S&T Gazette 2nd qtr 2015 by DOST CAR

April-June 2015 Vol. 7 No. 2

Official Publication of the Department of Science and Technology Cordillera Administrative Region

DOST-DEPED inks STARBOOKS Partnership in CAR

he Department of Science and Technology-CAR in partnership with the Department of Education-CAR signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the project entitled “Support to Science and Technology Education in CAR through the STARBOOKS Digital Library” on June 17, 2015 at the Provincial Science and Technology Center-Benguet Conference Room. Present during the MOA signing were Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST-CAR; Dr. Estela L. Cariño, Assistant Regional Director of DEPED-CAR, representing Dr. Ellen B. Donato, Regional Director of DEPED. Likewise, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, ARD for Technical Services, DOST-CAR and Dr. Ethielyn E. Taqued, EPSC, DEPED-CAR completed the roster of signatories in the MOA.

One of the STARBOOKS units deployed in CAR

The collaborative project aims to provide the DOST-STII developed Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk (STARBOOKS), the first digital science library in the Philippines, to the DEPED-CAR and DOST-CAR page 3

editorial board

quote for the day

editorial

Editor/Writer SHEILA MARIE SINGA-CLAVER Science Research Specialist II

This 2nd quarter edition of the Cordillera S&T Gazette is a special issue. We are highlighting the recent and previous feature stories of key Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) cooperators who successfully harnessed the merits of science, technology and innovation in their enterprises.

Lay-out and Design HANSI G. DINUMLA Science Research Analyst Contributors CECILLE C. GUAKI Project Assistant II- PSTC-Benguet

SETUP, the DOST’s banner program since its implementation in 2002 has successfully assisted thousands of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. Anchored on the fact that MSMEs account for 53% of the total employment generated by registered enterprises and represent around 60% of all exporting firms in the country (NSO data), DOST’s SETUP became a nationwide strategy in providing appropriate technology interventions to improve the firms. Specifically, the program enables MSMEs to address their technical problems and improve productivity and efficiency through the infusion of appropriate technologies; human resource training, technical assistance and consultancy services; design and execution of package and labels; assistance for compliance with regulatory and market standards including testing; and provision of assistance for technology acquisition.

JANICE A. BAWAS Clerk I Editorial Adviser/Consultant NANCY A. BANTOG ARD for Technical Services Editorial Consultants MARIA ROWENA C. MADARANG ARD for Finance and Administrative Services JULIUS CAESAR V. SICAT Regional Director

what’s inside Editorial News Stories DOST SOEP concluded... Feature Stories Kerobee Farm DOST Scholar BEAMA’s Agri-Products Balbin’s Furniture Kalinga Blend

SETUP Corner

Photo Releases

S & T Trivia

3 4 7 8 9 10

10 April-June 2 April - June2014 2015

Moreover, SETUP assists MSMEs under six (6) priority sectors namely (1) food processing; (2) furniture; (3) gifts, housewares, decors, handicrafts; (4) agriculture/marine aquaculture; (5) metals and engineering; and (6) others (including ICT, and pharmaceuticals and health products). For the Cordillera Administrative Region, a total of 295 enterprises have already been assisted since 2002. The food processing sector represents the biggest sector at 51.19% followed by GDH (14.58%), Furniture (13.22%), metals and engineering (12.88%), agriculture/marine/aquaculture (7.46%), and others (0.68%). MSMEs in the region are encouraged to visit the respective Provincial Science and Technology Centers (PSTCs) in their area to learn more about the program.//

page 8

s&t news DOST Scholarship...from page 1

provincial offices. The STARBOOKS, which aims to “make scientific information available to everyone” has recently been awarded the “Presidential Citation for Innovative International Library Project” by the American Library Association (ALA) last June 29, 2015 at the International Librarians Reception at the San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco, California, USA. According to the official announcement from the ALA, STARBOOKS was recognized for “making science and technology materials available to the general public in remote areas that have few information resources, no libraries and little or no Internet connectivity.” “Envisioned to bridge the gap in accessing the science and technology information especially in geographically isolated areas, STARBOOKS made its debut in 2011. Each STARBOOKS unit called “pod” contains thousands of materials in text, video and audio formats—featuring topics on food and nutrition, health and medicine, energy, environment, and livelihood technologies among others.” “In 2013, STARBOOKS beefed up its content with the integration of Britannica offline, made possible through STII’s partnership with Thistle International Inc., the official distributor of Britannica.” The STARBOOKS is highly appropriate in the Cordillera Administrative Region where the unique geographical terrain, among others, is limiting the internet connectivity in far-flung areas. As of June 2014, the DOST-CAR was able to install a total of 38 STARBOOKS in public and private schools in the region.

