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DOST grants PhP2M to a Polyethylene Pipes Manufacturing Company in Davao City
- Written by Just Magallanes
On June 11, 2015, Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Undersecretary for Regional Operations, Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, alongside DOST XI Asst. Regional Director, Ms. Elsie Mae A. Solidum, visited one of Davao City’s leading industrial firms, Jhaymarts Industries, Inc. (JII) which was granted a PhP2M financial assistance under the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP). The Davao-based company, JII is known as the pioneer manufacturer of polyethylene (PE) pipes in Mindanao.
Read more: DOST grants PhP2M to a Polyethylene Pipes Manufacturing Company in Davao City
New Products Developed from Davao’s Food Innovation Center
- Written by Maria Victoria I. Dado
DOST Undersecretary, Dr. Carol M. Yorobe (center) together with the FPIC-PWC Focal Person Ms. Maria Christina Ramos (8th from left), PWC Vice President Dr. Ida Y. Patron (6th from right) and DOST XI ARD Elsie Mae A. Solidum (5th from right) pose with the innovators from UPMindanao, DNSC, DOSCST, and PWC during her visit to the Center on June 11, 2015.
Established through the High Impact Technology Solutions (HITS) Program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC) – Davao has transformed raw materials to finished products since it was launched in 2014.
Read more: New Products Developed from Davao’s Food Innovation Center
DOST Undersecretary Yorobe visits CEST beneficiaries in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental
- Written by Maria Victoria I. Dado
Dr. Carol M. Yorobe, the Undersecretary for Regional Operations of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) visited on June 10, 2015 Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental to monitor the implementation of the project “Community Empowerment through Science and Technology” (CEST). Don Marcelino Mayor John H. Johnson warmly welcomed the Undersecretary together with the regional and provincial staff of DOST XI. Mayor Johnson expressed his gratitude for the S&T interventions given to his constituents.
Read more: DOST Undersecretary Yorobe visits CEST beneficiaries in Don Marcelino, Davao Occidental
DOST joins the National Peace Caravan
- Written by Maria Victoria I. Dado
In collaboration with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Offices XI and XIII joined the 2-day National Peace Caravan at Loreto, Agusan del Sur held May 28-29, 2015.
Indigenous People of Barangays Manawe and Kauswagan received services such as immunization of children, HIV testing, oral health services, maternal hygiene kit, scholarships, complementary foods, Ovicidal Larvicidal (OL) Traps, legal consultation, hair cutting, school supplies from the various government offices during the caravan.
NAST PHL Discusses Screening of Genetic Defects in Livestock
- Written by Aislynn Fabiola G. Manuel
The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), through the Agricultural Sciences Division (ASD) and in partnership with the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC), held the Roundtable Discussion on Screening of Genetic Defects in Domestic Livestock Industry on May 14, 2015 at Acacia Hotel Manila.
The RTD focused on animal breeding and development, particularly genetic defects screening of breeder stocks in commercial farms.
Dr. Michelle M. Balbin, science research specialist II of the PCC, discussed common genetic defects in domestic animals. Dr. Balbin gave a background on the local livestock production and genetic improvement program. She discussed the impacts of animals with genetic defects to the industry, which include lower production, physical deformities, and deadly diseases.
According to Dr. Balbin, not all animals show signs of genetic defects. Some animals are carriers that will pass on the defect to the next generation. Dr. Balbin reiterated the importance of testing the herd for the presence of genetic defects to avoid economic losses from genetic defects.
She enumerated common defects in domestic animals, with focus on cattle and water buffalo.. She also discussed genetic defects on swine, sheep, goat, and horse.
Dr. Ming-Che Wu, division chief of Breeding and Genetics, Taiwan Livestock Research Institute, talked about screening for genetic defects in domestic animals. He explained the ACTION scheme: Aware status, Core facility, Team ready, In-time service, Outreach system, and Niche management.
According to Dr. Wu, the action scheme was established for the genetic improvement of elite breeding stocks in private farms of Taiwan using DNA-based screening for genetic defects.
The aware status is for understanding the tools and information they used and further improving them; core facility is about having “key tools” in building data banks; team-ready means having a public-private partnership for a better breeding program; in-time service is for having immediate screening results when needed; outreach system is for assistance of new members; and lastly, niche management evaluates the economic value and outcome of each allelic gene.
Dr. Marcos B. Valdez Jr., OYS 2012 and associate professor, Science Cluster, University of the Philippines Cebu, gave the synthesis of the discussions. Dr. Valdez stated the importance of considering the upcoming ASEAN integration this 2015 in creating a policy on screening for genetic defects in important livestock animals. The ASEAN integration will open markets for trade in the ASEAN countries. According to him, we need to identify measures to ensure that livestock animals that will enter the Philippine market are free from genetic defects.
Acd. Libertado C. Cruz, member of the ASD, served as the focal person and the moderator of the RTD. (Aislynn Fabiola G. Manuel)
