“Better ASU researches this year”–PCARRD

By Lelisa J. Teodosio, RMIS Representative

and Sally R. Villasis, RACG Representative

Aklan State University

Photos from PCARRD ACD

The quality of research in Aklan State University (ASU) is much better than it was two or three years earlier.

This is according to Dr. Lily Ann Lando, director of the Applied Communication Division (ACD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) who delivered her speech in the closing rites of the ASU In-house Review on July 14–15, 2011 at the ASU Review Center, Banga, Aklan.

Commending ASU for hosting the “very important event,” Lando (see photo) likewise urged the researchers to continue to do research because ASU has a “big responsibility for being a Regional University.” According to Lando, researchers must lead the way not only for the ASU community but also for their colleagues in the region’s other universities.

ASU led the in-house review this year to mainstream its programs towards agriculture and fishery. The conference convened researchers from ASU’s five campuses who presented a total of 45 research papers. Of these, five are ongoing, 24 are proposed while 16 have already been completed.

Cited best papers for agri-fishery and eco-tourism were the “Inventory and Bioprospecting of Natural Dye-Yielding Plants in the Province of Aklan” presented by Arlene Dela Cruz, et.al.; “Yield Performance of Pummelo var. Helmar as Affected by Pruning and Different Source of Fertilizer” by Michael Ibisate, et.al.; and “Resource Assessment of Brackish Rivers of New Washington, Aklan” by Zaida Ochavo, et.al.

Under the education, socioeconomics and related fields, the best papers were “Perception and Acceptance of Fingerprint Biometric Technology among Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel of ASU: Basis for Policy Recommendation” by Alfonsa Fanie Radislao, et.al.; “Learning Strategies of BSEd 3 Students in English Language Proficiency as a Second Language” authored by Librada Rebustes, et.al.; and “Leadership Dimension among Deans and Directors of Aklan State University: Its Implications to Public Administration.”

Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Vice-President for Research and Extension of ASU said that “what makes a university is its research. And so to sustain further improvement of the quality of researches in the University, we hosted the in-house review.” Relingo also acts as Regional Techno Gabay Coordinator of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).

Featuring the expertise of the University’s partner institutions, ASU invited selected panel evaluators to help enhance the research and development initiatives of the University.

For agri-fishery and eco-tourism, the panelists were Dr. Lily Ann D. Lando; Mr. Rolando V. Labios, chief agriculturist and coordinator for research office of the Director of the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Agricultural Research (DA-BAR) and Dr. Ulysses M. Montojo, senior aquaculturist and in-charge of planning, monitoring and evaluation division of DA-National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.

The same panel included WESVARRDEC Director Joseph Edward O. Idemne who was represented by Dr. Geronimo L. Gregorio, vice-president for research and extension of the Capiz State University (CapSU) and coordinator of WESVARRDEC R&D Group; and Dr. Jonic Natividad, regional veterinary quarantine officer of DA-Regional Field Office 6.

For education, socioeconomics and related fields, the evaluators were Dr. Evelyn L. Gregorio, faculty of CapSU Graduate School and social science researcher; Ms. Andrea Panilla, senior science research specialist of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) 6; and Dr. Ersyl T. Biray, vice-president for academic affairs of ASU.

For his part, ASU President Danilo E. Abayon said that “we can do something after several years of inculcating the need to conduct research by the faculty.” For Abayon (see photo), it is also good to see that the University is getting mature in terms of the conduct of research. In his first year as president, Abayon stressed that researchers should publish in international journals, as they have already gone through national and international presentations.

Abayon also cited that researchers ought to revive many centers in the University such as the Center for Productive Use of Renewable Energy. He also encouraged to launch operations of the biodiesel plant and establish partnership with DOST for the Natural Dye Technology Resource Center. Abayon also urged everyone to sustain many other projects geared towards the improvement of the University’s R&D and extension programs.

MS Tubongbanua’s McNester Food Products named best regional micro enterprise

By Isaac T. Abello

Staff

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

WESVARRDEC

In the first Regional Star Awards for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held during the Western Visayas Regional Development Council Meeting on June 30, 2011 in Bacolod City, the McNester Food Products was cited outstanding micro enterprise.

