PSTC-So. Leyte Installs Three ARGs, Two WLMS and One TANDEM in the Province

ARG installed at Pintuyan, So. Leyte

One of the national objectives of our country is to provide basic information regarding the upcoming calamities in order to reduce and manage disasters and possible life and property damages. One strategy in providing enough information is by improving the ways on how weather conditions are relayed to the people.

According to PAGASA, the Philippines is one of the most storm-visited country in the whole world. An average of 20 major storms struck the Philippines every year. Aside from that, we also suffered from the effects of flashfloods and landslides. One of the most devastating of this was the Ginsaugon landslide in February 17, 2006 which took almost 1,000 lives including the lives of the children and millions worth of properties.

To mitigate the problem, the Philippine Government thru the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) created the Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH). The project aims to incorporate technology in mitigating hazards during the times of disasters (de Leon, 2013). Under the project, the PSTC-Southern Leyte in cooperation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Local Government Units in the identified municipalities installed Automatic Rain Gauges (ARG) in San Francisco, Pintuyan and Hinunangan, Southern Leyte last July 3-4, 2013. The ARGs measure the amount of rain fall and gives information to prevent any tragedies caused by flood.

WLMS installed arm ARYAG Bridge, San Francisco, So. Leyte

The PSTC also installed Water Level Monitoring Systems (WLMS) in Habay Bridge and Marayag Bridge, both sites located in San Francisco, Southern Leyte. The WLMS measures the level of water and also gives information to prevent any tragedies caused by flood.

Moreover, the PSTC installed TANDEM (ARG+WLMS) in Subangdako Bridge, Sogod, Southern Leyte last July 5, 2013. This equipment has the combined function of ARG and WLMS.

The different modern devices installed in the selected municipalities of Southern Leyte are expected to provide real-time weather data. Installing these devices is a way of utilizing science and technology in ensuring the safety of the Filipinos.

The installation of the equipment was headed by Dr. Dominador A. Clavejo, Provincial Director,DOST Southern Leyte.
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DOST and DTI Conducts Metals and Engineering Industry Roadmapping for the Province of Southern Leyte

The Participants Together with the Organizers and the Speaker

The province of Southern Leyte have always regarded its metal and engineering sector as one of its focus industries and have continually took part in the programs initiated to further its development. As part of this extensive effort, the Southern Leyte Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC-Southern Leyte) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry-Southern Leyte (DTI) and Metal Institute Research and Development Center (MIRDC) conducted training on roadmap for the metal and engineering sectors in the province of Southern Leyte. The training was conducted last June 11, 2013 at Villa Catalina, Maasin City.

The training was attended by twenty-three participants from micro and medium sized enterprises which are engaged in the fabrication or welding sector. Some of the participants were SETUP beneficiaries of PSTC-Southern Leyte such as the Cabadbaran J&B Welding Shop, Marte Technova Inc. and Saavedra Welding and Repair Shop.

The training generally aimed to educate local fabricators and welders on the status of the metal and engineering sectors in the country as well as to create and foster the linkages necessary for stronger network within the industry. The activity was under the umbrella of collaborative efforts of several business and government sectors to boost the overall state of the metal and engineering industry in the province.

The highlight of the training was the presentation by Dr. Agustin M. Fudolig, Deputy Executive Director of MIRDC, entitled the Roadmap of the Philippine Metals and Engineering Industry”. Dr. Fudolig explained to the participants the pivotal roles of the roadmap in the direction of which the industry will take for the next few years. The information gathered in the roadmap will serve as inputs for the national comprehensive industrial strategy. It will also serve as a guide in conceptualization of the annual IPP as well as serve as the aid in defining the government strategies for trade and investments.  He also talked about the Metal Industry, giving general overview on the industry structure and gave statistics on the M&E Industry geographic distribution. Data shows as having NCR with highest concentration of M&E related businesses (624 shops per area).

Giving of Certificate by DOST and DTI Personnel

After the presentation, an open forum was done to get the feedback of the participants regarding activity and the learning they had from it. There was a positive reception of the participants on the roadmap project as a whole. An appreciation was also given to the organizers by the participants on their effort of creating an initiative to increase their knowledge on the industry that they play in and bridge the connections amongst their fellow industry players.

Training on Value Engineering is being considered to be added in the pipeline as response to the success of this initiative.
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DOST SOUTHERN LEYTE DIRECTOR CONFERRED A DOCTORAL DEGREE

Dr. Dominador A. Clavejo before the Graduation Ceremony

Engr. Dominador A. Clavejo finally got his doctorate degree in Technology Management when he marched during the graduation ceremony at the Cebu Technological University, Cebu City. He actually completed the requirements for graduation during the first semester of 2012, but he decided to join his classmates last April 2, 2013 in their graduation rites.

Dr. Clavejo joined DOST way back 1992 as the Provincial Director of Southern Leyte Province. Before he joined DOST, he was connected with the Department of Interior and Local Government as the Section Chief on Plans and Programs in its Manila Office which was under the Bureau of Local Government Development.

