The 2023 1Q issue of the Cordillera S&T Gazette is out now!

Upgraded cold chain facility inaugurated in Benguet

La Trinidad, Benguet – Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Benguet inaugurated the upgraded Benguet Cold Chain (BCC) with a newly installed packaging line and cold storage chambers on March 21, 2023 at Wangal, La Trinidad, Benguet.

Benguet Governor Hon. Melchor

D. Diclas, DOST Undersecretary for Research & Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia, La Trinidad Mayor Hon. Romeo

K. Salda, PLGU-Benguet Provincial

Agriculturist Ms. Delinia Juan, DOSTITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, and DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog led the inauguration of the facility.

The DOST has provided PhP 8.4M worth of equipment for the packaging line as well as appropriate capability-building activities for the BCC stakeholders. Likewise, the Benguet PLGU allotted P6.2M for the building renovations to house this collaborative project.

The joint project is under the DOST’s Smart Food Value Chain Program for

the New Normal which aims to upgrade the capability of existing distribution centers/trading posts in the delivery of fresh and semi-processed agricultural products through the application of appropriate packaging technology and delivery system.

Governor Diclas reported that every peak season, Benguet produced over a million kilos of vegetables but postharvest losses remain a problem for highland farmers.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., in his virtual message, explained that “losses can be significantly reduced with an appropriate packaging system and post-harvest technologies.”

With this upgraded facility, Benguet Farmers can now produce packed fresh, semi-processed, and ready-toeat highland vegetables.

Usec. Buendia hopes that the project will be in full operation towards the middle of the year generating additional income for the Benguet farmers and decreasing post-harvest losses by at least 20%.

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WHAT’S INSIDE

(From left, front row) La Trinidad Mayor Hon. Romeo K. Salda, Benguet Governor Hon. Melchor D. Diclas, DOST Undersecretary for Research & Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia, DOST-ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, and DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog lead the inauguration of the Upgraded Benguet Cold Chain facility.

■ MARY JOY FERRER

Locals in Ambongdolan, Tublay learn bamboo craft making, p.3

Cordillera disaster responders, LGUs level up skills on risk assessment thru CLEARS project, p.18

1,825 aspiring scholars take on the 2023 DOST-SEI Scholarship Exam in CAR, p.20

■ BANNY LYN ANDRES

DOST-CAR promotes Eco-Friendly Technologies

The Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) together with DOST Office of the Undersecretary for Regional Operations (OUSecRO) conducted a Technology Forum on Eco-Friendly Technologies on February 7, 2023, held at the Hotel Elizabeth, Baguio City.

DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog said that the forum was designed to promote the three (3) technologies in response to the identified needs of the communities and it is part of the series of activities in institutionalizing the DOST’s program portfolio on smart and sustainable communities.

The technologies promoted during the forum were the Materials Recovery Facility for Solid Waste Management of the Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services, Inc.; Hybrid Generator System of Lead Core Technology System, Inc.; and Portasol Multi-Purpose Grains Solar Dryer invented by Mr. Francisco Pagayon, Chairman of Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative (FISPC).

Engr. Victoriano Ocon of Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services, Inc. discussed that the Materials Recovery Facility will answer concerns in waste management for highly urbanized areas especially in protecting the citizens from bio-hazards and physical harm while promoting sanitation and recycling.

Meanwhile, the other two technologies are well applicable technologies in rural areas. Portasol is a practical and convertible material used for drying agricultural commodities while Hybrid Generator System of LTCSI led by Engr. Jimson Uranza can be operated independently as the main power supply in the area without electricity or when there is a network blackout.

With these technologies, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang highlighted the need to translate this event to technology adoption by the participants.

The activity was attended by the representatives from Local Government Units, Department of Agriculture-CAR, Environmental Management BureauCAR, DOST Region 1 headed by OICRegional Director Teresita Tabaog, and

DOST-CAR Provincial S&T Offices.

Being at the forefront of innovation and transformation in the region, DOST-CAR will continue to bring the much-needed STI interventions that will lead to smart, speedy, and sustainable regional development.

(From left; seating in front)

DOST-Region 1 OIC, Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog; DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog; DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang; Chairman of the Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative (FISPC), Mr. Francisco ‘Popoy’ Pagayon; CEO of Vic Metal Fabrication and Environmental Services, Inc., Engr. Victoriano Ocon; and Lead Core Technology System, Inc. (LCTSI) President, Engr. Jimson Uranza together with the facilitators and participants pose for a photo after the Technology Forum on Eco-Friendly Technologies on February 7, 2023, held at the Hotel Elizabeth, Baguio City.

In his message,DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang highlights the need to translate this event to technology adoption.

Locals in Ambongdolan, Tublay learn bamboo craft making

About 17 locals composed of mothers, seniors, speciallyabled person, and organization leaders in Ambongdolan, Tublay were successfully trained on Bamboo Craft Making during the three-day training organized by the Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Benguet (PSTOBenguet) in partnership with the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) on February 21- 23, 2023, held at Ambongdolan Barangay Hall, Tublay, Benguet.

The training is part of the interventions for the continuing project on Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) for the Municipality of Tublay under the Economic Development entry point, to capacitate the locals to be able to produce bamboo handicrafts as one of their notable products in the area.

Earlier in January 2023, DOST CAR provided production equipment for bamboo craft making such as kiln dryer, splitter, sizer, miter saw, and drill were provided to the Barangay Local Government Unit of Ambongdolan with four (4) identified associations – beneficiaries, namely: Country Side Rainbow Association, Batwag Multipurpose Cooperative, Ambongdolan Animal Raisers Association, and Ambongdolan Multipurpose Livelihood Inc.

Engr. Jovito Elec and Mr. Jonaz Nicolo

Labastilla of the DOST-FPRDI who served as trainers discussed the characteristics of bamboo in relation to handicraft production, raw materials preparation (treatment and seasoning), processing tools and equipment, and the basic concept on product development.

The demonstration and workshop were continued on the second to the third day of the training with bamboo lampshade, speaker, tray and other small items creatively done by the participants.

During the closing ceremony, Provincial S&T Director-Benguet Dr. Sheila Marie B. Singa-Claver encouraged the participants to take advantage of the opportunity in which Barangay Ambongdolan is a tourist spot, for them to create souvenirs to offer to tourists.

She explained that with the provision of the tools and equipment and the training, men and women even elders can participate in the livelihood project. Also, Brgy. Ambongdolan Captain Apolonia Pad-eng urged her constituents for them to continue the project to be successful. “Let’s use our imagination to creatively produce more handicrafts” added Hon. Pad-eng.

Meanwhile, Mr. Diokno Sabado, one of the senior participants expressed his appreciation to DOST for the conduct of the training noting that at first, he thought that the designs of the expected training outputs are just simple. But during the workshop, they were able to learn the intricacy of bamboo craft making. “I was contented with the three-day training… we will agree what to do to make this training worthwhile”, he added.

■ CECIL DIONISIO

DOST-CAR PSTO-Benguet headed by PSTD Dr. Sheila Marie Singa-Claver (2nd from left) together with the DOST-FPRDI team and participants from four (4) identified association – beneficiaries in Ambongdolan Barangay Hall, Tublay, Benguet pose for a photo after the training.

Participants of the training during their workshop activity on bamboo craft making.

DOST- RO2, DOST-CAR, ISU usher Tabuk City in crafting the Smart City Roadmap

As part of its journey towards becoming a Smart City, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)- Region 02, DOSTCordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Isabela State University (ISU) recently shepherded Tabuk City in the crafting of the Smart City Roadmap.

Attended by representatives from the different city departments, the activity aims to capacitate Tabuk City in the development of road map that will serve as a guide in the development and/or deployment of relevant technologies anchored to the Philippine Smarter City Framework.

The roadmap contains significant steps and milestones in the achievement of city’s goal of becoming sustainable and will provide a bird’s eye view in what areas DOST interventions will come in.

Ms. Raquel Santos, DOST-Region 2 Smart City Focal Person, discussed the Smarter City Framework as an introductory and the know-hows of Logical Framework formulation which will be the foundation of the Road Map. This will help Tabuk City in the identification of gaps and develop trajectory goals and account risks that can contribute in the success or

failure of the project.

Meanwhile, Dr. Betchie Aguinaldo, ISU Program Director of Business Intelligence Development Center (BIRD-C), presented the technologies developed by the center through the funding of the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) which the Local Government Unit of Cauayan City- the pioneer Smart City, are currently utilizing particularly on their operations.

These technologies will be adapted by Tabuk City through a tripartite collaboration with the Kalinga State University (KSU) which will focus on the customization to fit with the city’s demographics. Additionally, DOST-CAR through its Local Grants-in-Aid will fund this venture in counter parting with the City Government Unit.

