Author: Estrella Gallardo

Siyensaya 2014

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Dec 12, 2014 |

Siyensiya 2014 with the theme “Supporting the Nation in Meeting Global Challenges” was held at the E.B. Copeland Gymnasium, UP Los Baños (UPLB) College, Laguna on September 10, 2014. It is a project of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST) annually held in line with the National Science and Technology week (NSTW) celebration. Dr. Rex Victor V. Cruz, Chancellor of UPLB welcomed the guests and participants to the occasion and expressed his thanks for coming to this yearly event. Honorable Congressman who graced the affair stated the importance of the role of Science and Technology in the development and progress of a nation. He also expressed the need for a bigger budget for this cause, that at the present time is still small compared to its needs in the research and development activities and projects of the institution. Research and development in Science and Technology is the core for the development in agriculture, the main field of endeavor in the country in relation to other needs for industry and others. The modern technique in food production, processing and marketing are the major concerns of the country’s economy. We cannot dispense science in the development of a country; it is science that makes the world go around impressively, as I understand the gist of the message. Most...

15 Laureates for the 2014 GUSI Peace Prize International Presented

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Dec 12, 2014 |

Fifteen laureates for the 2014 GUSI Peace Prize International of the GUSI Peace Prize Foundations were presented at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center Auditorium in Cooperation with the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center on November 24, 2014. Ambassador Barry Gusi, after the welcome address of Dr. James G. Dy, President of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center and 2012 GUSI Peace Prize International awardee, presented the 15 laureates of the 2014 GUSI Peace Prize International Manila, Philippines. Introduced were the following: From Austria, Dr. Hans Koechle; from Bangladesh, Dr. Atiur Kahman; China, Dr. Manson Fak,...

DOST IV-A S&T Roadshow to Mall Show

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Dec 11, 2014 |

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region IV-A held the Science and Technology (S&T) Roadshow to Mall Show Event with the theme S&T Innovation Meeting Industrive Global Challenge on November 18, 2014 at the Laguna State Polytechnique University compound in San Pablo City. The ocassion was highlighted by the Key turn over the Philippine Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Building and STARBOOK to Nestor M. De Vera, President of LSPU by DR. Alexander V. Madrigal, Regional Director DOST IV-A. The turn over was followed by the inauguration of the PSTC Building led by Madrigal and Hon. Lareto “Amber” S. Amante, Mayor of San Pablo, who welcomed the guests and delegates of the affair, joined by the local government officials of the city. Part of the program was the visit to five DOST SETUP establishments in the city which DOST has provided interventions in the improvement of their products through acquisition of some equipment, machineries, technologies and others. The following were visited: · Guaranfood Manufacturing Corporation which has shifted from Hawaiian Ham product to a fully commercialized food condiments, dressing, sauces, and pickles. · Green harvest Food Products which pre-processes fresh fruits, vegetables, fruits preserves as well as local delicacies. These products are packaged and blast frozen to preserve its most natural freshness. The company delivers these products to exporters which supplied international markets. DOST has provided the company...

Agricultural Strategies for Supplying needs of a highly Diversified Diet

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Dec 1, 2014 |

In a round table discussion on the topic Linking Agriculture and Food Systems to non-communicable disease conducted on November 20, 2014 at Hotel Jen (Traders Hotel) Manila. Academician Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr. discussed the agricultural strategies for supplying needs of a highly diversified diet. Acd. Rasco is the focal person of the round table discussion and a member of the National Academy of Science and technology, Philippines, Agricultural Science and Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute. Rasco talked about the Filipinos eating habbits and styles. They eat three times a day of white rice and in between eat starchy snacks. They lay down complete meal before them and eat simultaneously from all the dishes like soup, meat, and vegetables at random. A healthy diet emphasizes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are high in complex carbohydrates. The rest of the diet should come from low-fat dairy products, bean, meat, and poultry and fish. Agriculture provides the vast majority of our food supply. With the passing of time agriculture heavily relied on chemical inputs, that increased production but created negative impact to health, ecosystems and social equity, and affected farmers capacities to provide a stable food supply. The negative impacts of industrial agriculture have been reduced with the development and promotion of alternative agriculture in recent years. However, the benefit of food systems were believed...