2015 SOEP for New DOST Scholars concluded The Summer Orientation and Enrichment Program (SOEP) of the DOST-Science Education Institute was conducted on June 1-29, 2015 at the Saint Louis University. A total of 157 new scholars in CAR attended the program, which aims to level-off the preparation of scholars in English, Mathematics and Physics Skills as well as to prepare them in their adjustment to college life. Scholars who attended the program were given stipends to serve as allowance during the month-long activity. The SOEP is a yearly program of the DOST to ensure that all DOST scholars are able to adjust to the demands of college education. This is especially important since scholars are required to maintain a set of acceptable grades in order to maintain their scholarship. Similarly, PsychoSocial Skills Development particularly on time and stress management, and commitment to country /nationalism were also included as topics in the SOEP. In the Cordillera region, a total of 187 scholarship applicants passed the National Competitive Examination held late last year. Of the 187, 160 scholars belong to the RA 7687 program and 27 under Merit scholarship program. The orientation and signing of the scholarship agreement was held on April 7, 2015 at the PSHS-CAR for all PSHS passers and on April 13-14 at the College of Teacher Education, Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet. School representatives from accredited Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) namely UP Baguio, SLU, University of the Cordilleras, and BSU were present to inform the new scholars of their respective school’s policies and guidelines.//smsc

Meanwhile, the 2015 partnership between DOST-CAR and DEPED-CAR aims to beef up the availability of the digital library to students, researchers and other stakeholders in the respective provincial offices. Deployment of the STARBOOKS is scheduled for the 3rd quarter of 2015.//smsc Source: http://www.stii.dost.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_ content&view=article&id=361%3Ama-luisa-s-lumioan-sat-mediaservice-dost-stiii&Itemid=1

feature Repositioning for Better Market Competition thru S&T Innovations: The Kerobee Farm of Tuba, Benguet The ladder of success may take time and effort for any manufacturing business, but what matters is… it is possible. In 1992, an enterprising man established the Kerobee Farms at Barangay Pula, Tuba, Benguet with honey as its main product line. The proprietor, Mr. Romeo Kimbungan, who is described by family and friends as a man who finds quick and clever ways to overcome limitations, left to work as an overseas contract worker when the business was threatened due to financial constraints. After saving enough capital for about three (3) years, Mr. Kimbungan returned in 1997 to pursue his beekeeping business, doing his own research and experiment in the process. In 2002, Mr. Kimbungan met another setback when he suffered from a heart valve prolapse that greatly affected his working performance. According to him, the prescribed medications were not working and being the innovative man that he is, Mr. Kimbungan did his own research on how to improve his health condition. He started collecting and using various herbs until he eventually recovered after a year. The positive result on his health resulted to his advocacy for herbal medications as he decided to source out and market herbal teas. “We tried to sell loose tea, wherein we manually dried and packed herbal leaves and these easily sold out in the market”, Mr. Kimbungan said. Seeing the market potential of this particular enterprise pushed Mr. Kimbungan even further to establish his own organic herbal production. The Kerobee Farm then expanded its product lines to include organic vegetables and herbal plants in 2008. Organically grown vegetables include lettuce, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, sugar beets, and beans while herbal plants include lemon grass and yacon. Production of herbs was minimal since these were grown in open field conditions. Moreover, other herbs needed for processing were still being sourced out by the cooperator. Meanwhile, the Kerobee Farm became a registered member of the La Trinidad Organic Practitioners (LaTOP) Multi-Purpose Cooperative, the marketing center of organic herbal plants, vegetables and processed products. The cooperative was formed to promote organic fresh vegetables and herbal plants. The increasing demand for organic products opened doors for the cooperative not only in the province of Benguet and Baguio City but also in Metro Manila. The high demand for organic produce challenged the Kerobee farm to increase its production, however, the make-shift technology they use as greenhouse limited the farm’s potential. The greenhouse was made of bamboo and covered with plastic which was easily damaged especially during strong rains and typhoons.