Aligned to the United Nations (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the Smarter City project of DOST which was formulated by DOST-PCIEERD, aims to transform communities and cities to become sustainable through the deployment of DOST-developed technologies and utilization of digital solutions-Industry 4.0 interventions.

As science, technology, and innovation (STI) key players, the DOST Regional Offices are one in supporting the promotion, transfer and utilization of technologies to create a vibrant STI culture towards inclusive development in the countryside.

■ KARL IAN MARTINEZ

Ms. Aurora D. Amilig, City Information Officer, expressing the commitment of Tabuk City in their Smart City journey. With the support of Mayor Darwin Estranero, the city will collaborate with all the stakeholders for the success of this endeavor.

DOST-CAR revitalizes weaving in Apayao ■ JOVIE

The DOST-CAR through its Provincial Science and Technology Office-Apayao (PSTO-Apayao) aided the Conner Weavers Association (CWA) through Community Based Project (CBP) on loom weaving.

The project is in response to the call of the Provincial Local Government Unit of Apayao (PLGU-Apayao) for the revitalization of the weaving industry and establishment of weaving centers in all of the municipalities in the province.

DOST CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog together with PSTO-Apayao team headed by Engr. Debbie Glynn V.

Manangkil awarded three (3) units of therapeutic loom weaving equipment and two (2) units of sewing machines to the officers and members of the association on February 12, 2023.

Likewise, technology training on Basic and Advanced Loom Weaving will also be conducted as part of the project to capacitate the members, as well as provision of the product label to improve the marketing aspect of their loom woven products.

In her message, Dir. Bantog encouraged the association to maximize the utilization of the equipment. She also challenged the association that in the future, she would love to witness

Upgraded Benguet Cold Chain.....

“This project supports the modernization of the Benguet vegetable industry by providing upgraded multi-cold chain services,” said Director Briones.

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang also explained that “this project demonstrates the Agency’s support to smart farming with the focus to leverage advance technology along the value chain.”

Meanwhile, DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog encouraged farmers and stakeholders to patronize and maximize the facility. “Be ambassadors to the farmers by informing them the benefits of this facility and how it impacts on their vegetable produce,” she added.

Ms. Elizabeth Joy Punasen of Reaping Farm Fresh Corporation and one of the BCC stakeholders expressed her gratitude to DOST for identifying Benguet farmers as beneficiaries of the project. “I urge BCC stakeholders

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SIENA

YApayao fabrics be in the international fashion shows.

Finally, she inspired them to become active agents in promoting to the world the culture of the YApayaos through works of art exhibited through woven fabrics.

Ms. Susan Beoa, the Association’s President, expressed her commitment and assured DOST that the project will serve its objectives of strengthening YApayao culture, improve the livelihoods of the grassroots, and most importantly, will serve as a venue for them to partake in national development.

to support this initiative and work towards in making it a reality,” she added.

Present also to witness the inauguration were project consultants Ms. Daisy Tañafranca and Engr. Menandro Ortega, BCC Manager Ms. Shellanie Molitas, Project Leader Engr.

Member Hon. Ruben E. Paoad, Owner of Haight Farm Ms. Harriet Haight Albon, DOST-CAR ARD-TS Dr. Pepita S. Picpican, DOST-Benguet Provincial Director Dr. Sheila Marie Singa-Claver, and BCC stakeholders.

DOST CAR-Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, (second from left) and Provincial Director of Apayao Engr. Debbie Glynn V. Manangkil, (leftmost) award therapeutic loom weaving equipment and sewing machines to the Conner Weavers Association headed by their President, Ms. Susan Beoa (rightmost).

Ericson T. Nolasco, Benguet Board

One of the packaging equipment installed in the Benguet Cold Chain facility.

DOST-Apayao conducts techno demo on bottle crusher during Apayao Anniversary

TProvincial Science and Technology Office-Apayao (PSTO-Apayao) conducted a Technology Demonstration on the Operation of the Portable Bottle/ Glass Crusher and Eco-Bricks Making on February 11, 2023 at the Apayao Eco-Tourism Sports Complex, Payanan, San Gregorio, Luna, Apayao.

The techdemo, which was conducted in partnership with the Provincial Local Government Unit of Apayao (PLGUApayao), was part of the 28th Apayao Founding Anniversary.

Participants experienced on how to operate the portable bottle/glass

crusher where non-recyclable bottles/ glasses were fed to the machine to produce crashed glasses that can be added in the cement mixture for making eco-bricks. These eco-bricks can be used in landscaping and beautification of areas such as the eco-tourism parks in the province.

In her message, Provincial Science and Technology Director of PSTO-Apayao, Engr. Debbie Glynn V. Manangkil, expressed her gratitude to PLGUApayao for its continuous support in the implementation of the DOST’s Programs, Projects and Services (PPAS) in the province. She also encouraged the participants to utilize the available

technology to promote solid waste management in the province and to make use of it as an additional source of income.

Currently, two (2) units of portable bottle/ glass crusher are available and operational in the province. One was awarded to PLGU- Apayao while the other was awarded to the Municipality of Flora, Apayao through the Local Grants-In-Aid (LGIA) Project of DOST. The Compact Corn Mill developed by Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) which is awarded as one of the Outstanding Creative Research

DOST-CAR RSTL trains RHU-Bauko on Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water

■ JENNY ROSE AGTULAO

Analyst; and Ms. Linda A. Agagen, Laboratory Aide. Likewise, Mr. Kimmayong also attended a three-day on-the-job training on the different procedures for the analysis of water at the DOST-CAR RSTL Microbiology Laboratory.

The Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL) of the Department of Science and Technology Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) conducted a seminar on the Microbiological Analysis of Drinking Water for the laboratory personnel of the Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Bauko, Mountain Province on January 31, 2023, held at the DOST-CAR Regional Office.

The RSTL team, headed by Ms. Jamie Beth G. Galian, discussed the basics and different guidelines on the operation of Laboratories for Drinking Water Microbiological Analysis to Dr. Samuel M. Masidong, RHU-Bauko’s Municipal Health Officer; Mr. Glen Rex P. Kimmayong,

With the pre-requisites of the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water (PNSDW) 2017 and Department of Health (DOH) Administrative Order (AO) 0031 series of 2020 of the need for training certifications for every laboratory personnel, and with the limited slots given by the DOH-approved and certified training center for water laboratories, the National Research Laboratory for Environmental and Occupational Health, Toxicology and Micronutrient Assay (NRL-EOHTM), the DOH-CAR office requested the assistance of DOST-CAR for a supplementary training of RHU-Bauko’s lab personnel.

With the aid of this training-seminar, the RHU-Bauko is hoping for the temporary reinstatement of their license to operate their own water testing laboratory until they can attend the formal training provided by NRL-EOHTM this year.

Ms. Arceli C. Ropeta (left), DOST-CAR RSTL staff, discusses the principles of laboratory safety to the staff of RHU-Bauko represented by Dr Samuel M. Masidong (in red), Ms. Linda A. Agagen and Mr. Glen Rex P. Kimmayong.

Rizal Corn Producers to Benefit from SciTech Interventions

■ KARL IAN MARTINEZ

The DOST-CAR through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)– Kalinga turned over a Compact Corn Mill with Elevator to Alibangbang Farmers Association Inc. on March 13, 2023 at Liwan West, Rizal, Kalinga.

Alibangbang Farmers Association Inc. is a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-registered association located at Brgy. Liwan West, Rizal, Kalinga. Established in 2015, the association is composed of 30 members with corn production as their main source of income. Their produce are often sold to consolidators for feed production. However, the considerably low farmgate prices coupled with the high cost of farm inputs, intensive labor requirements, and abrupt increase of other expenses jeopardize their operation resulting to limited revenue.

Hence, through the project titled “S&T Intervention for the Establishment of Corn Milling Facility for the Corn Producing Areas in Rizal” funded under Local Grants-inAid, a tripartite collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Rizal, Kalinga, seeks to establish a sustainable processing facility for the production of corn meal and grits both for human and animal consumption.

The Compact Corn Mill developed by Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) which is awarded as one of the Outstanding Creative Research during the 2016 DOST National Invention Contest and Exhibit, and 2015 DOST Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit, was provided to the organization along with other S&T interventions such as capacity building-training, laboratory analysis, label designs, and packaging materials and equipment.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA, the total corn production in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) was estimated at 99,103.68 metric tons in the second (2nd) quarter of 2022 with Kalinga partaking 29 percent share and has the second highest contribution next to Ifugao. In Kalinga, Rizal is one of the top producers of corn utilized both for industrial and household consumption.

With the equipment’s high milling efficiency and minimal product losses and all other SciTech interventions

provided, this flagship crop of the municapility will be transformed into value-added products, potential for economic development.

Additionally, backyard hog raising is also one of the prominent source of income in the community. With this project, the high prices of commercial feeds which usually restrict the income of the raisers will be addressed, since the processed corn can be used as supplemental feeds.

