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.” continued on pg 5

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%.

WHAT’S INSIDE

■ 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.

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.