10th National Diotechnology Week Opens

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Dec 1, 2014 |

The 10th National Biotechnology week (NBW) that will run from november 24-28 opened on November 21, 2014 with a press conference featuring the latest technology application in the fields of health and medicine, food security and agriculture, and environmet at the La Breza Hotel at Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. This Year’s NBW’s theme is “Edukasyon sa Bioteknolohiya: Pagyamanin para sa kinabukasan natin”. The NBW is an annual event managed by the Department of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Environment, and Natural Resources, Education, Health Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry and Commision of Higher Education as this year’s lead agency. Engr. Raul C. Sabularse, Executive Director, Philippine Council for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) said that the NBW since 2005 has been celebrated last week of November by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1414. NBW aims to highlight the benefits and contributions of Biotechnology to Agriculture and Food Security; the delivery of equitable environment and the development of industries and the economy. Hon. Juan Edgardo M. Angara graced the opening ceremonies on November 24, at the commission on Higher Education (CHED) office, Diliman, Quezon City, followed by the opening of exhibits; press conference, and forums on biotechnology. The forums on biotechnology will be for the management of growth and health of aquacultured species, molecular markers in some high value commercial crops, and presentation on...

Padolina on some issues and concerns regarding GMO

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 30, 2014 |

Dr. William G. Padolina, president and academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) talked about some issues and concerns regarding BT/GMO products during the opening of the 10th National Biotechnology week on November 21, 2014 at La Breza, Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. He said that it is the clear understanding of what biotechnology is, that is very important on the issues about it. Listening to Padolina, I am sharing what I have understood from him in a language, I think is understandable to a reader. Some are opposed to the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in the food they consume, but not opposed to the medicine, vaccines and injections directly pricked to the muscles / veins and directly goes to the system. Very long time ago we have been consuming food and using medicines with GMO. The insulin injected to a type of diabetic patient is a GMO product. Some food products that we consume like soybeans and processed products from them are GMO. We do not grow soybeans in the country, the soy beans we are using are imported and 70% of the imported soy beans are GMO. We eat taho, tofu (soybean curd) soy sauce (toyo) and other processed soy bean products. We find them delicious and nutritious as well. We have the Bt corn, a successful GMO crop in the Philippines. For...

Tomato and Eggplant – Disease can be controlled the Natural Way

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 20, 2014 |

A natural pesticide to control tomato and eggplant was the outcome in a study conducted by Dr. Jonar Yago of the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU). Called the NVSU FD-BIOPEST was found to be a potential natural pesticide to control tomato black leaf mold (TBLM) and eggplant fruit rot (EFR). These two are major fungal diseases cause yield losses in tomato and eggplant farmers. Tomato black leaf mold is caused by Pseo-deorcospera fuligena and eggplant fruit rot is caused by Phomopsis Vexans. NVSU FD-BIOPEST, this mycopesticide (any pesticide that contains the fungi), is derived form the fungus that attacks insect specifically the white muscarding fungus (Beauveria Bassiana). This fungus was isolated originally from Citrus Aphids. According to Dr. Jonar Yago, pure culture of this organism was grown in a liquid culture media with known nutrient requirements to produce mycelia-free extracts. After seven days of growing under in-vitro condition, the mycelia-free extract is harvested and can be easily used against TBLM and EFR. Infection of TBLM is usually observed during transplanting. It is recommended that the use of mycopesticide starts at three weeks after transplanting, followed by weekly treatments until 14 weeks after transplanting. In all, 11 applications are needed throughout the growing period of tomato. Application of the NCSU FD-BIOPEST for the EFR starts at the fruiting stage or six weeks after transplanting until the 16th week. To effectively...