April - June 2015

feature Recognizing that the answer to his problem is the infusion of appropriate technology assistance, Mr. Kimbungan approached the Department of Science and Technology through the Provincial Science and Technology Center- Benguet to avail of the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). Through DOST-SETUP, Kerobee Farm was able to upgrade its greenhouse technology in 2010. The adoption of the greenhouse farming technology enabled the farm to improve its production efficiency. The firm can now grow crops year-round. Yield is often higher, since the facility can provide optimum growing conditions for the crops. Because protected crops are less susceptible to wind, rain, and hail, the percentage of marketable products is also higher. In fact, the farm’s annual production yield and gross sales increased to a maximum of 342%. Moreover, rejects from fresh vegetables reduced from 5% to 2%; and damage to crops decreased by 10%. The firm was also able to save 100% on repair and maintenance of the greenhouse. Mr. Kimbungan, who envisions the Kerobee Farm to be a globally competitive enterprise was not content on crop production alone. He moved a step further when he decided to include tea processing in his business. His background in mechanical engineering was actually used to solve the limitations of sun and air drying. Mr. Kimbungan installed a solar dryer in his farm for pre-drying of herbal leaves and he designed and fabricated his own wood dryer until he eventually came up with a stainless dryer, all of which ensured the optimum quality of his tea processing business. As a result, the firm now produces processed teas such as banaba, lemon grass, gipah, yacon, guyabano, dandelion, ginger, turmeric, gotokola, strawberry and wheat grass. The tea processing business also enabled the firm to penetrate cooperatives and malls not only in Baguio City and Benguet but also in Quezon City, Manila, Tagaytay, Nueva Vizcaya, and as far as Mindanao.

behind. I keep innovating to satisfy the customers and to be globally competitive”. The Kerobee Farm is also open to local and foreign tourists since it is one of the eco-tourism sites in the highlands. Similarly, it caters to On-Job-Trainees from different universities as a learning avenue on organic farming and business management. Mr. Romeo Kimbungan also serves as trainer on beekeeping and organic farming. The years of commitment and integrity in this line of business was duly recognized by various entities. The Kerobee farm was awarded as the Benguet Outstanding Agri- Enterprenuer in 2011; the Regional Gawad Saka Winner for the period 2010-2011; one of the top three national finalists in the Search for Outstanding Agri-Entrepreneur Farmer in 2011; the Benguet Agricultural Achiever in 2013; and the Regional Gawad- Saka Winner in 2014. Just recently, Kerobee Farm was included in the top 3 finalists for the 2014 Best SETUP Adoptor for the 2015 National Science and Technology Week. At present, the Kerobee Farm continues to increase its product lines. The latest products include honey vinaigrette with herbs (salad dressing), honey calamansi concentrate, herbal wine 7-in-1, honey turmeric drinks with lemon, and even organic lip balm. Likewise, it is starting to establish market outlets in the international market, starting with Canada. The ladder of success is not to be easily won. For the Kerobee Farm, initiative, innovation and dedication played a key role in shaping it into what it is today, a competitive highland organic farm meeting global challenges head on! //cecil c. guaki, pstc-benguet staff

Consistent with the DOST’s holistic provision of technology interventions, the DOST-CAR continued to provide the necessary technology assistance to the firm through the provision of Nutrifacts analysis for four (4) tea products. Moreover, Mr. Kimbungan was provided with trainings/seminars on Good Manufacturing Practices, HACCP, and ISO. Additionally, the firm is a beneficiary of the MPEX Technical Consultancy Program as well as the improvement of the farm’s packaging materials and label designs. In 2014, Mr. Kimbungan, as a responsible cooperator graduated from Phase I of the SETUP assistance he availed in 2010. Phase II of DOST’s SETUP assistance was approved on June 19, 2014 with focus on equipment upgrading to introduce innovations in tea packaging. As Mr. Kimbungan said, “I am targeting that every year; there is an innovation in my products for the business not to be left

set-up corner

2nd Quarter SETUP Update The Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region is continuously implementing the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) to assist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to improve their productivity and competitiveness. From January to June 2015, six (6) core project proposals were approved from different MSMEs in the provinces of Apayao (1), Benguet (3) and Mountain Province (2) amounting to PhP2,126,200.00. Most of these approved proposals fall under the food sector and only one is under the furniture sector. The approved project proposals are as follows:

Province

Project Title

Approved Amount

Firm /Cooperator/Address

Apayao

Upgrading of Facilities for the Production of Plain Miki and Veggie Enriched Noodles of Joyce Mikihan

