S&T Gazette 1st Qrt of 2022

January to March 2022

DOST-CAR Regional Director, Director Lilian G. Salonga of DTI-Competitiveness Bureau, DOST-CAR officials and staff toss as they celebrate for garnering the prestigious Philippine Quality Award (PQA)- Level 1.

DOST-CAR garners Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Level 1 The DOST-CAR celebrated its pre-conferment of the 2021 Philippine Quality Award (PQA) Level 1 - Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management on February 11, 2022 at the Regional Office in La Trinidad, Benguet.

In a simple program, DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog led officials and staff from the DOST-CAR Regional Office and six (6) Provincial S&T Centers (PSTC) of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province in welcoming the team from the PQA and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Competitiveness Bureau headed by Director Lilian G. Salonga. DOST Secretary Prof. Fortunato T. Dela Peña and DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang graced the event virtually.

Top officials of the DOST-CAR were also present: Dr. Pepita S. Picpican, ARD for Technical Services; Ms. Maria Rowena C. Madarang, ARD for Finance and

Administrative Services; and Engr. Angel L. Maguen, ARD for Field Operations Services, PSTCs headed by PSTC-Abra PSTD Engr. Ralf B. Sapi-il, PSTC - Apayao PSTD Engr. Debbie Glynn V. Manangkil, PSTC-Benguet PSTD Dr. Sheila Marie B. Singa-Claver, PSTC-Ifugao PSTD Engr.

Genna B. Jallorina, PSTC-Kalinga PSTD Jasmin Donaal, and PSTC-Mountain Province PSTD Mr. Alfonso K. Berto.

After its successful application in 2021 for the Level 1 - Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management, DOST-CAR has garnered the prestigious award, which included accomplishments for the period 2016 to 2020. Key areas on (1) leadership; (2) Strategic Planning; (3) Customers; (4) Measurement, Analysis and Knowledge

WHAT’S INSIDE? 02

DOST-CAR Jumpstarts Firms with SETUP in CAR for CY 2022

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21 Students from CAR Qualify for 2021 JLSS Program

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DOST-CAR, BSU conduct Climate-Resilient Technology Forum in Itogon, Benguet

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DOST-North Luzon Cluster holds forum on Gender Mainstreaming in the Community

DOST-CAR joins DOST-FNRI’s Launching of Orange and Purple Sweetpotato Variant of E-Nutribun

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DOST-PCIEERD, DOST-CAR held onsite monitoring of Program Boondock in Benguet and Mountain Province

Management; (5) Workforce; (6) Operations; and (7) results were assessed.

The PQA awards serve to establish benchmarks and models for other organizations in the Philippines in terms of best practices and high-quality organizational performance. It is the highest level of recognition given to any government and private organization for exemplary organizational performance, thus making it one of the most coveted awards in the country. Further, the Recognition for Commitment to Quality Management is given to organizations that demonstrated its serious commitment in improvement to achieve performance and quality excellence. Their foundation must be rooted in quality and productivity to reap long-term benefits for the organization.

The DOST-CAR continues to commit to “break the barriers,” and in creating a science culture not only in the Cordillera region but in the whole country as well.

■Christian Sandoval 10 DOST-CAR holds radio connectivity testing in support to DRRM in Abra

Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

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Officials and staff from the DOST-CAR pose for a group photo with the respective owners and representatives of the 8 firms in Baguio City and Benguet which are enrolled under the SETUP for CY 2022.

DOST-CAR Jumpstarts Firms with SETUP in CAR for CY 2022 DOST-CAR continues with its initiatives to pursue new partnerships with fourteen (14) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and stakeholders in the provinces of Abra, Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga through signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) in separate events last week.

In Kalinga, PSTC-Kalinga, headed by OIC-PSTD Dexy M. Catacutan signed MOAs with five SETUP-assisted firms: (1) Skidmarks Tires and Auto Supply, (2) Kalinga Mountain Food Products, (3) Parway’s (4) Handicrafts Manufacturing, and (5) EJ Food Products on February 1, 2022. Similarly, the S&T interventions through the MOAs with the respective adoptors are provision of production equipment and technology trainings.

