Charcoal briquette as air freshener

Charcoal is a good air and water filter in addition to its common use as alternative fuel for domestic use, and its many industrial uses. Because of this fact, Almeria Seafarers Multi-purpose Cooperative developed this small air-cleaning product made of charcoal briquette.

While common air fresheners emits some harmful compounds into the air, this small "thing" absorbs harmful and odor causing compounds from air making them fresh again. This is therefore the true air-freshener in a sense. The product's environment friendly character is also reinforced by the fact that it utilizes biomass wastes that are charred and powdered then compacted using briquetting machine.

Soon ASEMCO will be producing the charcoal briquette and the air-freshener when operation of the charcoal briquetting facility supported by Department of Science and Technology through Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) will start commercial production.

The air-freshener is a small item that can be placed on top of tables or cabinets in rooms where air need to be cleaned. This is useful in newly painted rooms or in rooms sprayed by insect repellant. It could even be placed inside the refrigerator to remove undesirable odors.

DOST assisted ASEMCO in the acquisition of equipment which are designed by both FPRDI and the ERDB-DENR in Laguna.

DOST Secretary Montejo visits citronella project in Biliran

The humble speaking Honorable Secretary Mario G. Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology cited the adoption of hydro-steam extractor technology for extraction of citronella oil from a grass locally called as "samuyao" or citronella (Cymbopogon nardus var. confertiflorus) as a success story of village level technology application.

The Secretary was in Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran on January 17, 2011 for a short visit to the Citronella Oil Extraction project supported by DOST's SETUP Program.

(In Photo: L-R: Mr. Dignos-DOST Biliran Provincial Director, Mr. Jesus Doyon BEOMP owner, DOST Undersecretary Carol M. Yorobe, DOST 8 ARD for Tech Operations, Ernesto M. Granada, DOST 8 Regional Director Engr. Edgardo Esperancilla, and Hon Mario G. Montejo, DOST Secretary)

The Secretary is appreciative of how a simple technology was able to harness local raw materials into something of economic value that in turn created livelihood and job opportunity for the local people as well as an added income to the adaptor. DOST, through the Industrial Technology Development Institute assisted the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines (BEOMP) in designing the extractor. Engr Jesus Villamil, the company's consultant received technical suggestions from Engr. Mil Valdecañas of ITDI during the design and fabrication of the hydro-steam extractor.

The company has fully refunded the SETUP assistance of DOST for the acquisition of the extractor in 2010. This year BEOMP is aiming for further upgrading by replacing the old extractor with a new one to be funded again by SETUP.

Biliran PSTC bares contribution to DOST Regional Accomplishments

PSTC Biliran as the linking arm of DOST VIII in the province is proud to present its humble contribution to the performance of the agency in Eastern Visayas. The report contained herewith only highlights the PSTC's activities in line with the agency's key performance indicators (KPI) according to its major final outputs (MFO). There are other activities which the center conducted in coordination with other line agencies and local government units in Biliran Province, which may not be included in the report. To browse the summary of accomplishments, you may click the link below.

The year 2010 is a period of transitions in the government. This year marks the conduct of two elections nationwide, national and local. Several changes in focus and priorities were made as a result of changes in leadership both for the national and local positions. But despite these national political events, DOST continue to pursue its mandates as laid out in its development goals. The Biliran PSTC on its part continued implementation of its projects and activities as planned for the year 2010.

Still with limited budget, the PSTC was operated with two regular and one contractual employee who covers eight municipalities of the Province of Biliran. The office is hosted by the lone higher learning institution in the province, the Naval State University, with office located at the 1st floor of the NSU Gymnasium in Naval, Biliran. The provincial center coordinates every technical activities of the Department while administrative functions are made in the Regional Office to support its operations.

The accomplishments presented herewith are based on performance conducted by the center in cooperation with the local government units, other line agencies, the private sectors, local entrepreneurs, non-government organizations, the academe, and other agencies under the umbrella of the DOST. Projects implemented were based on performance commitments of the center as contribution to the over-all regional goals of DOST which in turn form part of the national DOST targets.

Highlights of Accomplishments

MFO1. Diffusion of Knowledge and Technologies

Technology Transfer and Commercialization

Under the main program of DOST on Small and Medium Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), PSTC Biliran committed to provide 21 Technology Interventions to 3 existing firms and 1 new firm. From these targets PSTC Biliran was able to provide 37 interventions to 8 existing and 4 new firms with Innovation System Support funding (Core funded projects). These interventions generated gross income of PhP 5.6 Million, employment of 632 man months, and an average of 87% improvement of productivity for the entire year. These are about 260% greater than the targets of PhP 2,165 million, 256 man-months, and 50% productivity improvement for gross sales, employment, and productivity, respectively

For technology interventions under the SETUP program which are funded under regular DOST funds, PSTC Biliran targeted to provide 34 interventions to 8 existing and 4 new firms which would generate about PhP 13 M of gross income, 7 employments, and 20% productivity increase. For the year, the center was able to provide 50 technical interventions to 9 existing firms and 18 new firms that generated a total gross income of PhP 85million, employed 15 persons and create 53% improvement in productivity.