McNester Food Products is the mango processing enterprise owned and operated by Rebecca Tubongbanua, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center of Guimaras Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).

Rosa Foods from Aklan won in the Small Enterprise category, while Waffle Time Inc. from Iloilo won Best Medium Enterprise.

HOW DO YOU NAME A SUCCESS LIKE REBECCA?

WESVARRDEC MS Rebecca Tubongbanua (center) receives

the plaque from the DTI as witnessed (from left) by Capiz Governor

Victor Tanco, chairperson of Regional Development Council VI;

Guimaras Governor Felipe Nava; DTI 6 Regional Director Nick Abad

and RDC VI Vice-Chairperson Marissa Segovia.

The regional winners were chosen by the DTI’s provincial Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council. McNester Foods posted high in enterprise performance which covers growth in sales, in employment, investments and best practices.

MS Tubongbanua’s McNester Food Products, along with the regional winners, will compete in the national selection led by the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Council.

The FITS Center is a technology transfer facility under the Techno Gabay program of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), one of the 14 national consortia under the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). PCARRD works under the banner of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

MS Tubongbanua's latest national publicity is a feature article on her dried mangoes and other prodicts written by Melpha Abello and published in the July 2011 issue of monthly publication Agriculture by the Manila Bulletin.

MS Tubongbanua's latest national publicity is a feature article

(see photo) on her dried mangoes and other products

written by Melpha Abello and published in the July 2011

issue of monthly publication Agriculture by the Manila Bulletin.

CHSMC hosts 1st SK Kampo Kalikasan

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG)

Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

“To contribute to the worldwide efforts of mitigating problems and issues on our environment,” the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College (CHMSC) Fortune Towne Campus led the environmental youth camp dubbed as the first Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kampo Kalikasan June 1, 2011 at the University of Saint La Salle (USLS) Eco-park in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City.

Themed “Dare to be Different,” Kampo Kalikasan was organized by the Students’ Actions Vital to the Environment and Mother Earth Movement or (SAVE ME Movement) of the CHMSC Fortune Towne Campus with the leadership and support of Barangay Estefania SK chaired by Karen P. Villarosa.

A national organization registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), SAVE ME Movement was named Ten Accomplished Youth Organization Awardee in 2006 and one of the Top Ten Youth Outstanding Organizations in the Philippines in 2003.

Attended by some 70 youth participants from Barangay Estefania, the Kampo Kalikasan is one the strategies launched as a response to the research findings conducted Dr. Ma Teresita Ballados. Ballados’s study found that the residents of Bacolod City have poor solid Waste Management (SWM) practices. SWM includes waste segregation, collection and transport, disposal and recycling.

Sampling some 269 respondents from Barangay 10, Barangay 19, Sum-ag and Estefania, all of Bacolod City, said study found that waste disposals are rampant in the streets, rivers and open sewerage.

After Dr. Eduardo G. Sayson, executive director of CHMSC Fortune Towne, opened the program, Mr. David G. Castor of the Negros Forest and Ecological Foundation (NFEF, Inc.) provided participants a national situationer, stressing on the present condition of the Philippine biodiversity.

Castor also shared on the importance of environmental education to help increase environmental awareness among constituents and to facilitate social programs and projects to maintain a sustainable and environmentally friendly community.

Prof. Jethro B. Dagunan of CHMSC lectured on climate change and the phenomenal causes of the problem and concrete possible solutions as regards solid waste management under Republic Act No. 9003.

After the youth camp, the CHMSC Fortune Towne, spearheaded by the SAVE ME Movement, will organize the Barangay Estefania Youth who are envisioned to become movers of the possible solutions of the SWM problem implementation and disaster risk mitigation in Bacolod City.

Publish more articles, RACG reps urged

By Van Kristine Mendoza

Representative

Regional Applied Communication Group

West Visayas State University

“Write more articles on activities from your own agencies,” Dr. Cora Navarra of the Capiz State University (CapSU), coordinator of Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the WESVARRDEC urged the representatives to submit more articles and have them published on several media.

