships

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Two students from the Naval State University passed the scholarship examinations for the 2016 Junior Level Science Scholarships conducted nationwide by the DOST-Science Education Institute (SEI) last October 2016.

The successful examinees are Oliver B. Jaguines and Emmanuel Salvador Y. Maturana, both second year BS Computer Engineering students of NSU.

The JLSS is a scholarship program of the DOST-SEI under the Republic Act No. 7687 or the “Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994”, Republic Act No. 10612 or the “Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013”, and the Merit Scholarship Program.

The new scholars will receive scholarship benefits for the next three years beginning next school year. The NSU students who qualified under RA 10612 will be entitled to subsidy in tuition fee and other school fees, monthly living allowance, book allowance, among others, in the last 3 years of their undergraduate studies.

For the complete list of qualifiers from Region VIII please visit the link. Complete list

DOST 8 recognizes Know Well's SETUP performance

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Mr. Noel B. Pla, proprietor of Know Well Office Systems, receiving Certificates

of Completion and Ownership from DOST 8 through Mr. Romeo L. Dignos, 

PSTD-Biliran and Engr. Ramil T. Uy, Sr. SRS-DOST 8.

“Know Well Office Systems have grown significantly in just 3 years, and was able to maximize the support of DOST SETUP because we believe, we have chosen a good strategy in doing business,” said Mr Noel B. Pla, proprietor of Know Well Office Systems in Naval, Biliran. 

Mr. Noel B. Pla, alongside Mr. Giovanni Dignos, has been awarded the Certificates of Completion and Ownership last December 1, 2016 at NSU Hostel, NSU Compound, Naval, Biliran during the conduct of the 2016 SETUP Forum. The certificates were given to him in recognition of his dedication and commitment to DOST SETUP by efficiently paying and completing his financial obligation to the agency.