Consultancy Services

Provision of technical advice through qualified consultants also is a major thrust of the Provincial Office through several consultancy programs of the agency such as CAPE, MPEX, CPT, STEVPP, and other consultancy. In 2010 PSTC Biliran targeted 3 MPEX engagements but was able to accomplish only 2. Two (2) firms were targeted for CAPE and 1 for CPT but none were conducted for the year. These results were due to unavailability of qualified SMEs for the activities. STEVPP which aimed to deploy RDI based experts targeted to deploy 17 experts and serve 121 clients but were able to deploy only 15 experts to 82 clients. This is because of the limited funds for the program and the mobilization of local experts to answer consultancy needs of the firms. For other consultancies, PSTC Biliran aimed to conduct 54 activities to serve 41 clients with 57 consultants. A total of 54 were actually made serving 54 clients with 68 consultants working either as individual or as a team.

Training, Investment Clinics, & Fora

Conduct of training is another major activity of the PSTC. A total of 12 trainings were conducted by PSTC Biliran serving about 59 firms with a total of 219 trainees for the year. These surpassed its target of 11 training for 11 firms with 160 trainees. Training conducted by the center was in cooperation with NSU and the DOST supported Food Technology Training Center in CNSAT, Cabucgayan, Biliran. Although not part of the performance commitments, DOST Biliran was able to conduct 3 technology clinic and investment fora serving a total of 22 firms with 60 participants and deployed 14 experts from DOST and other support agencies. These activities were aimed to disseminate technologies from the generator to the private sector and the enterprises in particular.

Packaging and Labeling Assistance

Packaging and labeling assistance of DOST include provision of label design and execution of label design by acquiring packaging materials that uses the label design and applied on the products. Biliran PSTC targeted 5 interventions to 3 firms which are supposed to create 4 new markets and a generation of PhP 43,000.00 gross sales. For the year in review, Biliran was able to provide 5 interventions to 5 firms generating 5 new markets and a gross sale of PhP 105,000.00

MFO III. Development of Human Resources for the S & T Sector

The role of the PSTC on the provision of human resource development activities cannot be under-emphasized being the front line of the agency. PSTC Biliran take part in dissemination of DOST’s scholarship programs. In 2010 PSTC Biliran was able to assist 108 takers of the DOST Scholarship examinations and 80 examinees under the Philippine Science High School qualifying examinations. A total of 7 existing DOST scholars who are enrolled in NSU also received regular assistance from the PSTC including facilitation of tuition fee payments and releases of monthly stipends.

MFO IV. Provision of Quality S & T Services

In providing quality services, the PSTC’s role revolves around information dissemination, development of linkages and networks, resource generation, and monitoring and evaluation. Although most did not form part of the performance commitments of the center, several accomplishments were also realized.

For 2010, PSTC Biliran was able to serve 12 press releases through local radio station and the Philippine Information Agency. A total of 21 networks were established as targeted generating 14 projects out of 12 projects targeted and a total of 11 trainings conducted with the LGUs which is also just equal to the target.

Having mandated to assist in the certification of BEIs during the May 2010 National Elections, PSTC Biliran with support from NSU was able to certify 237 BEIs from Biliran province wide.

Conclusion

With the meager budget and a lean structure, Biliran PSTC was able to contribute to the accomplishments of the Regional Office. Although there are performance indicators unmet, intervening activities were more than enough to show that the center has performed as expected if not more than expected. The staff is hereby grateful to the full support of the management both technically and administratively.

Upgrading of Furniture Facility

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Newly acquired mini band saw

(SPIN: 10-1335-08-02-1)

PROJECT BENEFICIARY:

Caril's Furniture

Ms. Adelfa R. Caril, Proprietor

Naval, Biliran

Biliran (Lone District)

DATE APPROVED: August 2010

SETUP FUNDING: P 70,000.00

NATURE OF PROJECT: The project involves the acquisition of equipment for improvement of furniture production. Equipment include a mini band saw for curve cutting, wood lathe accessory, boring tools, planer, and sander. The firm also receives consultancy assistance through MPEX program to improve management and production area lay-out.

STATUS OF PROJECT: On-going

Establishment of Charcoal Briquetting Facility Using Abandoned Biomass as Raw Materials

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The equipment acquired using SETUP assistance

(SPIN: 10-11217-01-1)

PROJECT BENEFICIARY:

Almeria Seafarers Multipurpose Cooperative (ASEMCO)

Ms. Anita S. Corto, Manager

Poblacion, Almeria, Biliran

Biliran (Lone District)

DATE APPROVED: March 2010

SETUP FUNDING: P 105,500.00

NATURE OF PROJECT: The project involves the acquisition of charcoal briquetting facility that utilizes bio-mass waste in charcoal production. The project utilizes a combination of DENR-ERB and DOST-FPRDI briquetting technology.

STATUS OF PROJECT: Newly established

Upgrading of Essential Oil Extraction Plant

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(SPIN: 06-450-08-03)

PROJECT BENEFICIARY:

Hydro steam extractor funded by SETUP

Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines
Mr. Jesus F. Doyon, Sr.
Office: Cogon, Ormoc City
Plant Site: Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran
Biliran (Lone District)

DATE APPROVED:
  Phase 1:  JANUARY 2005
  Phase 2:  March 2011

SETUP FUNDING 
  (Phase 1): P 365,000.00
  (Phase 2): P 865,000.00

NATURE OF PROJECT: The project involves the provision of technical assistance to improve production volume, efficiency, and product quality through acquisition of new hydro steam extractor equipment and other consultancy services. The firm produces citronella oil from citronella grass and sold as raw materials for pharmaceutical use.

STATUS OF PROJECT:
  Phase 1: COMPLETED (Completed refund)
  Phase 2, Commissioning of new equipment and trial production is on going