Municipal Agriculture Officer, Engr. Nasser Rey C. Juan (3rd from left), along with the other personnel from the Municipal Agriculture Office, witnessed the turnover of equipment to Alibangbang Farmers Association Inc.

In 2018, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) with the University of the Philippines-Diliman launched a project titled the Community-Led Integrated Non-Mercury Cyanide Gold Extraction Method (CLINNGEM). The primary objective of this initiative was to revolutionize the gold beneficiation process by eliminating the traditional practices of using mercury amalgamation or cyanide complexation. Located in Gumatdang, Itogon, Benguet, the facility is capable of processing up to 10 metric tons of ore per batch.

One of the major setbacks encountered by the CLINNGEM facility was the imposition of mine closure and suspension in the region. To compound matters, the facility also fell victim to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic which caused further stagnation. Additionally, the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners (BSSFM), which had been entrusted with the technology, faced significant difficulties due to a lack of technical capacity in operating the equipment.

Recognizing the need to address these issues, the DOSTCAR funded the project titled “REVIVE SSMB: Regaining and Enabling Various Institutional Visions for Empowered Small-Scale Mining in Benguet.” This is a collaborative project with the Saint Louis University, Benguet State University and the BSSFM. This endeavor represents a collaborative effort to restore the operations of the CLINNGEM facility and breathe new life into small-scale mining in Benguet.

The primary goal of the REVIVE SSMB project is to eventually restore the full operation of the facility and provide comprehensive orientation and training to smallscale miners, equipping them with the necessary skills for the operation and maintenance of the CLINN-GEM facility. By empowering small scale miners with the knowledge required to utilize this advanced extraction method, the project aims to instill confidence within the nearby mining communities.

One of the significant advantages of reviving the CLINN-

GEM facility is the creation of employment opportunities for the local population. By ensuring the sustainable operation of the facility, the project will secure the livelihood of community members involved in small-scale mining. This project not only provides economic stability but also contributes to the overall development of the region.

Approved in December 2022, the REVIVE SSMB project commenced in January 2023 and is expected to conclude in July 2023. Leading this initiative are Engr. Melissa A. Boado and Engr. Ma. Corazon Ocampo from Saint Louis University, along with Mr. Jason Leung of Benguet State University leveraging their expertise and knowledge in support of sustainable small-scale mining practices.

The revival of the CLINN-GEM project through the REVIVE SSMB initiative signals a beacon of hope for the future of gold extraction in the region. By addressing the challenges faced by the previous iteration of the project, the DOST, alongside Saint Louis University, Benguet State University, and the Benguet Federation of Small-Scale Miners seeks to empower small-scale miners, promote environmentallyfriendly extraction methods, and foster economic growth. Through this concerted effort, the project endeavors to create a sustainable mining industry that not only protects the environment but also uplifts the livelihoods of those involved.

Reviving the CLINN-GEM facility in the Cordillera

■ DAISY LOU QUINIO

DOST-CAR and project members conduct equipment assessment and several test runs to evaluate the performance and functionality of the Community-Led Integrated Non-Mercury Cyanide Gold Extraction Method (CLINN-GEM) Facility in Gumatdang, Itogon, Benguet on May 25, 2023.

DOST-CAR, DOST-PCIEERD monitor projects implemented by the University of the Cordilleras

■ MAE LANY BANGNAN

The Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) and DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) conducted onsite monitoring to projects implemented by the University of the Cordilleras (UC) during the 1st quarter of the year.

The DOST-CAR and DOST-PCIEERD team monitored the status of the project “Imahe Labs: An Educational Game for Chemistry in the Senior High School and Junior High School Sectors of Baguio City” on February 10, 2023. During the monitoring, Project Leader Ms. Lovely Jen A. Reformado presented the accomplishments of the project wherein she highlighted the near completion of the Imahe Labs mobile application and virtual reality.

The Imahe Labs project aims to develop an interactive, game-based learning application for Chemistry subjects at the Junior and Senior High School levels. The development of the mobile application is based on the curriculum guide and Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) from the Chemistry subjects from grades 7 to 12. It also uses different mechanics and graphics depending on the nature of the topic. Meanwhile, the virtual reality is based on the curriculum guide and MELCs from General Chemistry 1 and 2 subjects, simulation of laboratory activities of the topics including the laboratory activities and assessment.

Moreover, the team from DOST-CAR and DOSTPCIEERD conducted onsite monitoring for the “Project SUNSHARE: A Renewable Energy Blockchain Marketplace for a Clean Community” on March 22, 2023 to assess the progress of the project and plans to refine the technology. It was discussed during the monitoring that the project was extended until July 2023 without additional funds but was recommended for the next phase of funding to cover the deployment of the technology in the communities.

The Project SUNSHARE led by Dr. Thelma D. Palaoag aims to support the energy needs of consumers while promoting a sustainable environment. Utilizing solar power, the project will provide energy-sustainable solutions that contribute to mitigating climate change and reducing pollution. The integrated blockchain marketplace in SUNSHARE offers various benefits, including reduced energy costs, enhanced performance, and automation. It also ensures transparency, advanced security, and traceability of energy transactions.

The Imahe Labs and Project SUNSHARE were both funded under the DOST-PCIEERD Grants-in-Aid (GIA) in CY 2021. This funding opportunity encourages S&T collaboration and applied research among Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), government Research and Development Institutes (RDIs), and non-profit S&T networks and organizations seeking funding for their R&D/S&T initiatives.

DOST project monitoring team test the Imahe Labs virtual reality-based game application during their visit to the University of the Cordilleras (UC) on February 10, 2023.

DOST-CAR and DOST PCIEERD team during their monitoring for the Project SUNSHARE in the University of the Cordilleras (UC) on March 22, 2023.

DOST-CAR, BSU and PMR 88 Development Corporation collaborate on Tea and Wine Research and Innovation in the Cordillera

■ DAISY LOU QUINIO

In a significant step towards promoting research, development, and innovation in the Cordillera region, the Department of Science and Technology - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) have joined forces with Benguet State University (BSU) and PMR 88 Development Corporation. The collaborative effort aims to enhance the formulation of R&D proposal on tea, and wine products through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the involved parties.

The MOU signing, held on January 26, 2023, paves the way for a fruitful partnership that will leverage the expertise and resources of each organization involved. The primary objective is to develop innovative and high-quality products derived from tea, coffee, and strawberries, which are prominent agricultural commodities in the Cordillera region.

This collaborative project is hoped to be subsequently be submitted for this year’s DOST Call for Proposal, with the anticipation of securing funding to support its implementation.

During the MOU signing ceremony, key figures from the participating organizations were present to express their commitment and support for the collaboration. Notable attendees included DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang; DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy Bantog; BSU President, Dr. Felipe Salaing Comila; and Dr. Prudencio M. Reyes, Jr. of PMR 88 Development Corporation.

Former City Councilor Atty. Richard Carino, Dr. Imelda O. Degay and Mr. Lesley Dale G. Umayat from BSU, Mr. Francisco Pagayon of the Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative, and Dr. Pita Picpican and Engr.

The project holds promise for the Cordillera region, as it not only aims to develop new and improved products but also to explore various value-added opportunities for tea, coffee, and strawberry farmers. The research and development efforts will focus on improving cultivation techniques, enhancing product quality and packaging, and exploring novel applications for these commodities.

Moreover, the collaboration between academic institutions like BSU and industry partners such as PMR 88 Development Corporation will foster knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and capacity building. This multidisciplinary approach will lead to comprehensive and impactful research outcomes, benefiting farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and the region as a whole.

Angel Maguen of DOST-CAR were also present during the signing ceremony.

Proponents and guests pose for a photo after MOU Signing: (L-R) Dr. Prudencio M. Reyes Jr. of PMR 88 Development Corporation; DOST ROS Usec. Sancho A. Mabborang, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy A. Bantog, and BSU President Dr. Felipe S. Comila.

Participants from Filipino Inventors Society-CAR (FISCAR) present their inventions during the INVENTouring: a Regional Proposal Enhancement Writeshop for Pinoy Inventors on March 8, 2023 at Newton Plaza Hotel, Baguio City.

DOST awakens Cordilleran’s Passion for Invention

The Department of Science and Technology - Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST-TAPI) in coordination with DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR), led the three-day INVENTouring: a Regional Proposal Enhancement Writeshop for Pinoy Inventors on March 6-8, 2023, held at Newton Plaza Hotel, Baguio City.

On the first day of the writeshop, the speakers presented essential information about their program with Ms. Ermae R. Monterey of DOST-TAPI as the facilitator. Engr. Marvin Eric O. Dela Cruz, Science Research Specialist, provided a walkthrough of Programs and Assistance of DOST-TAPI for Filipino Inventors.

