DOST to hold Summer Science Getaway

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR, March 18 (PIA) -- The local offices of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Confederation of Scientific and Professional Organizations (COSPO) are inviting Siquijor student delegates to the 2012 Summer Science Getaway (SSG).

The activity will be held from April 18 to 19, 2012 at DOST Lahug S & T Complex, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City.

DOST Siquijor Provincial Director Engr. Mario de la Pena said target participants to the science camp are students with ages ranging from 9 to 16 years -year old.

To cover the cost for meals, kits, and activity materials for the two-day science camp, the participants will be charged P 2,500 each, he said.

However, a discount of P500 is given to those who register and pay on or before April 10, 2012.

The 2012 Summer Science Get-away is the third of the series, following successful camps in 2008 and 2011.

The camp is aimed at popularizing science, especially biology, chemistry, and physics among youngsters. This event stimulates the interest of kids in science by giving them opportunities to experiment through fun activities.

It is designed to capture the imagination of budding young scientists and instill to them a sense of enthusiasm and inquisitiveness about science giving them a fascinating look at the world.

As slots are limited, interested delegates are advised to submit their registration form as soon as possible to confirm their registration.

For more details about the event, contact Engr. de la Pena of DOSt-Siqujor, Siquijor, or call telephone no. 344-2008.

Registration is on a first-come-first-served basis. (rmn/rac/PIA-Squijor)

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Siquijor’ greening program has high survival rate- PENRO

By Rizalie A. Calibo

LARENA, Siquijor March 18 (PIA) --Trees planted in Siquijor province as part of the greening program achieved a high survival rate, the highest in Central Visayas so far.

This was bared by Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Antonio Cabrido in an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) recently.

Cabrido said the office has a goal target of 250 hectares in 2011, all of which were planted with different varieties of trees. Survival rate was 83%, he said.

Cabrido attributed the success to the cooperation of the different agencies and the people’s organizations (POs) particularly in the upland areas where planting of trees were focused in the greening program. He said their active involvement and the DENR’s on-time payment of the reforestation contract contributed much to the 100 percent accomplishment and high survival rate of planted trees.

DENR earlier signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine National Police and the POs for the reforestation program in the province.

"This year and 2013, we targeted another 620 hectares of upland areas for the program. We are now networking with the Department of Agriculture to ensure implementation and compliance of Executive Order 26 that declares interdepartmental convergence initiative for a national greening program (NGP)," said Cabrido.

The program calls for a consolidation and harmonization of all greening efforts such as Upland Development Program and similar initiatives of the government, civil society and private sector under the NGP.

He said there is even a proposal for the establishment of Balite Forestation for the watershed in Siquijor. At present, the DENR has initially propagated and planted a hundred of Balite seedlings along river banks for the province’s rehabilitation program. (rmn/rac/PIA-Siquijor)

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DOST releases P0.2 M to women’s association

By Rizalie A. Calibo

SIQUIJOR March 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Siquijor Provincial Science and Technology Center released Tuesday a total of P200,000 to the Basak Womens Association which is a beneficiary of its Small Enterprises Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

Basak Women’s Association chair Ester Tomimbang received the check from DOST Provincial Director Mario de la Pena at the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office in Siquijor, Siquijor.

Engr. de la Pena said the DOST's assistance primarily seeks to upgrade the processing capability of Basak Women’s Association for the production of vegetable-based noodles with the specific objetive of introducing vegetable-based noodle technology.

It also aims to provide opportunity for local farmers by creating new market for their squash produce, and to increase production volume by 100% based on the 2011 gross income and to generate employment in the barangay, he said.

De la Pena said the amount is intended for the upgrading of its production equipment, specifically the purchase of a noodle-making machine, mixing machine, big cooking vat, continuous band sealer, stainless top working table and stainless fryer with digital thermometer.

The SETUP program of DOST has expanded its beneficiaries from single proprietorship small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to associations or cooperatives as community based projects, he said.

The DOST Secretary has intensified its move to assisting community-based projects in the countryside.

The giving of check was witnessed by Larena town Vice Mayor Ronie Villa, association secretary Nida Tacang, and Engr. Roland Padayhag of DOST. (rmn/rac/PIA-Siquijor/MEP/DOST)