GOVPH

VISAYAS S&T FAIR PRESS CONFERENCE

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Published: 07 November 2013

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Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary for Strategic Plans and Programs Engr. Robert O. Dizon (third from left) announced to the iloilo-based media that DOST will establish in each region of the country at least one Food Innovation Center that will provide new equipment and extensive trainings on food processing, among others. This was held during the press conference of the recently-held 2013 Visayas Science and Technology Fair at SM Iloilo City. Also in photo are (from left) Jeffrey Perez of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology , DOST IV Regional Director Rowen Gelona, Technology Application and Promotion Institute Director Engr. Edgar Garcia and DOST VIII Regional Director Edgar Esperancilla. Currently, the Mindanao Cluster Fair is ongoing at the Almont Hotel's Inland Resort in Butuan City and will run from Nov. 6-10. (Photo and text by Allan Mauro V. Marfal, S &T Media )

DOST installs additional rain gauges in flood-prone CAMANAVA

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Published: 29 October 2013

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To address the perennial flooding in the CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) installed additional automated rain gauges (ARGs) in the past months through its National Capital Region (NCR) office. The installation is part of the initiative for emergency distribution of hydrometeorological devices in hard hit areas in the country.

Rain gauge is a weather instrument used by meteorologists and hydrologists to measure the amount of rain in an area over a certain period. The rain gauges were installed in Mapulang Lupa, Pleasant View Subdivision in Barangay Bagbaguin and at the Smart cell site 2 at Gen. T. de Leon. Two more ARGs were put up in Dampalit Elementary School in Malabon and at the Smart cell site 3 in Caloocan City.

CAMANAVA, having a lower elevation compared with other cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, is prone to constant flooding. In fact, the occurrence of high tide also contributes to flooding even without weather disturbances.

DOST’s water hyacinth dryer helps Cainta women weave better lives through handicrafts

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Published: 29 October 2013

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A livelihood cooperative specializing in water hyacinth products can expect more productivity after receiving a water hyacinth dryer developed by Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Product and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI).

The Rizal-based Bangon Kababaihan Bagong Cainta (BKBC) cooperative acquired the dryer through “Shared Service Facility” project of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) - Region IV-A in a turnover ceremony held recently at the BKBC Livelihood Production Center.

“The local government of Cainta recognized the need to harvest the thick patches of water hyacinth in the Manggahan floodway that regularly cause severe flooding in their area,” said Ms. Grecelda A. Eusebio, Chief of FPRDI's Business Development and Intellectual Property Section.

“The collected plants are dried and processed into bags, wallets, home accents and other handicraft products by the women of BKBC,” Eusebio added.

The dryer shortens drying time of water hyacinth stalks from several days to only a few hours, thus lessening the risk of fungal attack. It enables small and medium enterprises to sustain and even increase production as the equipment makes drying possible even during the rainy season.

“Using the dryer, the cooperative can dry as much as 5,000 water hyacinth stalks a day. This is a welcome development since the BKBC supplies dried stalks to La Casa Décor, a company that exports water hyacinth wall coverings to 45 countries, including Canada and the United States,” explained Ms. Wency H. Carmelo of FPRDI’s Technology Innovation Division.

Among those present during the turnover were FPRDI Deputy Director Felix B. Tamolang, DTI Region IV-A Director Marilou Toledo, former Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan, BKBC head Veronica Ilagan, and representatives from the Villar and Meralco Foundations.

DOST’s water hyacinth dryers have already benefitted several groups. Among them are the Taguig-based Kabuhayan ng Mamamayan Producers’ Cooperative in 2011, and the Pasig City Jail in 2012 for its livelihood program for inmates and locals.

Aside from developing the dryer and giving technical assistance to adopters, the DOST-FPRDI also conducts training courses on water hyacinth processing and treatment. Several groups of women and out-of-school youth, mostly from poor communities near Laguna Lake, have benefited from these courses.

From pest to pesos: Water hyacinths are woven into handicraft items by members of BKBC