Moreover, Mr. Jeremy C. De Leon, a young Filipino Inventor and content awardee, presented his invention called “MAKECROSCOPE”, a small microscopic device which can see small-scale cells, fungi, and viruses when executed with the assistance of the phone cameras.

In addition, Engr. Roberto R. Verzosa,

Senior Science Research Specialist from Invention Development Division, deliberated the elements of making a detailed breakdown of the requested financial assistance. He reiterated the significance of proper knowledge of the technology or proposals being presented by the inventors and following the program requirements issued by the organization.

On the other hand, Ms. Anna Liza B. Saet delivered an interactive discussion about the determination of the invention concept patentability that allowed the participants to understand further how to make their ideas novel and original. She shared some examples and principles of comparisons between the prior art and new inventions through inventive steps, to create new functionalities.

The second and last day of the activity was lent for the writeshop proper of the participants or inventors to finalize the data, information, and requirements needed for their proposals.

Eight (8) technologies from the Filipino Inventors Society Cordillera Administrative Region (FISCAR), Inc. were pitched for possible endorsement to the Intellectual Property Rights Assistance Program (iPRAP) and precommercialization assistance under the Grants and Assistance to Leverage Innovations for National Growth (GALiNG) Program. These programs and services provide financial assistance to inventors in the fulfillment and fabrication of their inventions, which were either under privately funded and DOST-funded technologies.

This activity was attended by DOSTTAPI Director Atty. Marion Ivy D. Decena, DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Division Dr. Pepita S. Picpican, Benguet State University (BSU) students, Saint Louis University (SLU) faculties, and private inventors from nearby provinces. The activity provided the participants with a glimpse of the possibility of turning their brilliant ideas into reality.

■ ANGELO ESTIGOY

DOST-PCIEERD, DOST-Regional Offices and Technology Business Incubators convene for ReSEED Program

assessment

■ CECIL DIONISIO

The DOST-PCIEERD, DOSTRegional Offices and Higher Education Institute- Technology Business Incubators convene on February 9-10, 2023, at the University of the Cordilleras Theater, Baguio City for the program assessment of ReSEED.

ReSEED or Regional Startup Enablers for Ecosystem Development is a DOSTPCIEERD-led Program that aims to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the regions by providing funding support to PCIEERD-funded Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to lead in establishing and formalizing a Regional Startup Ecosystem Consortium.

The program supports the regional startup ecosystem consortium to establish a regional startup development roadmap, come up with strategies to promote the startup program of the DOST-PCIEERD, establish a pool of mentors to increase fundability of startups in the regions, craft skills enhancement programs for the TBI team and other startup enablers.

DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy

A. Bantog, in her opening message, said that this program assessment will serve as a venue to the regional startup ecosystem consortia to share their milestones, challenges, best practices, and progress in strengthening the startup ecosystem in the country. Most importantly, when the sharings are put

together, it will lead to identify the next big steps to sustain this mechanism in a level that will bring great strides in strengthening the STI ecosystem.

“May we take advantage of this opportunity to further enhance our skills in innovation ideation and foster a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship” said RD Bantog as she expressed DOST-CAR’s commitment to continue to support the innovation ecosystems.

Present at the activity were DOSTPCIEERD represented by Ms. Russell M.

Pili, the host TBI University -University of the Cordilleras represented by CITCS Dean Jeffrey Ingosan, UC President Dr. Nancy Flores, DOST Region III Director Julius Caesar Sicat, DOST-NCR OICDirector Romelen Tresvalles, DOSTRegion VII Director Jesus Zamora, and the nine (9) DOST Regional Startup Ecosystem consortia- SCALE NCR, TARAKI CAR, SINAG Cagayan Valley, SULONG Central Luzon, ICONS South Luzon, UMWAD Western Visayas, DASIG Central Visayas, MINDSET Northern Mindanao, and IDEAS Davao.

DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog assured DOST-CAR's commitment to support the innovation ecosystems.

The first NTFIH in the country is officially launched

BY DOST-PTRI

The DOST - Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), in partnership with the DOST-CAR, Apayao State College, and Municipality of Luna launched its first Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in Luna, Apayao on March 17, 2023.

The NTFIH project under the DOST-GIA project “Integrated Community-scale Textile Fiber Innovation Hubs in Northern Luzon” Project 2 of the “DOST-PTRI Inclusive Innovation (I2) TELA Program” aims to validate and verify textile raw material extraction and processing technologies of banana and pineapple leaf sourced from Apayao.

The innovation hub is capable of processing from 10 – 40 kg/day of textile raw material for yarn spinning.

Likewse, DOST-PTRI with the DOST-CAR inked a partnership with the Luna Weavers Association as the handloom weaving community that will create prototype fabrics made from different natural textile fiber-based yarns.

Luna Weavers Association is a registered local commercial manufacturer of handwovenbased products for wearable textiles in Apayao. The local weaving community comprised of mainly local weavers will collaborate with DOST to create intricate handloom woven fabric

designs using natural textile fiber-based yarns while providing income-generating, creative, and expressive activity.

The yarns will be coming from the banana and pineapple leaf fibers sourced and extracted from the Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in Apayao. The partnership with the weaving community is part of the DOST-GIA project, “Integrated Community-scale Textile Fiber Innovation

DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Division Dr. Pepita S. Picpican (4th from right) joins the officials from DOST-PTRI, ASC, and LGU-Luna Apayao in a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the Launching of Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) in Luna, Apayao.

(From left) Luna Weavers Association President Ms. Corazon T. Ammasi, DOST-PTRI OIC Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño, and DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Division Dr. Pepita S. Picpican during the MOA Signing.

Hubs in Northern Luzon.”

CRHRDC conducts Orientation on its PPAs for CY 2023

The Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC), through its Research Management Committee (RMC), spearheaded the promotion of health research engagements and opportunities through the Orientation on the CRHRDC Policies, Programs, and Activities (PPAs) on 23 March 2023 at the RCD Dome, University of Baguio, General Luna, Baguio City.

Participants from the academe, private sectors, government, and hospitals institutions under the CRHRDC Member institutions were provided with updates and continuing opportunities that health researchers can take part as the Orientation highlights the assistance for beginning researchers as it is the primary goal of the consortium to equip and train researchers in the region.

The activity was graced by the welcome remarks of Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, the Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology –Cordillera Administrative Region, bringing attention to the importance of the involvement of health research in the mandate of the DOST Research and Development in responding to the needs of our community.

Ms. Maria Rowena C. Madarang, the consortium director of the CRHRDC, discussed the consortium overview and its mandate. She emphasized its role in empowering health researchers, whether new or seasoned researchers in the region, to pursue and promote innovation and timely and relevant ideas.

Moreover, Dr. Marie Ellaine N. Velasquez, the RMC Chair, presented information on the available grants and funding opportunities, including the identified priorities that answer the region’s needs following the Regional Unified Health Research Agenda.

In addition, succeeding CRHRDC activities of the other three committees (training, workshops, conference, and forums) were presented by Ms. Lilia Say-awen (co-chair, Research Ethics Committee), Mr. Jayson Bimuyag (co-chair, Capacity Building Committee), and Dr. Donnabel T. Panes (chair, Research Utilization Committee) so the participants could anticipate which programs/activities they would participate in for CY 2023.

■ ELIZABETH KULLALAD

Dr. Velasquez providing lecture during the Orientation on CRHRDC PPA at the University of Baguio on 23 March 2023.

CRHRDC WHO AEFI Special Project on its 2nd Phase

■ ELIZABETH KULLALAD

After more than a year of vaccinating its population, the Philippines has administered over 154 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Challenges remain, however, in reaching marginalized and resource-constrained areas. As the Department of Health (DOH) continues to ramp up its immunization efforts, there is a need to build the trust and confidence in the national immunization program to increase demand, and improve the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines uptake among the eligible population.

In response to this, the Cordillera Regional Health Research and Development Consortium (CRHRDC) earlier undertook a six-month partnership with the World Health Organization Country Office Philippines (WHO CO PHL) for a technical assistance program in strengthening the monitoring of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccinations. This project efficiently and effectively carried out its objectives towards supporting and capacitating adverse event following immunization (AEFI) surveillance and response across five regional hubs – North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR. It also produced conclusions and recommendations towards the realization of a comprehensive and systemic surveillance and response for AEFI at the subnational level.

Over a six-month period, the program was able to document essential observations on the strengths and weaknesses of the country’s AEFI surveillance system. The continuous reinforcement of Regional Epidemiological

Surveillance Units (RESUs) in various forms is imperative towards optimizing AEFI surveillance and investigation as we move towards a post-pandemic context.

The CRHRDC aims to be collaborative and participatory in its approach for this project. It encourages the involvement of partners and stakeholders of the program to ensure that the results, recommendations and conclusions from the implementation will emerge from thorough discussion and analysis of various perspectives.