Further, staff from the PSTC-Kalinga organized a whole-day training on Fruit Wine Processing at the Awichon Village in the town of Lubuagan, Kalinga on January 22, 2022. Eighteen (18) members of the beneficiary group Kalasag Farmers and Irrigators Association (KFIA) actively participated in the activity.

Other interventions for the communitybased project include provision of wine processing tools and packaging materials, product label design and product laboratory analyses.

NEWS

In Abra, a SETUP project was initiated through a MOA-signing activity headed

by PSTD Engr. Ralf B. Sapi-il on February 1, 2022. Under the agreement, Pablo’s Bakeshop in Licuan-Baay Abra will be provided with production equipment, and relevant capacity-building trainings to help increase their productivity and competitiveness, among others.

Meanwhile, PSTC-Ifugao, led by PSTD Engr. Genna B. Jallorina, held a MOAsigning event with SETUP adoptor Tonton’s Iron Works and Welding in Lamut, Ifugao on February 1, 2022 for the provision of equipment and related trainings for the member-beneficiary group to help their operations and production more efficient.

B. Singa-Claver and DOST-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Field Operations Engr.

Angel L. Maguen were also on hand to express their support and encouragement to the MSMEs to avail of the DOST services under the SETUP program, which has a total approved funding of P5.13 million.

Meanwhile, Mr. Elmer Macalingay, a seasoned business owner (Health 100 Restoreant) and multiple BEST SETUP Adoptor awardee, related his journey as a starting entrepreneur to the S&T interventions that helped pave the way operations and production.

To help them boost the firms’ competitiveness and stand out in the market, DOST-CAR Science Research Analyst Mr. Ramiel L. Lagaban, presented the packaging, labeling and design services of the DOST-CAR’s Packaging Innovation Center.

In a face-to-face MOA signing event on February 3, 2022 at the Fortune Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant in Baguio City, eight (8) MSME-beneficiaries under SETUP in Benguet (5) and Baguio City (3) will be started.

The MSME-beneficiaries, represented

by Tom Christian Lomas-e, President of Emma’s Special Food Manufacturing - One Person Corporation (OPC), extended their gratitude to DOST for giving them S&T opportunities for their business to grow.

In her message, DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog thanked the MSMEs for availing the services of DOST-CAR in building up their businesses, inspiring the new DOST-CAR cooperators by highlighting the role of MSMEs in nation building especially in areas of inclusive and sustainable economy.

The following are the SETUP cooperators in Baguio City and Benguet for CY 2022: N.P. Milo Machine Shop, Tereeque Food Products, Agreach Products Corp., Uptown Iron Works, Gaewen Vegetable Farm, Denden’s Furniture and Handicraft, Emma’s Special Food Manufacturing, and Veckamps Printing Press.

■Christian Sandoval

PSTC-Benguet Director Dr. Sheila Marie

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Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

Benguet farmers briefed on Climate-Resilient Agricultural Technologies

activity, which he hopes to have helped farmers in their knowledge and skills on better farming.

In light of the emerging challenges in farming due to climate change, the DOST-CAR in partnership with the Benguet State University (BSU) - College of Agriculture Farming Extension Services conducted a technology forum on ClimateResilient Agricultural Technologies on January 31, 2022 in Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet.

This activity is a result of the BaguioBenguet stakeholders’ forum in October 2021 where needs of the stakeholders, to include the Indigenous People in Itogon, were gathered and considered for intervention. ■

In her message, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy A. Bantog encouraged the participants to become smart agripreneurs as they continue to learn new techniques and technologies in farming.

Eleven (11) farmer-organizations from Barangay Dalupirip and Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet attended the forum.

the different aspects of Climate Smart Agriculture: BSU-College of Agriculture (CA) Dean Dr. Janet Pablo on ClimateSmart Agriculture Assessment for Selected Crops, Cordillera Organic Agriculture Research & Development Center Director Mr. Alexander Fagyan on the BSU Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies for Vegetable Farms in Benguet) and BSU-CA Animal Science Faculty Mr. Leo Laruan on Climate Resilient Agriculture Practices for Livestock and Poultry Production.

At the forum, Tinongdan Indigenous Peoples Incorporated President Mr. Norberto Pacio expressed his appreciation for the conduct of the

Alexander Fagyan presents to the participants the BSU Climate Smart Agriculture Technologies for Vegetable Farms in Benguet.

