The eMagazine of Philippine Information Agency 10
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2016
Science, technology efforts to help improve lives, says DOST
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) region 10 is in the frontline in terms of coming up with key efforts to provide more projects through science and technology to help most especially vulnerable communities in the region.
During the ‘Talakayan sa PIA’ held in Cagayan de Oro on 21 July 2016, various projects and initiatives were discussed in line with the celebration of National Science and Technology Week. This included the government’s efforts in terms of advancement of technology especially on weather instruments, innovation for health sector and research and development for drug discovery. One of the projects that the DOST launched this year is DIWATA microsatellite which was launched to space last April 2016. Diwata-1 also known as PHL-Microsat-1 is a Philippine microsatellite launched to the International Space Station (ISS) in March 23, 2016 and was deployed into orbit from the ISS in April 27, 2016. It is the first Philippine microsatellite and the first satellite built and designed by Filipinos. According to DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban, the microsatellite can be used for
improved weather detection and forecasts, disaster risk management, and detecting agricultural growth patterns, among others. “It is now orbiting in space. It will be orbiting for 10 to 11 months. It was developed by team of Filipino scientists and engineers. There were nine of them and they worked in Japan, together with two universities in Japan and it was launched through the help of NASA,” Romela N. Ratilla, DOST chief science research specialist and assistant regional director said. “Because of the high resolution pictures it can get, it can locate the best beaches and also the aquatic resources. It can also look at the underwater environment,” she added. On the other hand, during the Talakayan, DOST also gave a demonstration on the use of Rx Box, a device with built-in medical sensors capable of storing data in an electronic medical record, transmitting health information via the Internet upon the
consent of the patient, and facilitating tele-consultations. Ratilla said the Rx Box can be used as a blood pressure monitor, pulse or meter, electrocardiogram (ECG), fetal heart monitor, maternal tocometer, and temperature sensor. She added that the Rx Box is capable of storing and transmitting the patient’s data to allow health workers in remote communities to consult with medical specialists in urban areas. Meanwhile, DOST Regional Director Alfonso Alamban said they also want invest on making the Philippines at par with other countries’ performance in Science and Technology. Right now, he said that budget for research and development has increased. Alamban said he hopes it will be higher in the coming years to really
be able to compete internationally. Furthermore, DOST is known for scholarships that they give to students who wants to enrol in any Science and Math related course. This year, they have more than 4000 scholars in the country. Support is also given to students participating in international competitions in the field of Science and Math. The celebration of National Science and Technology Week include activities such forum on Great Business Opportunities, Student’s Day Quiz Bowl, Innovation/Exhibition Day, Forum on Solar Power and Technology, DOST Food Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) for Commercialization, Chamber presentation and closing and awarding ceremony. (Hazel Mae Pacturan/JMOR/PIA10)
DSWD-10 bares 2015 poor households list CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development-10 (DSWD) identified 485,539 poor households among the 870,198 assessed during the conduct of the second round assessment of the National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction (NHTS-PR) or Listahanan in 2015. During the launching of the 2015 Listahanan Database of Poor Families in Region 10 on July 22, DSWD Assistant Secretary Noel Macalalad
shared that there are 5.2 million poor households from the 10.9 million assessed nationwide and stressed that obtaining these numbers is very
essential in determining significant programs and services that will be offered not only by the DSWD but also the local government units (LGUs), organizations and other data users. Furthermore, Zosimo Butil, DSWD-10 Policy and Plans Division chief said that the Listahanan is used in selecting beneficiaries of social protection programs and services. “The 2015 database can also provide various information that make up the socio-economic profile of poor households, families and individuals such as educational attainment and occupation of each of the household members, among others,” said Butil. From the total number of identified poor households, DSWD10 recorded 87,824 households from the Indigenous People’s (IP) group, 60,539 individuals from the poor working population who have no formal education and 25,949 persons with disabilities (PWDs).
About 173,262 or 36 percent of the poor households do not have access to electricity, 160,519 do not have access to a safe water source and 213,182 do not have sanitary toilet facility. More than half of the identified poor households do not have any reported occupation while 13 percent or 179,028 individuals are engaged in the agricultural sector. Macalalad stressed that these numbers serve as a challenge to everybody especially the planning officers in formulating programs and services that will improve the lives of the people. He also said that there is a great need for “malakas na pagtutulungan at pagsasama-sama para marami tayong maiahon sa kahirapan (strong support and collaboration to uplift more people from poverty).”(RTP/ PIA10)
Army thwarts terror attacks, wounds NPA rebels in Bukidnon clash SAN FERNANDO, Bukidnon – Soldiers of the 41st Division Reconnaissance Company under the operational control of 8th Infantry Battalion, 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army thwarted on Sunday worse terroristic activities of the New People’s Army (NPA) bandits.
In a spot report, July 24, at around 10:40 a.m, in a dense area of Sitio Salumayag, Brgy. Halapitan, San Fernando, Bukidnon, the government troops encountered more or less 20 armed men believed to be NPA bandits coming from SPP4, Guerilla Front 6 of the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee. The stern fire-fight lasted for about 30 minutes until the communist rebels fled and scampered to different directions bringing along with them their wounded comrades showing globs of blood splotched along their escape routes. However, as the soldiers conducted pursuit operations, the NPAs planted some Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) along the civilians’ route on the road. The IED explosions wounded two soldiers who were immediately applied first aid before turning them over to the nearest medical institution for further treatment. The 8th Infantry Battalion (8IB) has intensified its combat operations to locate rebels in order to prevent them from exploiting further violence and atrocities that may impede peace and development in communities. In a statement, 8IB Commanding Officer Lt Col Lennon G Babilonia condemned the NPAs for hampering development in the remote areas by continually collecting revolutionary taxes from the populace as reported by residents. He said he was also disappointed
that these rebels continue to obstruct peace at any expense even if it is detrimental to civilians. “I am saddened by the fact that these NPA bandits plant IEDs to where civilians pass. This is too dangerous because everyone can be a victim. They must realize that violence is not the answer for the ideology they are fighting for, instead this will pileup numerous crimes they committed against the community,” he said. Meanwhile, he commended the wounded soldiers during the clash. “I am so proud of our soldiers because they risked lives in order to attain peace and development in our country. These heroic acts are very commendable. As the commanding officer of your Dependable Battalion, I promise to the people of Bukidnon that we will always do our best to serve you even at our own risk,” Babilonia said. (Marisol C. Lacorte, 8IB (INF) PA/RLRB, PIA10-Bukidnon)