There remains a lot to accomplish, and many potential lessons to harvest as we look towards a “post-pandemic” context. There is also a need to ensure the end-to-end process of Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) surveillance and monitoring at the community level to different Disease Reporting Units (DRUs) as the DOH through its Epidemiology Bureau (EB) along with other agencies and WHO support make strides to extend the vaccination efforts at the community-level. Through this AEFI surveillance and response are promptly implemented and monitored.

To achieve this, Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Units (RESU)’s capacities in conducting clinical investigation and presenting case summaries must be strengthened and supported. Evidence-based clinical case investigations through close coordination and technical input to the medical officers and program officers must be ensured at the regional level.

In 1990, Mr. Johnny L. Marcos and his family started to farm a 3,500 square meter (m2) farmland in Palegao, Balili, Mankayan, Benguet with romaine and green ice lettuce as their main produce. The initial market is at the La Trinidad Trading Post and Baguio City Hangar market until they were eventually able to penetrate the Live Green Marketing Corporation in Quezon City on December 2013 until today.

Traditionally, the farm watering system is done with the aid of sprinklers. With this practice, the amount of water cannot be precisely regulated resulting to inefficient use of water that is already starting to become scarce. The farm consumed about 600,000 liters of water every cropping covering the farmland area coupled with about 1,228 liters of fuel to pump water from the source, costing them about PhP 81,000.00. Further, this method of uncontrolled and excessive water application is not efficient since it caused soil, fertilizer, applied pesticides, and fungicides runoff. It also increases humidity within the greenhouse, subjecting plants to susceptibility to fungi and bacterial growth not to mention the fact that fertilizer application is time-consuming and laborious as it is done manually.

The disadvantages brought by the manual watering system and the strong demand for the products led the owner to upgrade its manual watering system to Drip Irrigation System in 2015 through DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The assistance enabled the farm to improve its productivity and product quality through precise irrigation and fertilizer application system.

“Before, I wasn’t able to finish irrigating my farm within one week. I observed that it [Drip Irrigation System] is six times more effective compared to the traditional way of irrigating my farm,” Mr. Marcos explained.

“ “ Before, I wasn’t able to finish irrigating my farm within one week. I observed that it [Drip Irrigation System] is six times more effective compared to the traditional way of irrigating my farm.

Mr. JOHNNY L. MARCOS

JLM Farm was the first farm in the community who availed of DOST’s SETUP assistance for the improvement of his farm production systems. It became an initiator and model in the community where other farmers were also encouraged to avail and implement such technology in their farms resulting to five (5) more farms who consequently availed of DOST’s assistance

As Mr. Marcos acknowledges the importance of science, technology and innovation, he applied for Phase 2 of SETUP in 2018 to continually improve their production efficiency. With this, they were able to upgrade the Drip Irrigation System with an automated controller. The system can be set based on a time schedule and will automatically operate and stop at the desired time/duration of irrigation. This automation also resulted to more accurate and efficient distribution of water for specific areas within the specified time, hence, conserving water and labor.

In a bid to further improve its production efficiency, the DOST-CAR thru PSTO-Benguet provided the farm with technology trainings and consultancy.

Owner of JLM Farms and 2022 Best SETUP PRAISE Awardee (National and Regional Category)

■ CECIL DIONISIO & MARYJOY FERRER

The JLM Farm had also implemented various innovations to answer current issues on the farm. Aside from the adoption of greenhouse and automated drip irrigation technologies, JLM Farm established a rainwater impounding system to augment water supply for irrigation, among others. Due to the indirect effect of the COVID 19 pandemic and the change in the market demand of the customers, the farm expanded its production and practices to multiple cropping and crop rotation aside from crop programming. With the said practice, integrated pest management was also realized since planting of herbs and other species within the farm helps in pest control. Likewise, the farm was able to learn, innovate and integrate pest and disease control and management aside from minimizing or even eliminating the excessive use of chemical fertilizer, insecticides and fungicides.

Indeed, Mr. Marcos is reaping a thousand-fold what they have sown for their business. To date, JLM farms employs 32 workers, as compared to 11 workers they had before DOST’s intervention. It penetrated five (5) market outlets for his vegetable produce. Through the interventions, the farm was able to increase its annual production volume by 1,325% and its annual gross sales by 1,453%. It was able to reduce water and fuel consumption by at least 20 times or 1900% and reduce physical damage to plants caused by sprinkling to drip irrigation by 93%.

Recently, the farm was conferred as the national winner for 2022 SETUP PRAISE Award as part of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration in November 2022. The recognition is awarded to an outstanding MSME who has excelled in managing and sustaining their business in terms of Productivity, Resilience, Agility, Innovativeness, Sustainability and Excellence (PRAISE). The firm was likewise conferred the “Sustainability” Award during the awarding ceremony.

Mr. Marcos could not have been more satisfied with the

assistance and recognition he got from DOST. “Napakalaking inspirasyon at mas nais ko pang tangkilikin ang paggamit ng teknolohiya upang patuloy na gumanda ang performance ng aking negosyo,” he said.

To give back to the community, the JLM Farm continues to conduct various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities such as donations during calamities nationwide, support to local churches, and other voluntary works. The JLM Farms exercises good leadership roles to workers as it abides to regulations on the provision of right wages, benefits, and free-lodging to workers. Its advocacies also include teaching workers with good farming practices and support to the spiritual needs of workers through weekly gathering and teaching of ethics/values to workers.

What started out in a 3,500 m2 farmland with a manual watering system where only romaine and green ice lettuce were planted, has now expanded into 40,000 m2 farmland with assorted organic leafy vegetables, root crops, and herbs through faith, dedication and innovation.

“

“ Napakalaking inspirasyon at mas nais ko pang tangkilikin ang paggamit ng teknolohiya upang patuloy na gumanda ang performance ng aking negosyo

Mr. JOHNNY L. MARCOS Owner of JLM Farms and 2022 Best SETUP PRAISE Awardee (National and Regional Category)

(From left, 1st row) A group photo of DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Engr. Sancho A. Maborrang; Ms. Victoria B. Mabborang; DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog; Ms. Lolita Marcos of JLM Farms; DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Technical Services Division, Dr. Pepita S. Picpican; (from left, 2nd row) Mr. Melecio Balangen, Science Research Specialist II of PSTO-Benguet; Ms. Esmeralda Demafelix, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST Office of Undersecretary of Regional Operations; DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Services, Engr. Angel Maguen; and PSTO-Benguet Provincial Director, Dr. Sheila Marie Singa-Claver during their visit to the JLM Farms.

Cordillera disaster responders, LGUs level up skills on risk assessment thru CLEARS project

Tabuk City, Kalinga—The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) and Kalinga State University (KSU) conducted the Regional Training-Workshop on Rain-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Assessment using the Enhanced Rain-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Guidebook for Communities and Non-Experts, and the CLEARS Mobile and Web Applications on February 22-23, 2023.

In her message, DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog mentioned that risk assessment is one of the crucial aspects in understanding and communicating disaster risk. “Understanding disaster risk is one of the foundations of disaster prevention and mitigation. We could not properly address the other priority areas without a clear understanding of what we are dealing with,” she explained.

Hence, this training was organized in partnership with the Cordillera Industry Energy and Emerging Technology R&D Consortium (CIEERDEC) and Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) Kalinga through their Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) for the PDRRMOs in CAR, Provincial and Municipal Engineering of Kalinga, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), provincial engineering offices, DOST-CAR provincial offices and KSU.

KSU President Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang and PLGU Kalinga Provincial Administrator Mr. Teddy Gullay also graced the opening program of the activity.

On the 2nd day, participants experienced actual data gathering at Sitio Ileb, Nambaran, Tabuk City, Kalinga along the slide-prone area of the national highway. Gathered data will be reported to the CLEARS Mobile Application developed by KSU then uploaded to the CLEARS Web Application of DOST-CAR.

The training is a component of the CLEARS Project (Community-Level Evaluation and Assessment of Raininduced Landslide Susceptibility), a local R&D project implemented by the DOST-CAR and KSU in 2022 with

■ HANSI DINUMLA & MARYJOY FERRER

support from the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) and CIEERDEC, both led by the DOST-CAR.

The project aims to: 1) Recalibrate the Non-expert tool for Site-specific Evaluation of Rain-induced Landslide Susceptibility, 2) Develop the CLEARS Mobile Application based on the Non-Expert Tool, and 3) Develop the CLEARS Web Application as a module of the existing Cordillera DRRMIS.

These tools and methodologies will strengthen the capacity of LGUs in terms of risk assessment at the local level, which shall support disaster prevention and mitigation. More user trainings and deployment activities is expected to be conducted this year thru the DOST-CAR’s DRRM Unit and the KSU team.