Resource Speakers from the partner academe were on hand to discuss

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Dr. Janet Pablo during her dicussion on Climate-Smart Agriculture Assessment for Selected Crops

Research and Development not communicated is research not done.

Rowena Christina Guevara, DOST-Undersecretary for Research Development

and

Officials and staff from the DOST-CAR, resource speakers, and participants pose for a photo during the technology forum at the Binga Indigenous People’s Cultural Heritage Site Gym in Itogon, Benguet on January 31, 2022.

Mr. Leo Laruan during his discussion on the Climate Resilient Agriculture Practices for Livestock and Poultry Production.

CORNER

GAD

(from top row, counterclockwise) DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog; Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro; ASec or Human Resources Management, Management Finance and Services Maria Rowena Madarang; Journalist and DAG Advocate Sonia Capio; and PCW Senior GAD Specialist Queennie Militar.

DOST-North Luzon Cluster holds forum on Gender Mainstreaming In celebration of National Women’s month, the Department of Science and Technology – North Luzon Cluster composed of Regions CAR, I, II and III conducted a virtual forum on “Gender Mainstreaming in the Community” on March 22, 2022 with DOST-CAR at the helm.

ASec Diane Ignacio, DOST Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management, Management Services, and Special Concerns, opened the forum by stating, “all departments shall adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy to promote women’s rights and eliminate gender discrimination in their systems, structures, policies, programs, and procedure”. She also added that gender mainstreaming promotes gendersensitive societies shared by women and men in equal measure.

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As part of the forum, Dr. Gerlyn V. Arciaga, Development Management Officer of Davao City Mayor’s Office, shared the gender mainstreaming efforts of Davao City on the development of gender sensitive policies and concepts for gender equality and women empowerment. In 2015, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Davao City was among the first five (5) LGUs recognized by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its notable Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives and programs.

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A screenshot of Dr. Arciaga’s lecture on the gender mainstreaming efforts of Davao City on the development of gender sensitive policies and concepts for gender equality and women empowerment.

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Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

During the forum on gender mainstreaming, the CEST Tublay was featured for CAR. Highlighted initiatives include the provision of S&T equipment for peanut butter and other peanut product processing to the Ambassador of Solo Parents Organization (ASPO); Employability Enhancement of the Differently Abled Person of Tublay through S&T Intervention by Providing Proper Sewing Equipment; Upgrading of Vermicompost Production for the Bakigue MPC; Enhancement of the Food Processing of Togoy Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative through S&T Intervention; Alternative Technology on Plastic Waste Reduction Management for the Municipality of Tublay, Benguet; Scholarship Support; Provision of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS); Development of Site-specific Threshold for Deep-Seated Landslides and Slope Failures (DYNASLOPE) of DOST-PHILVOLCS; and Disaster Risk Reduction of Climate Change Impacts in Vegetable Terrace Farms in Benguet of DOSTPCAARRD and Benguet State University.

Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro also expressed his gratitude to the DOST interventions that has greatly helped this 5th class municipality “but is made of 1st class people”, he added.

In her closing remarks, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog extended her appreciation to the DOST North Luzon Cluster as well as the invited guests and reactors who all contributed to the success of the activity. “We are all the more encouraged in pursuing our mantra, science for the people, and in achieving our goal for sustainable and inclusive men and women development” she asserted.

■MARY JOY FERRER Services, and Special Concerns Diane Ignacio; ARD-

g in the Community

hermore, the DOST North Luzon Cluster’s der mainstream efforts in the implementation Community Empowerment thru Science Technology (CEST) project to identified mmunities was also highlighted in the forum.

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All departments shall adopt gender mainstreaming as a strategy to promote women’s rights and eliminate gender discrimination in their systems, structures, policies, programs, and procedure” Diane Ignacio, DOST Assistant Secretary for Human Resources Management, Management Services, and Special Concerns

CEST project aims to improve the standard living of the economically challenged mmunities through its five (5) entry points mely (1) economic development, (2) health nutrition, (3) environmental protection and servation, (4) human resource development, (5) disaster risk reduction and climate gation.

T as Response to Women’s Economic powerment in CAR

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The Ambassador of Solo Parents Organization (ASPO), one of the CEST beneficiaries in Tublay, Benguet where S&T equipment for peanut butter and other peanut product processing were provided to thier association.