Php120,000.00

Joyce Mikihan Ms. Sharon Agpuldo Amado, Pudtol, Apayao

Benguet

Improving the Productivity and Product Quality of D' Carver wood Works Through a CNC Automatic Wood Lathe Machine

Php642,500.00

D’ Quality Carvers Wood Works Mr. Daniel B. Topiagon Km 4, Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet

Improving the Production Efficiency of Ebai's Café and Pastry

Php547,200.00

Ebai’s Café and Pastry Ms. Lucia C. Catanes # 151,Upper Session Road, Engineers Hill, Baguio City

Upgrading of Inglay's Baking Production Process through Technology Intervention

Php574,500.00

Inglay Restaurant & Bakeshop Ms. Mary Inglay C. Fokno IC-15,Km 6, Betag, La Trinidad, Benguet

Upgrading the Production Equipment of Mantaw Bakery

Php275,483.87*

Mantaw Bakery Ms. Mariana A. Salipio Poblacion, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Upgrading the Equipment of HF Cups and Cakes Through Science and Technology Intervention

Php242,000.00

HF Cups & Cakes Ms. Henrietta P. Longbuan Km 101, Halsema Road, Mt. Data, Bauko, Mt. Province

Mt. Province

Total

Php2,126,200.00

*P245,488.87 s not included in the total amount of SETUP core approved projects since the equipment retrieved from a terminated project was transferred to the cooperator.

Meanwhile, other SETUP core project proposals submitted are still under evaluation.

April - June2015 2015 April-June

feature

Five Years (and Hopefully Just Two More Months) an Engineering Student

Kurt Chan, DOST Scholar

y story begins in high school. I forgot who told me but I came to know about “a government scholarship” offered to incoming college students. Of course, I took the chance, knowing I’ll be having a hard time getting funds for college. Was I the bright model student? Nope. When the qualifying exams came, I was a little late (just a little late, really). Upon opening the gate to the venue (which was University of Baguio’s gymnasium, by the way), almost every person on the back of the gym looked my way. Hot-faced and hot-eared, I listened to the instructions and took the exams. Fast-forward for some months, I was with other scholars who were to study at the same school I enrolled in, Saint Louis University, for the SOEP (yep, good times!). I gained friends and knowledge. During those days, I thought, if college was like this, maybe, just maybe, I can get through without incident. Slowly, without knowing it, pressure built up. Then two years later, I got my first suspension. WHOA! Wait, what? Let’s backtrack a bit. My first three semesters were awesome. New faces and new atmosphere (no, not “new environment” since I already had a taste of what’s to come) mixed with the old. Heck, I get to be classmates with my academic rival in high school on my first semester, have my mother’s childhood friend as one of my instructors on my second semester (no favoritism, promise) and be seatmates with my (ahem!) high school sweetheart on my third semester. By the end of each semester, the average of my grades was able to reach the minimum of 85. Ah, so far so good. But then, things went downhill. On the second semester of my second year, I got my first failing subject. No, it’s not one of my final grades. Rather, it was in the prelims. Being my first, I got depressed and all that. Fortunately, I passed that subject in the end. On the downside, my average didn’t hit 85. Thus, the first suspension came. I mentioned about a failing final grade. Ah, dear readers, those were desperate times indeed! That was two

semesters later. Vividly, I remember walking the stairs towards the technical department of the DOSTCAR Regional Office to receive my verdict. I was with my friends to submit our hopes. Despite the calm exterior, my heart was pounding really hard as I waited for my turn to submit the requirements. I thought my scholarship was a goner, yet I tell you, when I stepped out of that building, I was so happy I could have died (well, not really). This would sound weird but I was glad it was a suspension. Compared to a termination, why wouldn’t I celebrate? After that, I tried really hard to pull my grades up, not just for the sake of my scholarship, but for my future as well. I actually had been slacking during the past years. The note I received from the DOST Taguig Office sort of woke me up. Of course it hasn’t been easy sailing. I failed three more subjects after that, one during my fourth year and two during my fifth year. As of this writing (just to be clear, I just looked and it’s 10:45 on the clock of April 3, 2014), I’m about to attend my (hopefully) final summer term in four days. Thinking back, despite all my shenanigans, I’ve been blessed to part of the program. For obvious reasons, the financial assistance, for which I am very grateful for, was a big help. But it’s more than that. During this five-year journey, I learned a lot of things. I could list them all down one by one, but that would take a lot of space. Maybe the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s quote is applicable for one of the most important lessons I picked up. In one of his speeches, he said “If you are going to go through hell, keep going.” Well, it worked for me. It might work for you too! Note: Mr. Kurt Chan was a DOST Scholar for the period 20092014 and graduated as BS Mechanical Engineer from Saint Louis University on May 23, 2014. He is currently working as an Engineer I at the EMS Research Technology Inc. in Biñan, Laguna.//

