DOST, DTI, DAR conducts pineapple processing training in Maydolong, Eastern Samar

Ms.Villaluz and Mr. Hermida of DOST-ITDI demonstrating
the preparation ofpineapple in syrup

Realizing the great potential of pineapple industry in the province of Eastern Samar, the Department of Science and Technology Eastern Samar Provincial S&T Center (DOST-Eastern Samar), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) – Eastern Samar Provincial Office, and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Eastern Samar with the full support of LGU-Maydolong, joined forces in conducting the pineapple processing training in Maydolong, Eastern Samar last October 12-13, 2011. Maydolong is considered to be the largest pineapple-producing municipality in the province, both in terms of land area and actual production.

The two-day training was held in Brgy. Canloterio, Maydolong with participants who are pineapple farmers from the barangay and three (3) other pineapple producing barangays in the municipality, namely: Brgy. Guindalitan, Brgy. San Gabriel and Brgy. Lapgap. Every year, these farmers faced significant wastage of harvest mainly because of rejects due to stunted growth, natural deformation, and pest attacks. And with the huge pineapple production, these farmers oftentimes find it difficult to market all of its products in the province alone, forcing them to lower its selling price and yet return home with overriped pineapples.With experts Ms. Charito Villaluz and Mr. Rolando Hermida from the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), the farmers were taught on how to make pineapples in syrup, pineapple juice, pineapple puree, pineapple vinegar, and wine. The training, which includes lectures and hands-on demonstration on pineapple processing, also provided the participants with knowledge on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), a must for food processing business.

MayorHenry Afable gracing the closing program of the training

In his message, Mayor Henry Afable thanked the DOST, DTI and DAR for conducting the training and said that the training “was a classic example of government agencies converging their resources to achieve the common goal of supporting the pineapple farmers”. He also added the training is just the first step of developing the pineapple industry as LGU-Maydolong plans to build a pineapple processing plant in the near future.

The DTI provided the basic equipment and utensils for pineapple processing while the DAR identified and formally organized the pineapple growers, most of whom are Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). LGU-Maydolong, on the other hand, sponsored the food for all the participants and the food and accommodation of the experts. The plane fares of the experts were funded under the DOST-Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

For more information, please visit our office or call us at landline number (055) 261-2664 or call/text us using mobile number 0918.515.9990.

Prepared by: ARNALDO T. AMOSCO JR. Provincial S&T Director
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DOST Now Accepts Applicants for the 2012 Undergraduate Scholarships

The Department of Science and Technology formally announces the availability of scholarships for 2012 DOST Science and Technology Undergraduate Scholarship Programs for graduating high school students nationwide who wish to pursue baccalaureate degree programs in Basic Sciences, Science Teaching, Engineering and other Applied Sciences.

Two scholarship programs are being offered:

1. RA 7687 S&T Scholarship Program, for applicants whose family’s socio-economic status does not exceed the set values of certain indicators (i.e. annual family gross income < P156,600.00); and
   
2. DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship Program, for applicants whose family’s socio-economic status exceeds the set values of certain indicators. A non-refundable test fee of P200.00 is required.
   

The applicant must:

• belong to the graduating class of an identified S&T Oriented High School (ESNCHS and Dolores National High School); or belong to upper 5% of the graduating class of other high schools, or at least have a good grades in Science and Math;
  
• be a natural-born Filipino citizen;
  
• be in good health and of good moral character; and
• be a qualifier of the S&T Scholarship Examination.

The following are the requirements for application:

1. Fully accomplished Application Forms (Forms A - G);
2. Two (2) recent 1” x 1” photographs, taken within the month of application;
3. Photocopy of 2010 Income Tax Return (ITR) of both working parents (or guardian) or BIR Certification of Exemption from Non-Filing of ITR or Municipal/Barangay Certification of Unemployment, whichever is applicable;
4. Clear photocopy of Birth Certificate;
5. Clear photocopy of electric bills for three (3) consecutive months (preferably July, August and September 2011), registered to a family-member or duly-certified by a barangay official that the bills are paid by the family (for bills registered to a non-household member), or barangay certification of no electric connection from ESAMECO, whichever is appicable;
6. Test fee of P200.00 (for DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship applicants only)

The application forms and brochure can be obtained from the DOST-E. Samar Provincial S&T Center, Office of the Governor, Congressional District Office, DepEd Division Office, Office of the Municipal Mayors, and Office of the School Principals in all public and private high schools in the province. The same forms can be downloaded from the following websites: www.sei.dost.gov.ph and www.region8.dost.gov.ph.

Accomplished application forms and other requirements must be submitted to the DOST–E. Samar Provincial Science & Technology Center, DOST Bldg., ESSU Compound, Borongan City, Eastern Samar on or before October 21, 2011 (Friday). The examination will be held on November 20, 2011 (Sunday) at the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU), Borongan Campus.

For more information, please visit our office or call us at landline number (055) 261-2664 or call/text us using mobile number 0918.515.9990.

(Arnaldo T. Amosco Jr. DOST-E. Samar Provincial Director)
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DOST Installs Weather Monitoring Stations in Eastern Samar

The Department of Science and Technology -Eastern Samar Provincial S&T Center (DOST-Eastern Samar), in coordination with the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) and the DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has recently completed the installation of two (2) AUTOMATED WEATHER MONITORING STATIONS in Salcedo and Can-avid, Eastern Samar. These stations are part of the 180 weather stations that are being deployed all over the country to complement DOST-PAGASA’s weather monitoring facilities. The stations are stand-alone devices that measure weather-related parameters every 15 minutes and automatically transmit the data to DOST servers on real-time basis.

The station in Salcedo is called the Automated Weather Station (AWS) and is capable of real-time measurement of wind direction and speed, air temperature, humidity, air pressure, rain amount, rain intensity and duration. On the other hand, the Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) installed in Can-avid can only measure air pressure and rain amount in the area. The raw data acquired by the AWS and ARG stations are automatically posted on this website - http://202.90.149.66/predict/stations.php - which also contains the measurements acquired by other AWS and ARG stations built nationwide.

The deployment of these state-of-the-art weather tracking equipment are expected to eliminate subjectivity in manual weather observations and delays in data transmission through real-time monitoring of weather disturbances in every corner of the Philippine archipelago. Further, the said devices would play a crucial role in disaster preparedness and mitigation, especially during typhoons and floods, and are expected to result in lower rate of casualties and lesser number of damaged properties and livelihood.

For more information, please visit our office or call us at landline number (055) 261-2664 or call/text us using mobile number 0918.515.9990.
(Arnaldo T. Amosco DOST E. Samar Provincial Director)

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