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Published: 23 March 2013

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2012 NRCP Achievement Awardees. The said awarding ceremony recognized scientific works promoting the welfare of the nation and its citizenry and enriching the country’s knowledge in the 12 scientific disciplines. These include education and international policies, math, medicine, pharmacy, biology, agriculture and forestry, engineering and industry, physics, chemistry, earth and space sciences, veterinary, social sciences, and the humanities (Photo by Henry A. de Leon, S & T Media Service, DOST-STII)

The Department of Science and Technology - National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) recently honored 12 Filipino researchers in the 2012 NRCP Achievement Awards for their outstanding works and innovative discoveries. The awarding was held during the 80th General Membership Assembly last March 13 , 2013 at the historic Manila Hotel .

The awardees’ scientific works were recognized as tools promoting the welfare of the nation and the citizenry and enriching the country’s knowledge in the twelve scientific disciplines spanning basic, applied sciences and social sciences.

DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo and NRCP President Dr. Lourdes Cruz handed out a gold medallion, plaque of recognition, and cash reward of Php 25,000.00 to each awardee.

Sec. Montejo also introduced to the researchers DOST’s latest umbrella program called “Smarter Philippines” and enjoined all researchers to harmonize their efforts to the program.

DOST-NRCP will be celebrating its 80th Foundation Anniversary on December 8, 2013

The awardees were:

Dr. Evelina M. Vicencio (Ph.D. University of Philippines Diliman), who was honored for her unwavering leadership and service to Philippine education with her intensive involvement in the development of peer-refereed publications and research reports that benefitted many Filipino learners.

Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo (D.Sc. Mathematics. Sophia University, Japan), who was lauded for pioneering the development of research in applications to algebraic coding theory in the country and for elevating the status of Philippine mathematics through his engagements as visiting professor and researcher of many prestigious institutions.

Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad (Scientist 2 of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute) whose pioneering studies on the bio-availability of minerals such as iron, zinc and calcium absorption and whose work on the use of coconut flour, root crops and legumes as sources of dietary fibers earned praises from DOST-NRCP.

Dr. Ireneo L. Lit Jr. (Director of University of the Philippines–Los Baños Museum of Natural History), a taxonomist who earned recognition for his pioneering work in the field of coccidology and for his researches on effective management of pest insects including quarantine measures and control of household and food industrial pests.

Dr. Severino S. Capitan (Ph.D. Animal Physiology, Punjab Agricultural University) whose notable researches on artificial insemination and estrus synchronization which involves manipulation of cattle’s reproductive processes, led to significant genetic improvement and population increase among carabaos in the country.

Dr. Alvin B. Culaba (National Academy of Science and Technology Advisory Council Member) who was commended for his pioneering work on life cycle assessment methodology in the Philippines and Asia, and for his significant contributions and inspiring leadership in the formulation of national policies and the setting of directions for the growth and development of mission oriented scientific research in the country .

Dr. Nimfa B. Ogena (University of the Philippines Population Institute) , an outstanding researcher whose scholarly contributions span several substantive and methodological areas. Among the most notable were her works on women’s role in sustainable development, reproductive health and quantitative approaches for examining female status which have contributed to national and international policies.

Dr. Alipio T. Garcia (University of Philippines-Baguio), honored for his pioneering works in ultra –high vacuum –thin film growth in the country, his significant contribution in the field of material science and semiconductors, and his unwavering support for the development and promotion of physics education in the Philippines.

Dr. Florentino P. Sumera (Professor of Chemistry, Material Science and Engineering, UP-Diliman), for his work on the synthesis of coconut fatty acid derivatives for biofuels and biodegradable polymers with potential environmental and medical use.

Dr. Jose S. Buenconsejo (Department of Musicology, UP-Diliman) conferred for his in-depth, insightful research on the epistemology of an indigenous Filipino-Asiatic ritual as well as his documentation of indigenous Philippine musical traditions in the context of local cultural meanings.

Dr. Carina G. Lao (The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) for her expertise in the field of metrology as well as her scientific researches on the tropical cyclone tracks and unusual movements of typhoons, and

Dr. Jezie A. Acorda (UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine) who received the award for his significant contributions in the field of veterinary medicine specifically on medical imaging techniques and complementary alternative veterinary medicine such as acupuncture stimulation.

