Pay-here-deliver-at-home service for Filipino expats launched

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Mar 28, 2017 |

Buhay Ofw Ngayon atbp By: Therry Alpa Contract signing attended by (from left) Ayman Awad, Zoom category manager and Mohur’s Middle East agent, Zoom convenience store manager; Ramuel Garcia of Powermax Tech Services; Taleb Al Saleh, marketing and retail operations director at Enoc and Saleh Hage, Marketing Manager at Zoom Dubai: Filipino expatriates in the UAE can now order some of their favourite local brands while abroad and send them as gifts to their loved ones back home. A new pay-here-deliver-at-home service called 247 RegaloPlus has just been launched to cater to the growing Filipino community in...

PCAARRD Funds Study to Develop Biological Control for Major Cacao Pests and Diseases

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Mar 27, 2017 |

The Philippines has the potential to produce 100,00 MT by 2020, according to the Philippines Cacao Road Map developed by the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Cacao Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. due to the country’s strategic location and favorable soil and climate conditions. However, in 2015 the international Cacao Organization estimated a 30 to 40% loss is cacao production owing to insect pests and disease, the pod borer (CPD) and, cacao mirid bug (CMB) the more serious ones among the pests of cacao in country. CBP feeds on the cacao bean pulp and the pods placenta, causing malformed and undersized beans severe infestations of CBP results in small flat stick together beans, yellowing, uneven or premature ripening of pods. Meanwhile, cacao mirid bug feeds on cacao pods and shoots, inducing tissue decay resulting in non-productive cacao trees. CMB’s natural enemies include a variety of wasps and spiders, such as the lynx spider, Oxyopes javanus Thorell. A new species of Erythmelus has been found as a parasitoid of CMB. Currently, researchers are mass rearing cacao mirid bug for efficiency testing of natural enemies. Also, a diet is being developed to mass rear lynx spider. The project is being funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) and the study is being conducted by Dr....

GM Crops Can Help PH Meet Nutritional Requirements says Monsanto’s Top Nutritionist

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Mar 16, 2017 |

Dr. Milton Stokes, Monsanto’s Director for Global Health and Nutrition Outreached said GM (genetically modified) crops can help Philippine meet its nutritional requirements during a press briefing at Sulo Riviera Hotel on March 7, 2017. Monsanto’s Top nutritionist said “Crops like golden rice with beta-carotene biosynthesis genes to combat Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) can help prevent 1-2 million deaths and 500,000 cases of irreversible blindness annually” (annually that is the damage the lack of Vitamin A or Vitamin A deficiency can cause to the country). Monsanto Philippines is a local unit of Monsanto, a Fortune 500 global power company...

TERMINATION OF LA NIÑA WATCH

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Mar 16, 2017 |

Vicente B. Malano Ph.D., Administrator Recent PAGASA’s climate monitoring and analyses showed that La Niña conditions are no longer present in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific (CEEP). The sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) at the CEEP continue to return to El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-neutral values. La Nina like-patterns of above normal rainfall in some flood- and landslide- prone areas, especially in Mindanao, are not likely to linger as noted in the forecasts. With this development, PAGASA ENSO Alert System Status is “INACTIVE” (El Niño or La Niña conditions are not observed or expected to develop in the equatorial Pacific basin within the next three (3) months) and ENSO-neutral condition is favored to continue through at least March-April-May 2017 season. PAGASA will closely monitor any significant climate conditions and updates shall be issued as appropriate. For further information, please contact the Climatology and Agrometeorology Division (CAD) at telephone numbers 434-0955 or 435-1675. (Thru Estrella gallardo, PSciJourn...

DOST Secretary expresses gratitude to JICA for the turn-over of Doppler radars

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Feb 4, 2017 |

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Fortunato de la Peña expressed the DOST’s gratitude to JICA for their continued valuable assistance and support to the strengthening of disaster prevention and preparedness in the country and in the whole region during the ceremonial turn-over of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Grant in Aid of Doppler Radar Systems and Facilities at the PAGASA Weather and Forecasting Center, Agham Road, Diliman Quezon City on February 03, 2017. He said that these Aparri and Guiuan Radar Systems and Facilities, which were made possible through the grant-in-aid of the JICA, under the Project...

DOST-PTRI “Fabulous @ 50, TELA Pilipinas: Beyond Gold

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Feb 3, 2017 |

The Philippine Textile Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PTRI) celebrated its 50 years of existence dubbed as “Fabulous @ 50, TELA Pilipinas: Beyond Gold,” at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Boulevard, Manila on January 27, 2017. 2017 signifies a special milestone for the PTRI half century of initiatives of leading the textile research and development in the country, while marking the institute’s stronger commitment and resolve to continue its mission of rejuvenating and revolutionizing the textile industry in the Philippines. A Stakeholders’ Conference was held at the Summit Hall of the PICC to...