feature TBG Farms, for a sustainable Tilapia fingerling production

Herds of goats, rice terraces, tilapia ponds and a bachelorwere Sec. Estrella Alabastro’s adjectives in describing the diversified TBG Farms during a SETUP project visit conducted in 2009.Those coupled with a respectable monthly income could entice a lady in search of a good husband during this time of economic crisis, the thenDOST Secretary added.

(size 22) and 20,000 pcs (size 20) fingerlingswas achieved as well as the expansion of product lines to include sexreversed tilapia which are Lamut,Ifugao and Solano, Nueva Viscaya. Consequently, the TBG farms was able to achieve a 136.3% increase on the gross annual sales as of CY 2014 resulting to Mr. Guimbatan’s full repayment of the SETUP assistance.

The TBG Farms, a six-hectare farm owned and managed by Mr. Timothy B. Guimbatan is located at Pugol, Lamut, Ifugao. The farm was established in 2001 mainly for goat rearing and rice farming. However, after a year, the TBGfarms started to develop some part of the farm into fish ponds to grow tilapia for the local market. It started with 50 tilapia breeders to augment the fingerling demand in the locality. Presently, the farm’s major produce are tilapia and tilapia fingerlings. It also employs two regular and two part time workers excluding the owner.

The TBG Farms, being a recipient of the Consultancy for Agricultural Productivity and Enhancement (CAPE) was able to upgrade its skills and knowledge on grow-out tilapia specifically on the proper maintenance of growout tilapia pond and practicing hapa (net) method. Skills in fingerling production was likewise enhanced through the consultancy program. Specifically, BFAR-Muñoz was tapped for technical support particularly in the management of breeders.

In terms of networking, Mr. Guimbatan effectively tapped available support from the government. Both On wanting to expand his tilapia production facilities, the provincial government of Ifugao and municipal Mr. Guimbatan availed of the DOST SETUP in 2007 to government of Lamut have also provided the needed enable him to improve his farm’s production process. support in terms of the operations and promotion of the Objectives of the project were to upgrade the Pugol tilapia fish farm. In fact, the TBG Farms was included in their hatchery; to increase fingerling production volume; to fishery development program such that the firm is actually increase the income generated; and to improve the skills a convergence of assistance by the DOST and the LGUs. of the fish farm manager and workers through appropriate technology trainings on hatchery operation and fingerling To further improve the farm’s operation, the owner production. conducts continuous research and market promotion as well as participation in related meetings and seminars As a result of the technology intervention, the farm and implementation of new or updated techniques in is able to produce 1,400 kgs of fresh tilapia from the 470 the improvement of the fish farm with the assistance of kgs prior to the intervention. Similarly, a 130% increase, DOST. Mr. Guimbatan’s determination to succeed in his from 130,000 pcs of size 20 fingerlings to 280,000 pcs chosen enterprise has proven yet again, that hard work will pay off great dividends in the future.//jds

April - June 2015

feature Abra-Based Furniture Company Now Reaching the World

In today’s international furniture market, the Philippines ranks high among other importing countries. Considered the Milan of Asia, the Philippine trademark of quality craftsmanship and unique indigenous designs ensure a competitive spot among the best in the world market. According to the National Statistics Office’s Merchandise Export Performance released in October 2008, the woodcrafts and furniture industry ranks 5th with export receipts of $101.7 million. Results show a substantial growth of 31.3% from $77.46 million in August 2007. Likewise, statistics show that wood and rattan products are the major product lines exported to different countries in the world, the biggest exporters of which are Japan, USA, China, Hong Kong and the Netherlands. In the Cordillera Administrative Region, the furniture industry continues to bloom despite of the problems on the sources of wood for production. The Balbin’s Furniture based in Bangued, Abra, for example, continues to grow despite the increasing challenges faced in furniture production. This firm is owned and managed by Mr. Romeo M. Balbin and it specializes on furniture products and other products made from bamboo. The firm has over 20 years experience in the furniture business, having registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 1986. Since then, tireless efforts were done by the owner to ensure the expansion of the firm’s production and market. The firm has likewise tapped several government agencies for assistance, one of which is the Department of Science and Technology-CAR through its Abra Science and Technology Center. Initially, assistance on the improvement of label and design for bamboo handicrafts were provided. This endeavor had a significant impact on the firm as indicated by the improvement on the marketability of products and the development of more product lines.