Established on December 8, 1933 through the passage of Act 4120 by the Ninth Philippine Legislature, the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) primarily aims to promote and support basic research in the country along various scientific disciplines including education and international policies, math, medicine, pharmacy, biology, agriculture and forestry, engineering and industry, physics, chemistry, earth and space sciences, veterinary, social sciences, and the humanities.

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Published: 18 March 2013

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Got milk? Yes, goat’s milk. And it just got better with Department of Science and Technology’s technology intervention to the country’s first local producer of powdered goat’s milk.

Through DOST’s –Industrial Technology Development Institute, Skysoft Incorporated inaugurated the first ever goat’s milk powder processing plant in Sta.Rita Homes, Paranaque, Metro last month. DOST’s technology will help the company develop a more stable product from fresh goat milk which has short shelf life.

This is done through the ITDI-designed spray dryer that helps the milk stay even after being stored for several months. With the lengthened storage life of the company’s goat’s milk product, it is now poised to compete with the existing brands in the local market.

Before the launch, the developed product went through storage studies and subjected to physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses, assuring the safety and quality of the goat’s milk produced through the ITDI-designed spray dryer.

The launch was attended by DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. As of press time, Skysoft Incorporated is the country’s first-ever producer of powdered goat milk from goats bred and raised at Skysoft’s Boergoat Club Farm in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Goat milk is an excellent option for any patient who is cow’s milk or soy milk sensitive.
and need to have an adequate calcium intake from a natural dietary source. It is also an excellent source of dietary calcium important in the prevention of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other bone-related problems.

For menopausal women, goat’s milk provides 13 percent more calcium than cow's milk and can be consumed comfortably even by those women with milk sensitivity. (With information from Violeta B. Conoza, S&T Media Service, DOST-ITDI)

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Published: 23 March 2013

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The Department of Science and Technology’s Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO), industry partners , and a number of local government offices are pushing for Information Technology – Business Process Outsourcing as a career option to people, especially the youth, living in the regions.

Spearheaded by ICTO and Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP), these IT-BPO awareness activities were designed to increase people’s understanding on the BPO industry.

Last year, ICTO held a series of ICT road shows in selected cities of various provinces to introduce the IT-BPO sector and some of its key players and to promote the career field. One of the aims of the roadshows too is to make people understand that it is not only call centers that compose the BPO industry but also other outsource sectors.

Cities that hosted the roadshows include Palayan City, Tagbilaran City, Legazpi City, Bacolod City, Zamboanga City, Bacolod City and Davao City. In said road shows, players, experts, and executives from the IT-BPO sector shared their success stories and industry benefits from industry to participants, mostly graduating high school students with their parents.

Jesse Rebustillos, who currently works at Philippine Daily Inquirer Classified Ads section, credited his employer for giving him a chance to attend several trainings and workshops in the past to improve his skills as IT practitioner.

He said that as he was exposed to various industry conferences and seminars provided by his employer in the past, he was able to meet the relevant people in his industry and enabled him to be updated in the emerging trends.

Now, he is an IT project manager and handling a team of web developers and SEO specialists. For him, it is a very challenging and gratifying task but that what makes his career much more colorful and enjoyable.

“Imagine being able to train young talents and being able to equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitude for them to be accepted in the global job market. For me that is career satisfaction at its best,” Rebustillos said.

Meanwhile, Rosalie Buenaagua, SEO Specialist and a resident of Legazpi City, expressed her gratitude on the significant contributions made by the series of ICT road shows held in their province that helped communities there to increase their awareness about different careers in ICT.

“Dito sa Albay before, very vague ang idea ng call center and I am very thankful to the prime movers of the BPO industry who are here like Ms. Rey. Dahil sa kanya nakilala ng paunti-unti ang industriya ng BPO at call center at nabigyan ng opportunities ang kabataan dito,” Buenaagua said.

(Here in Albay before, the idea of call center was very vague….Because of her, the industry is being recognized little by little and the youth are given opportunities.)

She also encouraged parents that aside from time, they should also invest on computer and internet for their children, which will eventually help young graduates in many ways.
IT-BPO also offers alternative career options for other graduates, especially for those courses that offer slim job opportunities.

