Automatic Weather Stations Installed in Region XI

Six Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) were successfully installed in Region XI by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PAGASA). the six weather stations were strategically located at the Provincial Nursery of Baganga, Davao Oriental; Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur; PAGASA office, Sasa, Davoa City; City Hall, Island Garden City of Samal; Provincial Capitol of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province; and at the Davao Oriental State college o Science and Technology in Mati, Davao Oriental. The AWS are stand-alone devices that measure weather-related factors and transmit data from remote areas to the PAGASA Head Office on real-time basis.

"These AWS stations installed in the region play critical role in mitigating hazards not only in the region but all throughout the country. This equipment will transmit weather data from the remote sites to PAGASA Head Office for further analysis and weather forecasting," says DOST XI Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales. 

Aside from those installed by DOST-PAGASA, there were four units installed in Region XI under the collocation project with SMART Communications Inc. The collocation project of DOST-PAGASA with SMART aims to improve the weather monitoring, forecasts, warnings and strengthen the disaster preparedness and mitigation efforts of the Philippines. 

If you need further information please do not hesitate and contact Mr. Eric c. Colmenares thru telephone no. (082) 221-5428.

Davao first to Receive Fishery Patrol Boats

Among the regions in Mindanao, the Davao Region is the first to receive their share of patrol boats given by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic (BFAR) to municipal governments.

BFAR Regional Director Fatma Idris gladly notes that Region XI is one of the five regions nationwide, and the only one in Mindanao given such facility to strengthen community-based coastal resources management.

Region XI gets six of such patrol boats which cost 1.2 million PHP each. These are given to the municipalities of Tarragona and Lupon in Davao Oriental, Maco and Pantukan in Compostela Valley, Tagum City in Davao del Norte, and in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Each patrol boat has -not only - a boat cradle through which it can be tugged inland and be kept in a safehouse. It is also equipped with global positioning system, telescope, compass, life jackets, enabling Bantay-Dagat volunteers to go after illegal marine resource poachers.

 

Science Information Officers Trained on Basic Communication Research

Information Officers of the Department of Science and Technology from different regional offices gathered in Davao City for a 3-day Basic Communication Research Workshop for the DOST Regional Information and Promotions Managers held at Crown Regency Residences on February 28 to March 1, 2012. The training workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office XI, Science and Technology Information Insitute and Technlogy Application and promotion Institute.

The theories and basic concepts of communication research were presented by Ms. Ruby R. Cristobal of the S&T Manpower education Research and Promotion division of DOST's Science and Education Institute. One of the major outputs of the seminar workshop was a draft proposal o participants on how to improve the visibility of the department. The proposals will be incorporated in the Strategic Communication Plan of DOST Regional Office.

Dr. Anthony C. Sales, DOST Regional Director, presented the Strategic Communication Plan of the DOST Regional Offices as well as the DOST Corporate Identity Manual. The Strategic Communication Plan will guide and provide a framework to all DOST Regional Offices in creating a culture of science and advancing the S&T agenda for national development.

German Consul Klaus Muller Visits DOST Regional Office XI

First Secretary and Consul Mr. Klaus Muller  from the German Embassy in Manila visited again Davao City during the  annual  German Consulars Day, held again in the University of Southeastern Philippines.

Consul Klaus Muller (Photo above extreme left) followed also an invitation of DOST (Department of Science and Technology) Regional Office XI Director Dr. Sales (second from right) together with Benjamin V.D. Estrelladao, Jr., Metrology and Metals Testing Lab-in-Charge and this writer.

"Certificate of Appreciation" (in this photo together with Ms. Elsie Mae A. Solidum, Assistant Regional Director Technical Services Division).

Energy Savings - A Dream?

Since being connected with the DOST Regional Office XI as consultant, one project really caught my attention: the DREAM Team services. 

People indeed get very much excited about their saving accounts earning interests. But, the Department of Science and Technology has seen a better idea to invest into something that earns three or five times that of bank interests. You know how?