The RACG coordinator made the pronouncement before RACG representatives of the consortium’s partner member agencies during their second Quarterly Meeting on July 7, 2011 at the Dumalag FITS Center in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz. said that over 40 articles were written by WESVARRDEC’s RACG and staff in the first two quarters of the year. Said articles were posted on wesvarrdec.blogspot.com, a blogsite maintained by RACG and on wesvarrdec.org, a web portal updated by the Regional Management Information Systems Group (RMISG) led by Nilo Araneta of UP Visayas.

Most of these articles were picked up by the PCARRD portal maintained by the Applied Communication Division (ACD) headed by Director Lily Ann Lando and were also published by Panay News, an Iloilo City-based daily broadsheet with national circulation.

“Bisan ano nga activity or event sa inyo agency o sang inyo mangin maayo nga balita (Any activity or event in your agency or your MS that is well packaged becomes news worthy of publication),” Navarra said.

According to Navarra, RACG even needs to beef up the production of articles because the impact of the articles has been overwhelmingly beneficial in promoting the products of the region’s farmer scientists and FITS Centers. The more articles, the better the promotion, Navarra said.

Prolific publication of said articles has also helped the consortium because it promotes the activities of Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) through media exposure. For one, the McNester products, particularly the mango ketchup and mango sauce, of MS Rebecca Tubongbanua of FITS OPA Guimaras have received more orders from local and foreign buyers owing to the worldwide publicity afforded to the said farmer scientist.

“Manami gid kung ma-interview kag ma-package ninyo ang inyong Magsasakang Siyentista through articles para ma-replicate man sang iban sang ila technology nga ginagamit, (It would be best if you could personally interview your MS and their technologies and write about them so others could replicate these technologies,” Navarra said, citing that if at all, the consortium’s MS need all possible media coverage that they can get.

According to Navarra, some of the published articles will be included in The WESVARRDEC Monitor, the consortium’s publication published twice a year.

The WESVARRDEC RACG led by Coordinator Cora Navarra

of Capiz State University (seated, second from left) held their

meeting at the Dumalag FITS Center under the leadership of

Manager Ronelyn de Tomas (seated, third from left).

It’s hard. It’s like wood. It’s FITS Dumalag's engineered bamboo.

By Jethro B. Dagunan

Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) Representative

Carlos Hilado Carlos Hilado Memorial State College

With reports from Bernie Protacio and Niño Manaog

Photos by Jethro B. Dagunan & WESVARRDEC RMIS

A substitute for expensive, hard-to-find hardwood furniture material can be found in the town of Dumalag in the province of Capiz.

This is the engineered bamboo made by Mr. Randy Fancubila, Magsasaka Siyentista (MS) of the Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Center based in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz.

The said MS commodity caught the attention of the representatives of the Regional Applied Communication Group (RACG) of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) during their second quarter meeting held at Dumalag FITS Center on July 7, 2011.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo can be considered the result of Filipino ingenuity and innovativeness. Fancubila makes engineered bamboo planks. Procedures involve making bamboo slats of the same size and length, smoothening each slat and applying glue on one surface of each slat and sticking one on top of another. Then it is compressed using a compressing machine, and then a sturdy bamboo board is finished.

Fancubila’s engineered bamboo undergoes several procedures. First, the bamboos are soaked in boiling water treated with insecticide or chemicals like Cymbush, WoodTech and DOT. The first two insecticides make the material bukbok-proof while the last one cleans the material’s texture. Then, bamboo slats are sun-dried. Then, using a thickness planer, MS Fancubila turns out flat moldings through surfacing. The flat moldings or layers are then glued using a woodworking adhesive. After a sanding sealer polishes the materials they are dried and polished with abrasive paper. After the slats are colored or varnished, they are dried for three to six hours. Then the bamboo boards are finished and ready.