During his interview in the radio program “Bago Yan, Ah!” last year, Alejandro P. Melchor III, Deputy Executive Director for ICT Industry Development of ICTO pointed out that in the IT-BPO field, four fast growing sectors are emerging, aside from the call center sector. These include the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing, Finance and Accounting Outsourcing, Human Resources Outsourcing, and Animation and Game Development Outsourcing.

The Philippines could be a world leader in the said outsourcing sectors in the coming years, according to Melchor.

In the recent years, the country has produced sufficient number of students and graduates of Nursing, Information Technology (I.T) and other multi-media related courses to fill up the need of the IT-BPO Industry.

Healthcare IT-BPO careers have expanded into various disciplines that open windows of career opportunities for nursing graduates and allied medical professionals. Through the IT-BPO sector, these professionals can opt to take alternative careers such as medical transcriptionists, medical secretaries, medical coders and billers, medical assistants, medical representatives, medical butlers and clinical research associates.

There is a big job prospect in healthcare insurance, even in the United States alone, as President Barack Obama’s administration enacted a law that requires all American citizens to have healthcare insurance by 2014.

This is a big factor in providing opportunities for local residents, especially for those who belong to the 200,000 unemployed and under employed nursing graduates in the country.

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Published: 13 March 2013

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A year after the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) launch of a locally-fabricated gizmo that can scoop out water hyacinths from river waters, the science agency is back with a much improved version. Named “Harvester II”, the water hyacinth-chomping gizmo is faster, more stable and controlled, and has better scooping and storage capacities. Overall, it has a more superior performance than its predecessor.

“The development of Harvester II shows that technology is highly dynamic and our Filipino engineers are highly capable of developing and improving machines that can be used in addressing pressing problems, such as the water hyacinth that congests our waterways,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo. “Harvester II increases the government’s capability to prevent disasters such as floods through local technologies.”

The “High-Capacity Water Hyacinth Harvester”, or “Harvester II”, can collect triple its predecessor’s storage capacity, or up to 12.5 cubic meters of plants and weeds. Its front conveyor system now consists of stainless steel mesh-type conveyor, with improved structure and mechanism for more efficient harvesting. All these, and the vessel’s doubled speed, complete control gauges, increased stability at only 80 percent of its prototype’s weight, plus improved aesthetics, complete the package that is the Harvester II.

Today, engineers from DOST’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center, lead implementing agency of Harvester II, execute their final tests and modifications before its anticipated deployment this first quarter of 2013.

“Hopefully we will be able to perfect the Harvester, a machine suited to our waterways that we can reproduce and deploy soon,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo.

One of DOST’s High-Impact Technology Solutions (HITS), the Harvester II was developed under the “MakiBayan” or “Makina at Teknolohiya Para sa Bayan” Program, through DOST-MIRDC’s collaboration with the Project Management and Engineering Design Services Office and the Metalworking Industries Association of the Philippines. The Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) funded the project, while the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers served as consultants. The Laguna Lake Development Authority, Metro Manila Development Authority, and the Local Government of Muntinlupa City also provided assistance for the project’s testing phase.

Weeding out one of the world’s fastest growing and most damaging plants has remained a tall task for authorities. An exceedingly prolific aquatic plant that can render bodies of water impassable, clogged, or “dead”, the water hyacinth—or “water lily” to Filipinos—has invaded many of the country’s rivers and waterways. Among these are the Pasig River, the Laguna Lake, and the Liguasan Marsh of Central Mindanao. Meanwhile, the invasive specie’s assault is a worldwide phenomenon as other countries in Asia, America, and Africa are also plagued by the infamous plant.

(With reports from Concesa T. Cortez, MIRDC)

Two generations of water hyacinth collectors. The Water Hyacinth Harvester is a DOST- fabricated machine designed to remove free-floating water hyacinths in half-meter-deep rivers and waterways. The second machine, now undergoing final tests before deployment, has improved speed, stability, controls, scooping and storage capacities, aesthetics, and overall performance—a clear upgrade from its predecessor. (Photos by Henry A. De Leon and Zalda R. Gayahan, S&T Media Service, STII/MIRDC)