“No to Laguna de Bay Fish Cages”- Fisherfolk groups

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Jan 18, 2017 |

Fisherfolk groups who recently attended the Science and Policy Forum for Sustainable Laguna lake Management in Tagaytay City say “No to Laguna de Bay Fish Cages” believing that the fish pens hinder the productivity of municipal fishers whose livelihood depends on the lake a great deal. A study conducted by Carmelita M. Rebancos titled “Perception and Scenarios Building for South Bay Communities of Laguna de Bay, Laguna, Philippines participated in by some fisherfolk groups in the Municipalities of Calamba, Los Baños, and Bay, all in Laguna were asked of possible scenarios based on past and present condition of the lake. Four scenarios were presented, whenever the lake is restored, the water is clear, deep and teeming with native fish one where open fishing would mean access to greater areas of the lake. In the lasts forty to fifty years, several studies have shown that the water quality of Laguna de Bay has been deteriorating, and so with the fishes, unlike in the 1960s, when there were less fish cages, abundant catch, and clear water were observed, fisherfolks recall. The last scenario is ecotourism where the lake would be developed as a tourist destination. The researchers, taking the fisherfolks’ views and experiences into account, “conceptualized optimal lake use which balances fisheries ecotourism, water resources, power generation, and lake rehabilitation”. However, Nareus Acosta, general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority...

DOST-NCR Launches Food Innovation Facility

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Jan 17, 2017 |

With the launching of the Department of Science and Technology- National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) of the Metro Manila’s First Food Innovation Facility at the University of the Philippines Diliman- Department of Science and Technology Food Innovation Facility (UPD-DOST-FIF) on December 15, 2016 at the UP Diliman College of Home Economics, Quezon City, Filipino Food Manufacturers can now more effectively meet the demands of their consumers for exciting new food products. Key officials from DOST, headed by Sec. Fortunato T. de la Peña and DOST-NCR Officer-in-charge Engr, Edgar T. Garcia, key officials from UP, led by UPD Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gisela P. Concepcion and UP College of Home Economics Dean, Dr. Aurorita T. Roldan, attended the event. DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, in his opening remarks emphasized that the Department will continue to collaborate with other higher education institutions to ensure that venues to strengthen the country’s research and development capabilities will be established. He added that DOST is excited to see more food innovations from local entrepreneurs through the UPD-DOST-FIF. The FIF was established via a memorandum signed between DOST-NCR and UP Diliman. The UP-DOST-FIF will enable local entrepreneurs to better compete with their regional counterparts in next generation food trends, since FIF while serving as a hub for innovation provides the necessary conducive environment to inspire the development of processed foods using state-of-the-art DOST-fabricated equipment....

6th National PHE Conference Gears Towards Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 12, 2016 |

Part of the Philippine Development Plan under the Duterte Administration is the mainstreaming of the PHE approach to fulfill the country’s commitments in the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) and the Commission on Population (POPCOM) lead the 6th National Conference on Population, Health and Environment (PHE) with a theme “Engaging the Government in Mainstreaming the PHE Approach Towards the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” This year’s conference held at Heritage Hotel Pasay City on November 8, 2016 explores the dimensions of sustaining and increasing the impact of integrated population, health...

PCAARRD Joins First DOST Technology Transfer Day

Posted by Estrella Gallardo | Nov 4, 2016 |

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic Research and Resources Development (PCAARRD) recently participated in the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in its first Technology Transfer Day at Sofitel Philippines Plaza Hotel, CCP Complex in Pasay City. The event had the theme, PROMISE: Promoting Research and Outstanding Milestones in Innovations and Science for Enterprenuerships. It was organized to showcase the write range of Filipino technologies generated through strong partnerships and linkages among scientists, researchers, innovators, inventors, enterprenuers and industry players. A total of 75 technologies and their corresponding products from the DOST councils, its regional offices and research and development institutes, responsive to the needs of local industry were displayed during the one day affair. PCAARRD showcased 12 technologies for commercialization. These include biogroe technology, chevon processed products carrageenan as fertilizer, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) diagnostic kit for shrimp pathogens, LAMP for porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus, genome-based lateral flow strip biosensor quick detection and quick response kit against shrimp diseases, semen extender for goat, impeller type compact rice mill, milkfish fry counter, sea cucumber hybrid dryer, pelletizing machine for goats feeds and package of technologies (POT) for mango. The DOST Technology Transfer Day provided an opportunity for investors, enterprises and organizations to the get most out of market-ready technologies in areas of agricultural productivity, industry competitiveness, countryside development, environment and disaster risk reduction management and quality healthcare. The...

Author: Estrella Gallardo