Group photo of participants from PDRRMOs in CAR, Provincial and Municipal Engineering of Kalinga, Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), provincial engineering offices, DOST-CAR provincial offices and KSU led by its President Dr. Eduardo T. Bagtang (5th from right; seating) and PLGU Kalinga Provincial Administrator Mr. Teddy Gullay (4th from right; seating) during the Regional TrainingWorkshop on Rain-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Assessment using the Enhanced Rain-Induced Landslide Susceptibility Guidebook for Communities and Non-Experts and its CLEARS Mobile and Web Applications held at Tabuk City, Kalinga.

Participants during their actual data gathering at Ileb, Nambaran, Tabuk City, Kalinga along the slide-prone area of the national highway. Data are reported to the mobile application developed by KSU then uploaded to the website.

■ ROSTON JOHN BONILLA

Scholar-aspirants undergo review sessions before the DOST Scholarship Exams

In an effort to prepare students for the upcoming 2023 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination on March 18-19, 2023, a review was conducted by the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) last March 4 and 11, 2023. This aimed to help students refine their knowledge of various scientific concepts and increase their chances of securing the DOST scholarship.

A team of experienced S&T educators from the Philippine Science High School-Cordillera Administrative Region (PSHS-CAR) led the two-day review. On the first day, Special Science Teachers, Ms. Bethany V. Magno and Mr. Jimvileo P. Quesada covered key topics in English and Mathematics, respectively while Ms. Mayla Fangayen and Ms. Roxanne Joy L. Doyayag highlighted common pointers in Science and Mechanical-technical reasoning on the 2nd day. They also provided strategies and valuable insights in the examination process.

According to one of the mentors, Ms. Fangayen—a DOST scholar-graduate, the review was essential to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the examination. She was grateful for the opportunity to impart knowledge and is optimistic for the reviewees. “I am very happy that there is an opportunity like this for the youth nowadays, and hope that many, if not all of the examinees, will pass and be granted the scholarship they deserve,” she said.

The two-day review was well-attended, with over 957 student hopefuls nationwide mostly from the STEM strand participating. The sessions were conducted through a hybrid setup where virtual participants attended via online platforms while Provincial S&T Offices in the CAR hosted students without internet access.

Many of the students expressed their appreciation for the chance to improve their aptitude and skills. “Not only did I learn and familiarize myself with key concepts but I was able to know lots of tips to be a better examinee,” said Ms.

Jessilou L. Amoggao. “The teachers were very smart and I admire how hard concepts were taught in simpler ways that would help us answer in a short time,” she added.

The DOST-SEI scholarship examination is a highly soughtafter opportunity for high-academically achieving students who want to pursue further S&T education in the country. By providing review sessions such as these, DOST-CAR aspires to level the playing field and give all students an equal opportunity to excel.

Aspiring DOST scholars from Cordillera provinces including those from outside the region during the virtual and face-to-face 2023 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Review on March 4 and 11, 2023.

1,825 aspiring scholars take on the 2023 DOST-SEI Scholarship Exam in CAR

■ ROSTON JOHN BONILLA

Atotal of 1,825 aspirants in the Cordillera Administrative Region took the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Undergraduate Scholarship Examination on March 18-19, 2023.

The DOST-SEI’s pen-and-paper examination is back in determining future science scholars in the country. For the past two years, examinations were put to a halt due to safety concerns brought about by the pandemic. Qualifiers were selected through model-based data analytics of proxy indicators ensuring the continuous provision of scholarships by the institution.

This year, the DOST-CAR and the Provincial S&T Offices joined in the nationwide conduct of the exams. Seven testing centers spread around CAR were put in place to cater to young hopefuls from the six (6) provinces. This examination will determine the fresh batch of scholars that will add up to the 1,698 ongoing undergraduate S&T scholars supported in the region.

Qualifiers will be awarded the scholarship this Academic Year 2023-2024 as they enter their first year in college. The scholars are expected to take S&T priority courses as their undergraduate degree. Furthermore, they are to enrol in state universities and colleges or in private institutions recognized by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) as centers of development and centers of excellence or as accredited by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) with a Level III certification.

Scholars will also benefit from tuition fee subsidies of up to P40,000 per academic year, monthly stipends of P7,000, learning materials/connectivity allowance of P5,000 per semester, health insurance, clothing allowance, transportation allowance, thesis and graduation allowance on top of other non-monetary S&T learning assistance.

The list of qualifiers for the 2023 DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Program will be published on the DOST-SEI website https://www.sei.dost.gov.ph/ and in leading

national newspapers sometime in June 2023.

128 additional examinees in the region are also vying for scholarships offered by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration’s (OWWA) Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) and the Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP). The OWWA Examination is a rider of the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Examination for the selection of its scholars.

Ballay Integrated School in Kabayan Receives Science Digital Library from Lions Int’l Club-Cavite

One set of DOST-STARBOOKS - Science and Technology

Academically Research-based Openly Operated Kiosk Station was donated by the Lions International Club - Cavite Association of Science and Mathematics Educators Philippine Private Schools to Ballay Integrated School in Kabayan.

STARBOOKS is a computer set containing hundreds of thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats such as text, video and audio. It is the first science digital library in the Philippines that can be operated without internet connection.

DOST STII Director Richard Burgos and Provincial S&T Director Sheila Marie Singa-Claver joined the Lions Club - Cavite team during the turn-over, users training, and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement at the said school on January 21, 2023.

Dir. Burgos encouraged the school to maximize the use of the STARBOOKS, which is very helpful for easy access to learning resources especially that internet connectivity is one of the limitations in the area.

BIS Principal Bhede Martin said the learning resources will benefit about 195 learners in the school to include Alternative Learning School students in the area. Martin further extended her gratitude to the donors.

Moreover, aside from STARBOOKS, other learning resources and school supplies, hygiene and Eyewear kits, health supplements and some Agricultural tools were distributed to BIS learners and parents. This activity is part of the advocacy activities of Lions International - Cavite ASMEPPS, Baguio City Family and Friends Lions Club, and Saint Francis Assisi College.

About 300 learners belonging to the GIDAs to Benefit from STARBOOKS ■

In a bid to strengthen the basic education in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs), the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office – Kalinga (PSTO – Kalinga) deployed three (3) more units of the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS or STARBOOKS in Pasil, Kalinga on March 02, 2023.

Funded under the “Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) for Pasil 2022” project under the Human Resource Development entry point, Bagtayan Elementary School, Batong Buhay Elementary School, and Dalupa Elementary School were provided with one (1) unit each of the technology.

Through the conducted community needs assessment in 2022, these schools were identified as beneficiaries due to the status of their learning facilities and the number of target users. These schools join the other two STARBOOKS-equipped schools in Pasil; strategically located at Pasil National High School and Pasil Central School. At present, there are already 341 units of STARBOOKS deployed in the Cordillera Administrative Region; 41 of which were deployed in the province of Kalinga.

Engr. Karl Ian Martinez, Science Research Specialist II, together with Mr. Dejoia Lee Andres, STARBOOKS staff, spearheaded the deployment

activity including the conduct of the users training and orientation which was participated by five (5) faculty staff from the schools. Present also in the activity is the S&T coordinator for Pasil, Engr. Marife A. Bintocan.

Participants were oriented on the knowhow of the technology for its optimum utilization. Likewise, DOST’s mandate and the concept behind this Philippines’ first S&T digital library in a box were discussed including the DOST’s scholarship programs.

Subsequently, hands-on training was conducted to capacitate the teachers, particularly in the registration of users and generation of reports.

In areas where access to books

and internet connectivity is limited, STARBOOKS, as one of the many innovative technologies of DOST, aims to provide students and teachers, with a better learning and teaching experience, respectively.

Since then, quality education has always been one of the goals of the agency, strategically channeled through its different effective projects and programs focused in the advancement of Science, Technology, and Innovation literacy in the countryside, especially those situated in the GIDAs. With the tagline- “Your access to a wealth of science and technology information right at your fingertips.”, this platform will empower everyJuan with access to modern, interactive, and dynamic resources in just a click.

KARL IAN MARTINEZ

DOST Kalinga and STARBOOKS regional office staff award three (3) units of STARBOOKS to schools in Pasil, Kalinga.

■ ROSTON JOHN BONILLA

Patriotism meets scientific excellence: DOST-SEI Scholars in CAR join the Leadership Camp

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) held a Leadership Camp at the Thunderbird Resort in San Fernando City, La Union last March 28 to April 1, 2023. The activity was organized by the DOST-SEI thru the Filipino Patriot Scholar’s Project which aims to instill the values of patriotism among the scholars of the nation.

A total of 150 undergraduate scholars, from Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region convened to rekindle the spirit of servant leadership, professional excellence, and social responsibility which are the core values of a DOST scholar.

During the five-day program, the campers engaged in a series of interactive modules designed to improve their skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and self-leadership. Accenture Instructor Ms. Rosejelynn Bulante served as the key resource speaker and trainer for the majority of the activities guiding the scholars in learning more through action.