GAD

CORNER

DOST-CAR has widely implemented the CEST ect in the vulnerable areas of the Cordillera ministrative Region with 49 such projects lemented in 31 municipalities. Specifically, a has covered six (6) municipalities, Apayao(4), Benguet- four (4), Ifugao- six (6), nga- five (5), and Mountain Province- six All projects had a funding requirement of 38,862,176 covering all five (5) entry points of CEST program.

Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

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21 Students from CAR Qualify for 2021 JLSS Program DOST-CAR proudly announced the twenty-one (21) students from CAR who are among the qualifiers of the DOST-Science Education Institute’s (SEI) 2021 Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS) Program: one (1) from Abra, eight (8) from Baguio City, six (6) from Benguet, one (1) from Ifugao, four (4) from Kalinga and one (1) from Mountain Province.

The following are the qualifiers under each program: RA 7687 program: Jasper Amiel P. Alangdeo, Beatrice Nicole L. Choy, Hanarie G. Dugyangan, Eun Joo V. Kim, Venisce Arvie P. Lardizabal, and Marjory J. Nimer. Merit program: Christopher F. Purugganan, Bryan Paul C. Balancia, Dam-ay Ethelle B. Capegsan, Sean Ernest S. Empizo, Gian Cydney M. Genove, Andrea Nicole O. Lachica, Darren Grey C. Napeek, Praise W. Napiloy, Marion Jenny D. Puday, and Dajen S. Torralba. RA 10612 program: Lovelyn A. Agumiyeng, Aiyana Joy D. Anievas, Allean B. Dogao, Anirose L. Morados, and Lorry Ann B. Salido.

The JLSS program is one of the DOST undergraduate scholarship programs for 3rd year college students, currently enrolled in priority S&T courses in accredited universities. This program covers three (3) types of scholarship namely RA 7687, Merit and RA 10612. The first provides scholarships to talented and deserving students whose families’ socio-economic status does not exceed the set cutoff values of certain indicators. Qualifiers must pursue priority fields of study in the basic sciences, engineering, other applied sciences, and science and mathematics teaching. Meanwhile, the Merit scholarship program is awarded to students with high aptitude in science and mathematics and are willing to pursue careers in the field of science and technology.

The RA 10612 aims to strengthen the country’s science and technology education by fast-tracking graduates in science, mathematics and engineering who shall teach science and mathematics in secondary schools throughout the country.

The schedule of orientation will be informed to the qualifiers the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, qualifiers to the program will enjoy various scholarship benefits, such as tuition and other school fees, book allowance, and monthly living allowance for two to three years. Specifically, benefits include P40,000.00 tuition fee per Academic Year;

P10,000 book allowance per academic year, and P7,000 monthly stipend; and P10,000.00 thesis allowance.

However, scholars must maintain good academic standing to enjoy the said benefits.

The application for the 2022 Junior Level Scholarship will be announced soon. Eligible applicants are incoming regular 3rd year college students of SY 2022-2023 and enrolled in S&T priority courses in identified institutions with at least 83% GWA. ■NOVEME-AN A-AYO

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Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

DOST-CAR joins DOST-FNRI’s Launching of Orange and Purple Sweetpotato Variant of E-Nutribun The DOST-CAR joined DOSTFood and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) on the virtual launching of Orange and Purple Sweetpotato Variant of Enhanched Nutribun with the theme, “OooPs… may bagong variants ng Enhanced Nutribun!

Orange and Purple Sweetpotato naman!” on February 16, 2022.

The launching was attended by the National Government Agencies (NGAs), private institutions, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), as well as the current and future adoptors of the technology.

According to Dr. Imelda AngelesAgdeppa, DOST-FNRI Director and Scientist II, the new variants of E-Nutribun are more appealing and appetizing to children. She indicates that one serving of orange variant weighing 165 grams has 502 calories, 17 grams of protein, 6 milligrams of iron, 401 micrograms of vitamin A which can provide 100% dietary requirement of vitamin A. While the purple variant (165g) has 500 calories, 17.5 of protein, 6 milligram of iron, 384 microgram of vitamin A which can provide 96% dietary

requirement of vitamin A. During his inspirational message, DOST Secretary Hon. Fortunato T. De la Peña, highlighted the direct benefits of E-Nutribun technology to the public which include additional income to farmers in the region and business opportunities to MSMEs, entails job creation and profit generation, and address nutrient gap among children through the Department of Education (DepEd) School Based Feeding Program, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Supplementary Feeding Program, and National Nutrition Council (NNC) Tutok Kainan Supplementation Program.

Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development; Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services; and Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations, delivered their message of support in the launching of new variants of E-Nutribun.

Dr.

Nancy

A.

Bantog,

DOST-

CAR Regional Director, expressed her support by emphasizing the opportunities of the new variants to the farmers and the nutritional benefits to Filipino children. “Aside from the nutritional value added from the Enhanced Nutribun, we are at the same time supporting the farmers to have an alternative market for their sweetpotato produce”, Dr. Bantog said. continued on page 10

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Aside from the nutritional value added from the Enhanced Nutribun, we are at the same time supporting the farmers to have an alternative market for their sweetpotato produce.

Nancy A. Bantog, DOST-CAR Regional Director

Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

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DOST-PCIEERD, DOST-CAR held onsite monitoring of Program Boondock in Benguet and Mountain Province The DOST-PCIEERD and DOST-CAR held onsite monitoring of ongoing projects under the Niche Centers for the Region (NICER) Program “Boondock: A Mountain Engineering Center Towards Sustainable Infrastructure and Upland Water Security” on March 2 to 5, 2022 in Benguet and Mountain Province.

Project 1: Slope Stability Analysis and Engineering Intervention for Rice Terraces and Road Infrastructure in Terrain Areas Project leader Engr. Rhonjhon R. Garming of the Kalinga State University (KSU) guided the team in the project site visit in Sabangan and Maligcong, Bontoc, in Mountain Province on March 4-5, 2022. The project team was able to conduct slope stability analysis and create site-specific slope structure models as intervention to stabilize the slopes/ mitigate landslides.

The project intends to introduce engineering intervention technology for restoring the rice terraces in Banaue, Ifugao and in Maligcong, Bontoc Mountain Province and to analyze and design viable engineering interventions for landslide prone areas along road sections in Sallapadan, Abra; Kabugao, Apayao; Itogon, Benguet; Tinglayan, Kalinga; and in Sabangan, Mountain Province.

(From left to right). The DOST-CAR Regional Director Dr. Nancy A. Bantog, Mountain Province Provincial Tourism Officer Mr. Roger Sacyaten, Program Manager (DOST-PCIEERD) Engr. Carluz R. Bautista during their project site visit in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Project 2: Improving the Livelihood of MSMEs thru Cable Supported Water and Transport Infrastructure As a component project of the Mountain Engineering Program which aims to improve the livelihood of MSMEs, the project 2 focuses on developing two cable supported systems, one for tramline transport in Bauko, Mountain Province, and one for irrigation and domestic in Tublay, Benguet.

In Tublay, Benguet, a 3-kilometer-long CableSupported Irrigation Pipeline System (CIPS) is set to build from Barangay Ambassador to the distribution area in Barangay Ba-ayan for farm irrigation purposes and domestic use. The project team is also eyeing another site for water irrigation in Mountain Province.

Meanwhile, a Cableway for Agricultural Resource Transport System (CARTS) is set to stand in Monamun Sur, Bauko, Mountain Province.

Plans for the project site, to include its design and development, are on the works, in close coordination with the LGU Bauko. This project led by Engr. Janice Kaye L. Aquino of Saint Louis University (SLU) will consequently improve agricultural activities and outputs in the CAR provinces.

This will soon be replaced with a modified carriage which can carry 500 kg load designed by the project.

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Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

Project 3: Upland River and Spring Water Assessment and Monitoring The project for springs and rivers covers the provinces of Kalinga and Mountain Province in the region. The project focuses on the utilization of existing technologies in spring and river monitoring.

Depth gauge, rain gauge and water monitoring system were already installed in Chico River for real time monitoring and analysis. Currently, the project team is conducting modelling for upland water catchment waterless communities through Geographic Information System (GIS) assisted scenario analysis.

Led by Engr. Nathaniel Vincent A. Lubrica of University of the Cordilleras (UC), the development of a web portal towards management and decision making is one of the innovations in the project. Aside from the web portal, interventions for a sustainable mountain development will be undertaken in partnership with respective LGUs and DPWH.