Strengthening Resilience, Equity, and integration in ASEAN Food and Agricultural System

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 20, 2014 |

Dr. Cielito F. Habito, Professor of Economics at the Ateneo de Manila University on the 2nd International Conference on Agricultural and Rural Development in Southeast Asia (ARD2014) held on November 12-13, 2014 at the Makati Shangri-La Manila talked about the theme of the conference “Strengthening, Resilience, Equity and Integration in ASEAN Food and Agricultural Systems”. He said that ARD2014 aims to provide a venue for sharing the wide and diverse knowledge pool ARD within and beyond the Southeast Asian region built on the above mentioned theme. Resilience or sustainability of food and agricultural system is currently being tested against the challenges of rapid urbanization and social transformation, resource and environmental degradation, and heightened regional and global competition. Equity considerations now commonly articulated in the phrase “inclusive growth” is a goal that must be pursued across countries and within countries in the region, he stressed on. Another factor, is integration which captures the ASEAN thrust toward closer regional political and economic coordination and cooperation, most commonly seen in the impending culmination of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. Six thematic areas will be addressed according to Habito: 1. Productivity empowerment, tradionally approached through technological improvement of various components of the farm production system; 2. Inclusive value chains, which considers the range of activities spanning form finance and provision of farm inputs; 3. Sustainability and poverty reduction, dealing with economic, social,...

SEARCA holds 2nd International Conference on Agriculture, Rural development

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 20, 2014 |

The 2nd International Conference on Agricultural and Rural Development in Southeast Asia (ARD 2014), organized by the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Graduate study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) was held on November 12-13, 2014 at Makati Shangri-La Manila. The conference focuses on strengthening Resilience, Equity, and Intergration in ASEAN Food and Agriculture Systems. Philippine government-hosted SEARCA is mandated to serve the 11 Southeast Asian countries by stregthening institutional capacities toward inclusive and sustainable agricultural and rural development (ISARD) in the region through graduate education, research and development, and knowledge management. With ARD2014, SEARCA aims to highlight innovative technological and practical approaches in the various processes of the agricultural system, showcase and derive useful lessons from institutional successes (and failures) in the management of the agricultural system and rural communities, and draw evidence-based policy implications to guide regional, national and sub-national policies and initiatives in the context of intensified regional cooperation and integration. SEARCA Director DR. Gil C. Saguiguit, Jr. Opened the conference on November 12, followed by the keynote address of President Benigno S. Aquino III delivered by Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio R. Delos Reyes. Over the two-day global forum, 65 leaders and experts from Southeast Asia and outside the region spoke at 24 parallel sessions convened by 26 international development agencies and research centers, Asian networks of farmers and universities, higher education institutions, and private entities. Similarly,...

PCAARRD Celebrates a Legacy of S&T Excellence for the AANR

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 20, 2014 |

Through meaningful and productive research and development endeavors PCAARRD continually pursues a legacy of excellence for the interest of more than two thirds of the country’s total population which depends in our agriculture and aquatic resources for livelihood. The Philippines Counil for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Reources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCAARRD-DOST) conducted the national Symposium and Development (NSAARRD) on November 10, 2014 at Makati Shangri-La Manila. In this annual activity of PCAARRD, the significant contributions of individual and institutions in promoting the status and gains of research and development for the country’s agriculture, aquatic and natural research sectors are recognized by NSAARRD by presenting awards. Recognition focuses on the research and development outputs that fuel the council to address its task in providing science-based know-how and trade that will enable the agricultural sector to raise productivity to world-class standards. NSAARRD, other than the awards indespensably measures what the council has so far accomplished and what it has yet to accomplish in setting research and development direction for agriculture, aquatic and natural resources (AANR). The council, with the conglomeration of the four-pronged R&D approach aims to contribute in achieving sustained growth for the people through high-end science and technologies which have commercial potentials, generated, and managed by a capable R&D workfarce, and sustained by needed R&D policies. These include the councils various R&D...