Dr. Clavejo or “Lalan” as fondly called by friends and colleagues is the driving force behind the success of PSTC-So. Leyte. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Visayas where he took up Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and roughly a year after graduation, he passed the Licensure Exam. He pursued his Masteral Degree at Saint Joseph College with a degree of Business Administration.

During his stint in DOST, Lalan received awards and recognitions. To mention a few, he was a recipient of the Bilateral Scholarship Program between the Japanese and the Philippine Government under the JICA for a Farm Machinery Design Course in Tsukaba, Japan. This is when he published a research work entitled “Wind Energy for Island Barangay in the Philippines” on a Japanese Journal called “Proceedings of International Seminar on Utilizing Farm Machinery for the Twenty First Century”. He was also a recipient of the China-Philippines Bilateral Program on “Non-Conventional Energy” at Shenyang University, Republic of China.

He became the representative of the Provincial Government of So. Leyte for the Philippines Trade and Investment Promotions in Taiwan last 2009. He was also one of the six finalists for the Search for the Best Provincial Director of DOST last 2011. At present, his dissertation paper entitled “Energy Generation for Anaerobic Fermentation of Household Waste: Proposed Technology Package” was accepted for publication by the UK-based journal on Household Energy Network.

Moreover, he also invented/innovated different gadgets and equipment. Some of these gadgets are the Hydro Ram Pump, LSW Pump, Venturi Pump, and the Suction Vacuum Pump. All his invented gadgets are now in the process of patenting.


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1ST “BODOL-BODOL” ULANG EATING IN THE PROVINCE

“Bodol-Bodol” Ulang Eating Activity

To be included in the Guinness World Book of Records, the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) -Bontoc Campus has initiated the conduct of the 1^st "Bodol-Bodol" ulang eating activity in the compound of the University. The ulang eating was part of the 1^st International Ulang Congress Celebration held last January 10-11, 2013 at SLSU-Bontoc Campus. The activity was highlighted by the display of harvested ulang, ready to be eaten in a long table with matching hanging rice (poso).

The activity showcased the abundance of freshwater ulang in the municipality where the technology was first developed by SLSU-Bontoc Campus. All walks of life have participated in the "bodol-bodol" ulang eating activity. Municipal and barangay officials together with the national and provincial government employees have stormed out in the plaza of SLSU-Bontoc Campus to partake in the activity.

Dir. Edgardo M. Esperancilla of DOST 8 – Participated the “Bodol-bodol” Ulang Eating

A total of 400 kilos fresh giant ulang was placed in the long table covered with an acetate. Five (5) containers of hanging rice were also placed near the area. Based on the estimates, a total of 2,000 individuals participated in the activity and a total of 1,500 pcs of hanging rice was consumed.

International Fresh Giant Ulang Congress is just a beginning for the new era of food sufficiency in the locality as well as in the province. Moreover, this will be sustained by the locality of Bontoc thru a resolution to continuously celebrate the activity especially during the town fiesta.


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SOUTHERN LEYTE INITIATED THE 1st INTERNATIONAL FRESHWATER PRAWN CONGRESS AND FESTIVAL

Southern Leyte State University (SLSU)-Bontoc Campus initiated the 1st International Freshwater Prawn Congress and Festival held in SLSU-Bontoc Campus, Bontoc, Southern Leyte last January 10-11, 2013. The main purpose of the activity is to showcase the mature technologies developed by the University on giant freshwater ulang culture which the academe started way back 2002.

L-R. Mr. J. Zamora -DOST 7, Dr. Clavejo -DOST So. Leyte,Mr. Reyes –SLT Publisher,Dir.Esperancilla -Regional Director of DOST 8, Mr. Marcial Tangaan–DOST Bohol, Ms. Mabel Calva -Administrator of SLSU-Bontoc Campus, Congressman Roger Mercado-Lone District of So. Leyte and Ms. Mae Ann Reyes -Supervising SRS of DOST 8)

The Congress was highlighted by different activities which include the presentation of the different research works regarding freshwater ulang from the different academe all over the country. Vietnam, Kenya and Norway also participated in the activities.

In the plenary session, Hon. Roger G. Mercado, Congressman Lone District of Southern Leyte and Ms. Mabel R. Calva of SLSU- Bontoc Campus welcome all participants from the different academe and other countries. Dr. Gloria Reyes and Mayor Matias Mervyn C. Ruales gave the Opening Salvo of the session. The keynote speaker of the activities is Dr. Nenalyn P. Defensor, Commissioner of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and chairperson of the SLSU Board of Regents.

The activities of the Congress include Poster Presentation Contest, Ulang Rodeo, Ulang Mardi Gras Contest and many others. The highlight of the Congress was the Ulang Bodol-Bodol Rites.

Engr. Esperancilla joining the bodol fight

Other participants to the bodol fight

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