Project 4: Development of Artificial Groundwater recharge Facility for Drought and Flooding Mitigation The project Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility (AGRF) for Drought and Flooding Mitigation was primarily conceived to address the growing demand for usable freshwater supply for the City of Baguio and the town of La Trinidad, Benguet.

The designed optimization and layout of the proposed aquifer recharged system was already completed by the project team led by Engr. Glady Mae Vijandre of Watershed and Water Resources, Research, Development and Extension Center (WWRRDEC). For its part, LGU La Trinidad commissioned the drilling, construction and installation of the groundwater monitoring system which started in March 2022.

In Baguio City, close coordination with the City Government of Baguio is being done by the project team to establish a seamless transition in the implementation of the AGRF in the city.

The AGRF Project will attempt to resolve or address the issue on reduced recharge zone and increase the amount of rainwater that soaks underground, and hence optimizing the recharging of aquifers within the project sites.

Weather monitoring sensor installed at Samoki Bridge, Bontoc, Mountain Province with rain gauge and river water level with real time monitoring that soon shall be accessed in the Program Boondock webpage.

The R&D program, which was launched in June 2021, aims to aid in the preservation of the region’s mountains amid natural disasters and urbanization through innovative engineering solutions, is the second Niche Centers in the Regions (NICER) in CAR under the DOSTScience for Change Program.

Official Publication of the Department of Science and TechnologyCordillera Administrative Region January to March 2022

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DOST-CAR joins DOST-FNRI’s Launching......

from page 7

Participants during the discussions of the meeting with farmer-members of the CGPBBF, Benguet-PAO, DTI-Benguet, and DA-CAR.

DOST-CAR set to boost cacao industry in Benguet through CAPE DOST-CAR hosted a meeting on February 4, 2022 with officials and representatives from the Cacao Growers and Processors of BaguioBenguet Federation (CGPBBF), Local Government of Unit of BenguetProvincial Agriculture Office, Department of Agriculture- Cordillera Regional Field Operation (DA-RFO), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)- Benguet, in addressing the farmers’ technical needs through the DOST- Consultancy for Agriculture Productivity Enhancement (CAPE).

on production, technology needs, and post-harvest. Also, Research and Development initiatives in cacao processing, especially on the fermentation process, is being eyed in partnership with Research and Development Institutes.

The cacao industry has long been existing in the province of Benguet, however, productivity remains a concern.

In 2016, the PLGU-Benguet, through the initiative of the former Benguet Mr. Brent Atew of the Office of the Governor Cresencio Pacalso, started Provincial Agriculture-Benguet the development of the cacao industry presented further trainings and and allotted funds for distribution of technical assistance while trainors grafted cacao seedlings starting in from the DA and DTI shared their 2017. various efforts in support of the local cacao industry such as distribution of fertilizers and the move to establish Shared Service Facility for cacao.

As a way forward, the DOST-CAPE will benefit farmers to include consultancy

EDITORIAL BOARD Writers

Allyssa Oppas Christian Albert Sandoval Mary Joy Ferrer Noveme-an A-ayo

Layout and Design Mary Joy Ferrer

Editor

Sheila Marie Singa-Claver

A screenshot during the virtual launching of E-nutribun Orange and Sweetpotato Variant with DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña.

Sweetpotato is coined as a “superfood” because of the amount of nutrients it contains.

Sweetpotatoes are good source of fiber, potassium, vitamins, and rich in antioxidant called beta carotene.

The generation of the new variants of E-Nutribun is the final product of the collaboration project between DOST-CAR as the funding agency and DOST-FNRI as the implementing agency entitled “Development and Scale-up Production of Enhanced Nutribun Sweet Potato Variant ”.

Currently, there are ten (10) technology adoptors in the Cordillera region: Kalinga (5), Apayao (2), Ifugao (1), Benguet (1) and Mt. Province (1). All are adoptors of squash variant and seven (7) among them are adoptors of the carrot variant.

The launching of the new variants of sweetpotato E-Nutribun will help in eradicating the malnutrition problem in the country and will also provide additional opportunities for farmers and MSMEs nationwide.

■ALLYSSA OPPAS

Editorial Consultants

Nancy Bantog Pepita Picpican Maria Rowena Madarang