through the DOST Small Enterprise Technology and Upgrading Program (SET-UP), an initiative designed to support and provide appropriate technological assistance to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. Through SET-UP, the firm was able to acquire additional equipment to improve their production process. Consequently, the production process was improved and the quality of products was enhanced. This is the first SETUP project availed of by the Balbin’s Furniture which was completed in 2010. The Balbin’s Furniture is also the first to produce kawayan tiles in the country. In fact, the kawayan tiles were exhibited at national exhibits and response to the product, both local and international was very encouraging. Likewise, mass production of the tiles became feasible because of the establishment of a kiln dryer in the production area of the company. This is due in part, to the technical assistance of DOST SET-UP. As an offshoot of this particular product, the Balbin’s Furniture availed of the SETUP assistance for the project entitled “Eco-Recycling with the Production of Industrial Deodorizer from Trimmings and Sawdust of Bamboo and Wood of Balbin’s Furniture” in 2012. Even while the firm was developing and expanding its operations, opportunities for marketing their products outside of the country were explored. Through their attendance to various trade fairs and exhibits both here and abroad, Balbin’s Furniture was able to establish linkages that have made their firm even stronger in the lucrative furniture industry. The firm’s success can be credited to their innovation, determination and hard work. In addition, tapping of resources that are available in the government also provided the necessary boost for the firm’s development. To date, the Balbin’s furniture is continuously growing, working its way to becoming one of the top exporters of furniture in the country.//smsc

In 2005, the firm was again assisted by DOST-CAR

feature

Kalinga Blend Coffee Blended to Satisfy the Coffee Drinker in You!

The Cordillera Administrative Region is known to be a premier coffee producer in the country. The aromatic Arabica coffee grows in the upland provinces like Benguet, Ifugao and Mountain Province while Robusta and Excelsa varieties are grown abundantly in low lying areas of Kalinga and Apayao. Relying on the strength of the region in the production of coffee as well as the inherent culture of coffee drinking in the Cordilleras and the country, several businesses under the coffee processing sector has flourished. One of this is the KALINGA BLEND, a Kalinga-based enterprise owned and managed by Ms. Grace Agtina. The firm, which is a single proprietorship business located in Iniquez St., Poblacion, Tabuk, Kalinga, was registered in March 6, 2007 under the name OUR TRIBE FOOD PRODUCTS, with KALINGA BLEND as its brand name. The product has quickly become very popular to coffee aficionados because of its distinct perfect blend of three (3) coffee varieties namely Arabica, Robusta and Excelsa. According to Ms. Agtina, the idea to come up with a combination of the three famous Kalinga coffee varieties came to her after she noticed that before harvest time, “there is a shortage of processed coffee products in the province and that the price of the raw coffee beans in the market rises sharply.” She added, “this should not be the case. With all the coffee farms in the province, there is a great potential of the coffee processing business.” The company has likewise provided coffee processing and marketing services to farmers in the province such that they no longer have to go to the neighboring provinces of Cagayan and Isabela to market their produce. Raw materials are sourced from the Lubuagan Coffee Growers Association, Pinukpuk Coffee Growers, Bantay Coffee Growers Association, individual coffee growers in the municipalities of Kalinga (except Rizal) and in the provinces of Apayao and Ifugao. It should likewise be noted that

April - June 2015

the company procures coffee beans from credible organic coffee producers. Initially, the company started with a meager capitalization of P300,000.00 but has continuously infused funds to commercialize their products. In addition to the company’s innovativeness, government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTICAR) and the Local Government of Tabuk has provided the appropriate interventions needed to further expand its operations. KALINGA BLEND only started to be fully operational when the product was launched by the DTI-Kalinga Provincial Office on July 16, 2007 on the occasion of the 56th Tabuk day simultaneous with the celebration of its festival, the 9th PATAWID festival. To further enhance the product as well as to increase its marketability and appeal to discriminating customers, the DOST through the Packaging Research and Development Center (PRDC) has prepared the packaging and labeling of the product. In 2008, the company was again assisted through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SET-UP) of DOST. The project, which aimed to improve the production process of the company through equipment acquisition, technology trainings and technical consultancy services (MPEX), was approved on October 15, 2008. Funds were provided to acquire coffee processing equipment such as coffee roasting machine, heavy duty coffee grinding machine, band sealer, and stainless coffee containers, and packaging materials that has further enhanced the product. Today, KALINGA BLEND produces about 4,000 packs of 400g and 200g content per pack of roasted ground coffee per month with its already mechanized production operation. It also employs 6 full time workers and 2 part time student workers (smsc).

photo releases

STARBOOKS MOA Signing on June 17, 2015 during the DOST-CAR Kapihan at the PSTC-Benguet, BSU Cmpd., La Trinidad, Benguet.