The scholars were also given the opportunity to hear testimonies from DOST scholar-graduates who are now regarded as servant leaders in their home regions. Present in the round up were scholar-graduates DepEd-Region

1 Education Program Supervisor Dr. Jaime D. Campos

Jr., DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Region 1 Regional Director Engr. Maria Dorica Naz-Hipe, DOST-Region

1 Special Reasearch Scientist II Ms. Annalie L. Rosales and Mindanao State University (MSU)-Marawi Profesor Nestor G. Acala, PhD. The event was also graced by Central Philippines University (CPU) Iloilo Professor, Engr. Bernie C. Cangrejo and DLSU Assistant Professor Michael Charleston B. Chua who delivered talks on upholding democracy and the common good.

Moreover, members of DOST scholars’ organizations from the participating regions spoke about their various community engagement projects. The sharing aimed to motivate the new campers to participate in acts of volunteerism and community service. Finally, the event culminated with selfreflection exercises that helped the scholars recognize their wider role as government scholars.

“The call of patriotism is formed not from the greatness that you want people to perceive you to be, but on the significance of tiny actions, from the abundance of your heart, done in the greatest of ways.” True to these words shared by DOST-SEI scholar Ms. Julie Christine C. Pindug, a BS Industrial Engineering student at Saint Louis UniversityBaguio, the scholars graduated from the leadership camp more empowered and ready to lead and serve.

DOST-CAR Kickstarts 2023 Women’s Month Celebration with a Launching Ceremony

The DOST-CAR joins in opening the women’s month celebration with the theme “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society” on the 8th of March 2023 via Zoom meeting.

Engr. Angel Maguen, ARD for Field Office Services, delivered an observance message highlighting the importance of furthering the cause of women inclusivity and gender-fairness in the workplace. “Why there is women’s month? It is to remind us that women have a good role to play in our society. It is not about women’s rights but more about women’s opportunities to excel in whatever field they choose,” he remarked.

Representatives from the different PSTOs then recited their GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) commitment pledges. The GFPS, in accordance to Section 36(b) of RA 9710, also known as the Magna Carta for Women, serves to catalyze and accelerate gender mainstreaming within the agency or local government unit.

The pledge of commitment to push forward gender and development within their respective offices were delivered by PSTD Ralph Sapi-il of PSTO Abra, Mr. Kevin Angadol of PSTO Mt. Province, Mr. Karl Ian Martinez of PSTO Kalinga, PSTD Debbie Glynn Manangkil of PSTO Apayao, PSTD Genna Jallorina of PSTO Ifugao, and PSTD Sheila Marie Singa-Claver of PSTO Benguet.

Ms. Maria Rowena C. Madarang, Chief Administrative Officer and ARD for Finance and Administrative Services, spearheaded the launching of activities for the Women’s Month celebration by presenting the list of scheduled events and activities for March 2023.

Support pledges were shared by Ms.

Nova Consuelo Santos, Ms. Alicia Balacua, and Ms. Shela Lorraine Cosalan, members of the GAD focal point system. Finally, Dr. Pepita S. Picpican, ARD for Technical Services, delivered a continuity message emphasizing the agency’s commitment and support to the advancement of women and gender equality.

The International Women’s Day, celebrated yearly on the 8th of March is recognized as a worldwide recognition for the achievement of women of all ages. It also brings forward recognition to significant women who contributed to the advancement of their gender.

DOST-CAR conducts series of Webinars in Celebration of the Women’s Month

In celebration of Women’s Month, DOST-CAR through its Human Resource Unit conducted a webinar on the Gender Responsive Programs focused on the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) and Harmonized Gender and Development Guidelines (HGDG) on March 15, 2023 and Gender Sensitivity Training (GST) on March 20, 2023 for its employees.

Gender Responsive Programs through the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF)

Maria Rowena C. Madarang, ARDFinance and Administrative Services, discussed that the goal of GMEF is to assess the gender mainstreaming status of the organization. With this, the Gender and Development Focal Point System (GFPS) members shall identify areas where the organization may improve to mainstream the Gender and Development (GAD) in the organization.

In addition, HGDG is a collection of analytical concepts and techniques, which was created to incorporate gender-sensitive issues in development initiatives and programs. It evaluates or reevaluates issues related to gender and development and makes sure that initiatives and programs reflect women’s empowerment and gender equality.

A workshop was conducted to fully understand the concepts of HGDG.

Through the orientation, the participants reached the attained outcomes, which included being able to perceive and comprehend the GMEF concept and subjecting the GIA guidelines to the HGDG.

Gender Sensitivity Training

(GST)

Gender sensitivity acknowledges that gender identity, roles, and expectations are social constructs that can be changed in order to prevent negative stereotypes and prejudices.

ARD-FAS Madarang, discussed Gender Sensitivity as a concept that refers to the recognition and understanding of the differences and inequalities between genders, and the promotion of gender equality and empowerment.

Gender sensitivity is important because gender-based discrimination and inequality continue to persist in many parts of the world, limiting the opportunities and freedoms of individuals based on their gender. Gender-sensitive approaches are needed to ensure that everyone, regardless of gender, has access to

■ JUSTIN KRIS SANTIAGO

education, healthcare, employment, and other basic rights.

One of the key goals of gender sensitivity is to promote awareness and understanding of gender issues, and to encourage individuals and organizations to take action to address them. This can involve challenging harmful stereotypes and attitudes, supporting policies and programs that promote gender equality, and empowering women and other marginalized groups.

Gender sensitivity can be promoted through a variety of means, including education, training, advocacy, and policy development. Gender sensitivity training, in particular, can be a valuable tool for promoting awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, and for building skills and knowledge around gender-sensitive practices and policies.

Overall, gender sensitivity is a crucial concept for promoting gender equality and empowerment, and for challenging harmful stereotypes and discrimination. By promoting awareness and understanding of gender-related issues, and by taking action to address them, we can build a more inclusive and equitable world for all genders.

DOST-CAR holds GAD orientation in Kalinga

The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) through its Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)– Kalinga recently conducted an orientation on Gender and Development (GAD) Principles at Grand Zion Garden Resort Hotel, Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The forum entitled “Smarter and Gender-Responsive MSMEs”, is the second part of the forum conducted on February 14, 2023 and is aligned with the 2023 Women’s Month Celebration with the theme “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”, which campaigns that growth must be inclusive, creating a setting where all Filipinos have equal opportunities and empowering them with the knowledge and abilities they need to fully participate in a dynamic and globally competitive economy.

DOST-CAR Regional Director, Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, in her video message, narrated that majority of the assisted customers of the agency are women-led enterprises especially under the food processing industry and even from the other industries that the agency is assisting. “This is a very good indication that in CAR, women are key drivers of economic growth.”, she added.

“Gender and Development (GAD) is not war of the sexes, GAD recognizes the capacities of women and men in contributing to the attainment of development goals”, emphasized by Assistant Regional Director for Finance and Administrative Services and Regional GAD Focal Person, Ms. Maria Rowena C. Madarang. She

further explained that MSME sector has the potential for generating jobs and income opportunities for women, hence, this is crucial towards nation building.

Meanwhile, to further disseminate the topic in the grassroot level, some of the participants expressed their intent to invite ARD Madarang for the conduct of orientation for their respective organizations.

This event was attended by about 70 women and men participants belonging to various sectors- MSMEs, associations, cooperatives, and students. “Kaya ti babae nga aramiden ti kaya ti lalaki, mas nakarkaru pay. (Women can also do the things men can do, they can even do more).”, said by one of the men participants expressing his support for women.

One of the attendees in the forum is

Challengers Agriculture Cooperative (CAC), a DOST-assisted cooperative in Tabuk City, which has their GAD unit in their own organization. Through this, gender issues within the organization are being addressed properly and their support was also extended to the community. The cooperative is a menled; however, majority of the members are women and their food processing unit is being managed by ten (10) women members.

Gender and Development is delicately woven in the Programs, Projects and Activities being implemented by DOST-CAR and all its six (6) provincial offices. With the battle cry, OneDOST4U, DOST is in unity in providing genderresponsive products and services for an inclusive development because no one should be left behind.

■ KARL IAN MARTINEZ

Dulche Chocolates: One of BaguioBenguet’s Cacao

Champions

Ms. Eva Ritchelle D. Padua is the owner of Baguio-Benguet’s Dulche Chocolates, established in 2017 as a bean to bar chocolate producer. She started to work with cacao growers after seeing the need to develop the cacao industry in the province, even from the propagation stage. She, with the support of different agencies, initiated the creation of Cacao Growers and Processors of BaguioBenguet Federation in 2021.

With Ms. Ritchelle’s leadership as the chairperson, the said federation helps enrich the knowledge and skills of cacao growers on cacao maintenance and cacao processing. As a woman entrepreneur, she continuously reaches out to more women and men to plant cacao as an additional source of income. She is one of Baguio-Benguet’s Cacao Champions.

