DOST calls on Filipinos to make Science & Tech an integral part of life

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Jan. 6 (PIA)--The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) commits itself to fully implement its 5-Point Development Program this year and beyond in line with the Aquino Administration’s national development agenda.

This was said as DOST Secretary Mario Montejo cited in his 2011 yearend message the breakthroughs and achievements of the science department in the service to the nation in the last 12 months. 

“We want to enjoin everyone to make Science & Technology an integral part of your lives,” Montejo added.

‎In his message shared by the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) to the PIA, Montejo said  the DOST will first, explore the avenues opened by public-private partnerships in order to use Science and Technology (S&T) to solve pressing national problems.

“We will rely heavily on our research and development programs to address dengue, telehealth services, potable water, malnutrition, rice shortage, brown/fortified rice, baby food program, coral reef rehabilitation, disaster mitigation, red tide control and management, and the Fusarium Wilt infestation problem affecting our banana plantations, among others,” he said.

Second, Montejo said, the department will develop and diffuse appropriate technologies to create growth in the countryside, such as world class technology-based products, food processing technologies, and super farms.

Third, the DOST vowed to improve industry competitiveness citing  the already launched Automated Gateway Transit System, while under various stages of development and prototyping are technologies that can raise the productivity of industries spanning BPO, electronics, renewable energy (solar, wind), and mining industry (gold, copper, nickel pilot processing plant).

Fourth, he said, is the use of S&T to enhance the delivery of government and social services.

Initiatives along this line include the Government Broadband Network, National Telehealth Services, and the National 3D mapping, he said.

“Finally, we will build and enhance capacity in emerging technologies such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, genomics, advanced food production technology, and advanced manufacturing systems like in robotics and automated process control,” he also said.

“Our motto has always been “local technology works,” Montejo added that as such DOSTwill always promote local technologies toward the nurturing of a business environment that addresses the special needs of technology-based entrepreneurship.

 “It is our wish to impress upon our publics the impact of DOST’s mandate in accelerating the pace of knowledge-driven development in accordance with its growth potential in the country,” Montejo concluded. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor & DOST-Siquijor)

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Siquijor police enforces stricter road policies

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, January 6 (PIA) --The Philippine National Police in Siquijor now implements stricter road policies to reduce the number of road mishaps in the province and to curb criminality.

Lazi Police Station Inspector Romeo Cubo said they are strictly implementing the helmet and “no plate, no ride” policies to seriously solve criminality, reduce road accidents and maintain peace and order in Siquijor.

He said that following the helmet policy, the “no plate no ride policy” has also been strengthened and started two months ago in Lazi town with the apprehension of motorists traveling with no plate.

Cubo said most of the road mishaps involve those vehicles or motorcycles that do not have plates. He added that plate numbers must be displayed, and motorbike riders must wear helmets otherwise they will be apprehended. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor

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Siquijor woman farmer makes it to the national 2011 Rural Women Award

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

SIQUIJOR, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- A Siquijor woman farmer bagged third in the 2011 Rural Women Award at the national level as one of the outstanding women in the field of agriculture. 

A report from the Siquijor Provincial Agriculture says Martina Tumala-Inapan, 53, from barangay Cansayang, San Juan,  Siquijor  has been  into Diversified and Integrated Farming System since this was introduced to her a few years back.   

She is one of the five exceptional women from different regions in the country  awarded as most Outstanding Rural Women by the Department of Agriculture (DA), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) and other members of the Inter-Agency Committee on Rural Women, the report said.

Inapan received P20T cash prize and a citation from the DA Gender and Development Focal System and the Inter-agency Committee on Rural Women.

The search for outstanding rural women aims to recognize rural women with exceptional abilities and contributions particularly in the fields of farming and fishing that uplift the lives of the people in the community.

Martina, the report said is wife of a retired military officer and a mother of five who are all involved in their family’s farming activities-- planting, weeding and harvesting operations and even in the marketing of their farm produce.

Martina works from dawn to dusk to be able to augment their family’s  meager income which her husband received from his employment.

With the 1.0 hectare lot that she inherited from parents, Martina slowly transformed the once rocky soil into a productive rice farm and some portions being planted with assorted vegetables and rootcrops.

Today, one is astounded at the sight of varied ornamentals planted in rows, several ponds of tilapia, assorted fruit and forest trees and banana plants grown in patches around the close to 7-hectare farm.

An advocate of the integrated pest management and environmental preservation, Martina produces her own vermicast and carbonized rice hull and compost as a source of fertilizer.

The family also produces its own feed formulation for both livestock and tilapia feeds out of the rice and corn mill that they own and operate. The family also owns a floating tiller and thresher, and other farm implements which they consider as their partners in making an enterprise out of farming, the report reads.

Martina said she acquired knowledge that embraces new technologies and implemented it on her farm. It enables her family members in farm works.

 Neighboring families, too, augmented their family income little by little after doing farming with their help.

According to Cansayang Barangay Captain Lilia Tumala, Inapan’s leadership is a very good example to the neighborhood. She let her neighbors learn same farming technologies and her farm is open to all farmers and visitors.

 “Isip usa ka babaye nga gitagaan ug higayon ga mamahimong usa kalider sa among dapit, gikalipay nako’g dako nga makahatag ug maayong pagtulun-an nila ilabi na sa pagpanguma aron dugang makatubag sa panginahanglanon sa pagkaon,” Inapan said. (As a woman that has been given the respect to lead the women in the community, I am so pleased that I can teach them new farming techniques especially those that can augment family income.)  

DA Secretary Proceso Alcala has recognized that rural women are not just ‘helpers’of their farmer or fisher-husbands. Instead, rural women are also the decision makers in looking for capital, selecting the crops, record keeping of finances, and paying of debts.

The DA in Siquijor headed by Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer Bernadith Bunado with Institutional Development Service Staff of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, Roseslyn Bonachita, Vidalita Gom-os and Chuchie Cherry Gamo expressed their appreciation to Martina for bringing "woman power" at the national level.

Other outstanding women awardeess are Myrna Conmigo-Acayen of Barangay Digdigon, Goa, Camarines Sur as “Outstanding Rural Woman of the Year”;  (1st to 4th runners-up): Remia Navarro-Apostol of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Rebecca Castro-Tubongbanua of Buenavista, Guimaras; and Virginia Dentero-Dureza of Brookespoint, Palawan. They also received cash prizes and citations. (mbcn/rac/PIA-Siquijor with reports from OPA/DA-PATCO)