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 from page 01

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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-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.

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.

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.