An "energy audit" is a good first step toward realizing those money savings by making your place more energy efficient, as one could learn from the dost XI Public Service Announcement. Many industrial establishments nowadays are becoming more and more conscious of their energy usage due to increased energy costs. In response to these needs, the Davao Region Energy Audit and Management (DREAM) Team can help the industries in the region in setting energy conservation goals, identify areas where energy wastes can occur or recommend energy saving opportunities - just to mention two among many others.

An audit can show how to save electricity. Or, how about the air condition system or the many costly gaps around doors and windows?

By the way, the DREAM Team is a multi-agency group with members from the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the University of Southeastern Philippines (where I am also teaching!), the University of Mindanao and the DOST Regional Office XI.

I am pretty sure, that a big number of companies will be interested to avail the DREAM Team services. Engineer Benjamin V.D. Estrelladao, the DREAM Team Focal Person, is looking forward to your calls (Davao 082 - 221 5428): from companies, and, of course, also from private house holds.

The DOST XI Energy Audit Team is now ready to serve the region. Happy savings!

DOST brought STARBOOKS to Davao City

A humble contribution of the Department of Science and Technology to the world of education was introduced by its Davao Regional Office on November 17, 2011 at NCCC Mall, Davao City called STARBOOKS.

STARBOOKS or the S&T Academic and Research=Based Openly-Operated Kiosk Station is a new academic resource for students and researchers. STARBOOKS contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio). STARBOOKS aims to create interest of students to enroll in the field of Science and Technology; encourage great and curious minds to develop new ideas, such as inventions and innovations; and inspire one's capacity for entrepreneurship and research.

DOST XI Regional Director, Dr. Anthony Sales, said that the STARBOOKS will support the students and teachers alike while undertaking research. Dr. Sales added that STARBOOKS complements the scholarship program of the DOST as it enhances the science capabilities of students from all levels in the region.

Likewise, STARBOOKS is helpful to our entrepreneuring kababayans in the countryside as it provides technology videos ranging from food processing to laundry soap making and other livlehood materials.

DOST is looking forward to the availment of the STARBOOKS by Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Government Organizations, Educational Institutions and Private Institutions to make Science and Technology Information accessible to every Filipino. In fact, Councilor Jose Louie Villafuerte representing Mayor Sara Duterte during the RICE 2011, is optimistic of getting one for the City of Davao.

DOST XI welcomes stakeholders who are interesting in putting up a STARBOOKS in their area. All that is required are computer, pod, space measuring 3m x 4m (with specifications for physical set up of the kiosk), mandatory training, and a focal person. 

For more information please contact Mr. Eric C. Colmenares at telephone 082 - 22154 28.

The DOST Regional Office XI and Its Director Anthony Sales

Since August 2011 I am also working as DOST consultant here in Bajada, Davao City. I learned that DOST Region XI Director Dr. Anthony Sales is really an active director with an outstanding staff. Dr. Sales, before working on the private sector (food business, tuna cans, frozen coconut milk) became DOST XI director in 2009.

The Mandate/Mission is very clear: Provide direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that results are geared and utilized in area of maximum economic and social benefits for the people and being in service for the people in this region.

By 2020, the Philippines shall have developed a wide range of globally competitive products and services of high  technology content.

I learned from Director Sales, that the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) is the department's umbrella program  which has been strongly implemented in the region since 2002. SETUP has been assisting MSME's (Medium and Small Enterprises) through technical assistance/consultancy, infusion of new technologies, provision  of funds for technology acquisition, manpower training, packaging and labeling designs as well as product testing.

DOST Services are there to contribute to the socio-economic development of Mindanao. DOST XI offers a wide range of innovative services that include technology upgrading, laboratory analysis, testing and calibration, shelf-life testing of food samples, advisory services, technology trainings, and scholarships programs. Furthermore, the DOST-RSTL (Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory) - Davao is also an accredited water testing laboratory by the Bureau of Health Facilities and Services of the Department of Health as well as one of the recognized laboratories for fish and fishery products by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Region XI.

One of several future ideas is the national project "Own technology and solar".

Dr. Anthony Sales, who likes reading novels and detective stories and enjoys relaxing at the beach or on his own farm with goats, pigs, chickens and ducks somewhere in Marilog voiced out this: We will continue to value honesty in public service, because our mission IS honesty and NOT corruption.