MS Fancubila’s finished material looks like plywood which can be used in making beautiful furniture like table. Fancubila’s engineered bamboo table looks like a unique wood or plywood. Its thickness depends on the number of bamboo wood layers piled and compressed. According to MS Fancubila, this finished material is termite-resistant because it is treated with insect repellants and chemicals.

Because the use of hardwood for furniture and housing nowadays is expensive, going back to using bamboo as hardwood substitute is very practical and economical. In fact, well-prepared bamboo planks can compete well with hardwood in the local and foreign markets.

MS Randy Fancubila (right) entertains queries on his bamboo technology

from a walk-in visitor of the FITS Dumalag booth during the WESVARRDEC's

first Regional Technop Gabay Summit and Technomart at the Amigo Plaza Mall

in Iloilo City in May this year.

CapSU Dayao leads mangrove reforestation drive in Talon, Roxas City

By Joselito Sitjar

Extension Chairperson

CapSU Dayao

In support of its ongoing Mangrove Reforestation Project launched in September last year, the Capiz State University (CapSU) Dayao Campus through its Fishery department led the mangrove trees planting in barangay Talon, Roxas City recently.

TROPANG KATUNGGAN

Fishery majors of Capiz State University Dayao Campus

take part in this reforestation drive, which also

inspires others to do something for Mother Nature.

The CapSU Dayao team led by Prof. Domingo Allanic, Prof. Joselito Sitjar, Prof. Pascasio Reyes and Prof. Eddie Tupaz spearheaded the planting of mangrove trees along the shoreline of the said barangay. Some 20 Talon barangay officials and barangay folk and the Fishery students representing all levels of CapSU Dayao took part in the initiative.

According to Mr. Domingo Allanic, mangrove reforestation coordinator of CapSU Dayao, the initiative has been launched to create awareness and promote environmental protection of the people of barangay Talon, its neighboring community. The mangrove seedlings used for the reforestation drive were propagated at the mangrove nursery of CapSU Dayao.

Allanic said that all these steps to continued mangrove reforestation of the Talon shoreline are sought to help create or restore the fish’s natural habitat in the area, which could later help establish it as an eco-tourism site.

For her part, Dr. Lucy Beluso, CapSU Dayao campus administrator, said this and other similar initiatives virtually form part of the campus’s flagship advocacy to reach out to the fishing communities to help improve the livelihood of its constituents.

A participant takes the first step in reforesting the mangrove area in barangay Talon.

German org awards SWM4LGUs training modules to CPU

By Hope Patricio

Representative

Regional Applied Communications Group

Central Philippine University

The Central Philippine University (CPU) led by President Dr. Teodoro Robles officially received the Training Modules for the Solid Waste Management for Local Government Units (SWM4LGUs) from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)-AHT Group AG headed by its Team Leader Dr. Johannes Paul on June 23, 2011 at the Appropriate Technology Center of the College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES) in Jaro, Iloilo City.

A highlight of GIZ-CPU cooperation in jointly pioneering a university curriculum in resource management, the handover of said materials was witnessed by Engr. Marivic Ricaña, deputy team leader of GIZ-AHT’s SWM4LGUs Project; Engr. Voltaire Acosta, National Solid Waste Management adviser of GIZ-AHT; Engr. Klaus Hanuschke, GIZ consultant for CPU SWM project; Dr. Reynaldo Dusaran, dean of CARES; Engr. Aries Roda Romallosa, agricultural engineering coordinator of CARES; and Prof. Hope Patricio, research Coordinator of CARES.

The CPU officials received 17 training modules which will be used as lecture materials for the diploma program on resource management major in solid waste management under CARES. Said program would be offered to solid waste management (SWM) practitioners to enhance their expertise and to help produce new professionals in the SWM sector.

A project of GIZ's AHT GROUP AG, a privately owned independent consulting firm that offers management and engineering services in water, agriculture, environment, governance and waste, SWM4LGUs can be found in many areas across the country including Iloilo City, Roxas City and Buenavista in Guimaras in Western Visayas.

CPU President Teodoro Robles (third from left)

receives the materials from Dr. Johannes Paul

of GIZ-AHT (second from left),

as witnessed by the officials of the two institutions.