Dulche Chocolates is a recipient of the Women-Helping-Women: Innovating Social Enterprises (WHWise) Program

Muscovado Sugar Made Even Sweeter

■ SHARMAINE CHOCOWEN

The Bangan Mother’s Organization of Sabangan, Mountain Province is an organization that is composed of 33 entirely women, aged 30s-70s. It is engaged in muscovado sugar production and currently farms more than five hectares (5ha) of sugarcane. It was organized way back in 2006 keeping in mind that they could be of partners with their husbands in improving the economic status of their families.

Teresita A. Tecan, the Chairman of the organization, expressed that being involved in such has given the members confidence in realizing that their roles and responsibilities as women go beyond being housemakers but as income providers at the same time.

with a project on research and development of Standardization of Ways in Enhancing and Establishing Techniques in Processing Highland Cacao (Project SWEET-PHC). It was approved in 2022 for this year’s implementation.

Through the project, it aims to enhance Dulche Chocolates processing and standardize the complete process, from planting of cacao to the procedure of tablea and chocolate making for the production of healthy and high quality chocolates out of locally-produced cacao. This innovative, commerciable, and adoptable process will be shared among women- partners growing and processing cacao of Benguet -Baguio and Region CAR as a whole.

The WHWise Program is a DOSTPCIEERD program that brings together government agencies and private organizations to seek out and prepare women-led social enterprises for growth, scalability and subsequent venture capital funding.

Indeed, the organization is a manifestation of how empowered and resilient women are as they emphasize their crucial role towards community development and in attesting that they can be at par with any gender.

So, what makes sugar even sweeter? It is the hands of these women who keep on working hard for their families and who continuously pave their way towards recognition and acceptance for an inclusive society, regardless of gender and status.

Ms. Eva Ritchelle Padua serves as trainer on a Training on Cacaobased Products Processing for cacao growers and processors in Sablan, Benguet held on June 9-10, 2022.

■ RONA MAE BAUTISTA

SIGLAT Women’s Association: Empowered by Science, Technology, and Innovation

The Samahan ng mga Interesado, Gagawin Lahat para Aangat Tayo (SIGLAT) Women’s Association, with over thirty-two (32) members in the far-flung barangay of San Ramon East of Manabo, Abra, is now a supplier of different fruit wines, muscovado sugar, “basi”, sugarcane vinegar and sugarcane juice after the S&T interventions provided by the Department of Science & Technology - Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR).

The association was established in 2020 with the goal of using chicken farming as a source of income. However, because of the abundance of their agricultural products like sugarcane, bananas, and mangoes, the members shifted to food production.

It was in December 2021 that they sought the help of the Department of Science & Technology for project collaboration. A project fund of PhP 398,000.00 was approved under the Local Grants-In-Aid program titled “Science & Technology Intervention for the Improvement of the Sugarcane Processing of SIGLAT Women’s Association.”

Through the project, DOST has provided equipment, processing center layout, Training on Fruit Wine Processing, product laboratory analysis, and appropriate packaging and labeling design with initial printing of the packaging materials.

In an interview with Manabo LGU Rural Based Organization Coordinator, Ms. Rona Brillantes, she said that the SIGLAT women are now benefitting from the different interventions provided by the DOST, making them one of the top active associations in the municipality and still aims to widen their productivity by increasing their

product reach.

The association has grown from 20 to more than 30 members, from household consumption to 14 varieties of commercially available products. To date, you can already find the SIGLAT Women’s Association products in the Abra province and some stores in Metro Manila and Ilocos Region.

The SIGLAT Women’s Association proves that women’s role in today’s world has changed significantly and for the better. The story of this group is a reminder that women don’t have to conform to certain stereotypes and women entreprenuers can break the barriers.

DOST-CAR employees undergo SciComm Training on S&T

Content Creation

The Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) conducted a three-day TrainingWorkshop on Communicating Science through Effective and Engaging Content Creation for its personnel held on February 14-16, 2023 at the H100 Ecolodge, Baguio City.

This training was organized in collaboration with the DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) to continuously improve the S&T promotion initiatives in the Cordillera Region.

DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, in her video message said, “despite our efforts, we recognize continuing improvement and opportunities for improvement which is why this training is now being conducted. It is our dream that excellent science culture will flourish in our region and of course in the country as a whole.”

Likewise, DOST-STII Director Richard P. Burgos encouraged participants to write more compelling S&T news and feature stories in the Cordillera region. “Take this opportunity to brand what we are doing. We need to stand out. We have long been the best-kept secret of the Government and we cannot afford to be that for long,” he added.

Creating and sharing relevant content such as articles, videos, infographics, and other media are recognized by

■ MARY JOY FERRER

DOST-CAR as a strategy to easily populate its existing social media platforms and in order to inform the public that indeed, science and technology is important in the quest for economic and competitive development in the Cordillera region.

Through the training, writing S&T news and feature stories and composing good photos were discussed by Ms. Jasmin Joyce P. Sevilla, Managing Editor of S&T Post, and Mr. Henry A. de Leon, DOST Resident Photographer. The do’s and don’ts of photo captioning were also shared by the experts.

DOSTv Resident Video Editor, Mr. Antonio Capinpin III also shared different stages of video production, camera angels and movement, and their usual practices in creating script and shotlist.

Moreover, DOST-STII social media administrators Mr. Allan Mauro and Ms. Esther Keziah Rapas, shared their tips in creating content for social media platforms, basic concepts of layout and design as well as the importance of identifying and developing one’s own brand in various social media pages.

More than 35 personnel from DOSTCAR provincial offices and service units attended and actively participated in the workshop activities in producing news and feature stories, audio-visual presentations, and art card for social media.

“With the new tagline of “OneDOST4U”

and the goal towards more cohesive and unified efforts for seamless delivery, greater impact and sustainability of the PPAs, DOST regional offices shall strengthen its S&T promotion and communication efforts,” said by DOSTCAR Regional Information Officer, Dr. Sheila Marie B. Singa-Claver.

DOST-CAR will push further to improve its S&T promotion and advocacy efforts to heighten stakeholders’ science appreciation in the region.

Participants of the training are conceptualizing storyline for their AVP during the workshop session on video production.

Participants of the training create art cards for social media posting during the workshop session on basic layout and design.

DOST-CAR conducts ISO 9001:2015 orientation to its employees

The Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOSTCAR) conducted an Orientation on ISO 9001:2015 to its employees.

Maria Rowena C. Madarang, Assistant Regional Director - Finance and Administrative Services (ARD-FAS), discussed how ISO 9001:2015 is a widely accepted standard for quality management systems. It provides a set of guidelines that businesses can adhere to in order to guarantee that their goods and services constantly satisfy consumer wants and expectations while also enhancing productivity and cutting down on waste. The standard was initially developed in 1987 and has since undergone multiple revisions to accommodate shifting consumer expectations and company practices. The most recent version, ISO 9001:2015, was published in September 2015 and has undergone several significant revisions. The emphasis on risk-based thinking in ISO 9001:2015 is one of the significant developments.

Organizations are now required to identify and assess risks and opportunities related to their quality management system, and to take action to address them. This approach is intended to help organizations proactively manage risks and prevent problems before they occur. Another

significant change in ISO 9001:2015 is the emphasis on leadership and engagement. Top management continues to be responsible for ensuring that the quality management system is integrated into the organization’s business processes and aligned with its overall strategy.

This includes setting quality objectives, monitoring performance, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement. ISO 9001:2015 also places a greater emphasis on stakeholder engagement. Organizations are now required to identify and understand the needs and expectations of all interested parties, including customers, employees, suppliers, and regulators, and to take action to meet those needs and expectations.

To become certified to ISO 9001:2015, organizations must undergo a formal certification process, which includes an audit of their quality management system by a thirdparty certification body. Certification can help organizations demonstrate their commitment to quality, improve customer satisfaction, and increase competitiveness in the marketplace. Overall, ISO 9001:2015 is a valuable tool for organizations of all types and sizes that are looking to improve their quality management systems. By following the standard’s requirements, organizations can ensure that they are consistently meeting customer needs and expectations, while also driving efficiency and reducing waste.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Editorial Consultants

Editor-in-Chief

Layout and Design

Contributing Writers

Nancy A. Bantog

Pepita S. Picpican

Maria Rowena C. Madarang

Sheila Marie Singa-Claver

Mary Joy Ferrer

Mary Joy Ferrer

Cecil Dionisio

Daisy Lou Quinio

Mae Lany Bangnan

Jovie Siena

Roston Bonilla

Karl Ian Martinez

Rona Mae Bautista

Sharmaine Chocowen

Hansi Dinumla

Banny Lyn Andres

Precious Abigail Aguinaldo

Jenny Rose Agtulao

Justin Kris Santiago

Elizabeth Kullalad

Eun Joo V. Kim, Intern