SETUP Project Monitoring at the Bea Grace Tailoring, Bakakeng, Baguio City on April 17, 2015.

SETUP Project Monitoring at the ENCA Farms, Tublay, Benguet on April 16, 2015.

SETUP Project Monitoring at the Milaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bakeshop, Lamut, Ifugao on May 11, 2015

DOST-Project Monitoring in Bokod in April 2015.

s & t trivia “Dr. Baldomero Olivera, a UP Summa cum Laude graduate, discovered conotoxins, a bunch of biomolecules in Philippine marine snails now used in international neuroscience research. A seacone known scientifically as Conus lapulapu was named after Lapulapu, the Philippine hero who killed Ferdinand Magellan in war.” “Diosdado Banatao, an engineer from Cagayan, Philippines, pioneered graphics acceleration, introducing the world’s 1st graphical user interface (GUI) accelerator. He also contributed designs like the ethernet, a networking protocol plugged into PCs. Asian-Indian Vinod Dham made the Pentium chip for Intel and the K6 processor for AMD.” “The inventor of the one-chip video camera was Marc Loinaz, a Filipino resident of New Jersey who works with Lucent Technologies. He was featured in the July 1999 issue of Discover Magazine.” “Edward Sanchez, a Mensan, bagged the grand prize in the first Philippine Search for Product Excellence in Information Technology.” “Who pioneered the padding or translational technique now widely used in complexity theory? Dr. Carlos H. Ibarra, a Filipino professor at University of California (Santa Barbara) who has been a leading researcher on the design and analysis of algorithms, the theory of computation, computational complexity, parallel computing and digital libraries.” “Dr. Jose B. Cruz used engineering and mathematics to devise the comparison sensitivity matrix for evaluating changes occurring in different components - from the parts of an ordinary flashlight to the automatic control and feedback of a Patriot missile. He graduated Summa cum Laude from the University of the Philippines.” “Filipino astronomers Edwin Aguirre and Imelda Joson discovered Asteroid 6282 (called Edwelda after their first names), an asteroid orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter.”

“Who created the Lunar Rover or moon buggy used in 1969 by American astronauts who first landed on the moon? A Filipino employee of Lockheed Corporation christened Eduardo San Juan.” “Flying in 1954 at the Manila International Airport, the airplane with an engine using alcohol was invented by Dr. Gregorio Zara (born on March 8, 1902). He also made the TV-telephone (videophone), a device that enables callers to view each other onscreen.” “Filipino Eugene Resos designed the pilot seat for Boeing 747 jumbo jet in 1968.” “The first Filipina engineer to become NASA Space Mission manager was Angelita Albano Castro Kelly, who studied Mathematics/Physics at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and finished Summa cum Laude. She traces her roots to Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.” “Dr. Josefino Comiso, a Filipino physicist with NASA, first discovered a recurring polynya (semipermanent area of open water in sea ice) in the Cosmonaut Sea, south of the Indian Ocean.” “The 22-watt reflectorized circular lamp was built in a wooden box by Eduardo Sta. Ines. The auxiliary is a plastic diffuser and a stainlesssteel reflector that gives a bright and wide illuminator.” “Ironmate, a device that automatically shuts off electricity when a flatiron is rested on it, was designed by Rodolfo Biescas Sr. of Albay, Philippines.” “Camilo M. Tabalba, a Filipino engineer, headed a team to make the telephone electronic in 1970. By 1975, he published his findings, including the development of the dynamic transducer (a transmission circuit replacing the carbon transmitter). His work helped in the development of the modern Touchtone phone.” Source: science.ph

“If principle is good for anything, it is worth living up to.” Benjamin Franklin

Department of Science & Technology Cordillera Administrative Region Km. 6, La Trinidad, Benguet ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________

April - June 2015