SNHS triumphs ALS launching

by:QueencyLeones

Road to Cambodia! SIP qualifies as PH representatives

By: Sheen Ryan Baluran

After bagging an achievement in the Regional Invention Contest an conducted by Sheen Ryan Baluran and Gwyneth Abregana, have Innovation Forum, under the guidance of their research advisor of Technology of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in December 20 Although they were unable to attend due to passport issues their qualif as representatives remained a pride for their school, community, and co

The ASEAN-India S&T development sponsored the forum funded and coordinated by Cambodia's Ministry of Industry Science Technology and Innovation, consisting of a seminar on Grassroots Innovation, panel discussions, and Grassroots Innovation and Student Innovation Competitions The DOST Philippines sent winners from the 2021 Regional Invention Contest and Exhibition (RICE) to compete in the events above

Helen Grace Bandalan, Research Adviser of the SIP team, expressed their disappointment in missing out on such a valuable opportunity and their gratitude for being invited According to her the invitations were sent just a week before the event, which left them unprepared They had to rush to acquire personal documents clearances and contest essentials and undergo training in a week Despite their efforts, their passports arrived late, and they could not attend the event They vowed to continue striving towards achieving such opportunities and to be better prepared in the future

Being invited to the 3rd ASEAN-India Grassroots Innovation Forum as one of the Philippine representatives to introduce our experimental research was a milestone to be remembered Unfortunately, we were unable to attend The invitations were sent to us a week before the event and we did not have our passports yet; we were unprepared We processed everything in a rush for a week, from acquiring personal documents clearances contest essentials and training but our passports still arrived late," said Bandalan eads to the success of our efforts to provide them the quality education they deserve, said Dagong Dagong highlighted the importance of providing an alternative earning system for students forced to drop out due to financial constrants work and other responsbiltes He emphasized that by offering a free ALS, they aim to reduce the number of dropouts and mprove the overall education system The ALS offers a second chance for students to complete ther education and achieve their goals making education more accessible and incusive for all learners

One of the biggest challenges in the education system is the high number of dropouts Unfortunately, many students in our area are forced to drop out due to financial constraints, work, and responsibilities By offering a free alternative learning system, we hope to give these students a second chance to complete their education and achieve their goals This program will help reduce the number of dropouts and improve the overall education system

-Dagong

The aunch of SNHSs Alternative Learning System (ALS) program s a sgnifcant milestone toward providing accessible and quaity education to all ALS coordinator, Giad Dagong emphasized the importance of bridging the education gap and providing opportunities for students regardless of ther background or financal situaton By offering the program for free, SNHS hopes to postively mpact the education sector and improve the lves of students in the community "The ALS program s designed to provide access to quality education Everyone deserves access to a highquality education, regardless of their background or financial situation By offering this program for free we hope to help bridge the education gap and provde opportunities for students who might not otherwise have them The launch of SNHS's frst ALS program is a significant step forward in our mission to improve educaton in our community, added Dagong

According to Giad Dagong an ALS coordnator SNHS has established a support system to ensure the success of ts Aternative Learning System (ALS) program The system ncludes quaified and experienced teachers who use ALS modules and the provision of textbooks workbooks and other resources The school also prioritizes montoring and evaluation to track student progress and provide feedback for improvement This comprehensive approach highlights SNHSs commtment to providing quality education to al earners "SNHS has put in place a support system that ensures the success of the ALS program This incudes qualified and experienced teachers who are trained to faclitate learning through the ALS modules The schoo also provides a range of resources such as textbooks workbooks and other

-Bandalan

Although it was a loss not being able to present their research at the event Bandalan expressed gratitude towards the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for not letting their efforts go to waste They were given a new opportunity to introduce their project at another event and participate in a competition Although the event differed Bandalan expressed that it still provided the same level of competency as the original forum They were grateful for the chance to showcase their research

"It was indeed a loss However the Department of Science and Technology should have used our efforts wisely Instead of presenting our research at the event, they allowed us to introduce our project at the RICE 2023 and participate in the competit on We are grateful for this initiative; it pays off our endeavors It will somehow make our preparations be utilized for something else Although it is a different event, but still with the same competency and goal, added Bandalan

The student researchers expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to showcase their dedication to environmental care on an international platform They shared that they had prepared thoroughly for the competition and felt proud to be recognized for their efforts Although the team could not attend the event due to passport issues, they remain committed to introducing their project to any opportunity possible They see their qualification for the international competition as a testament to their hard work and dedication regardless of not being at the event We were thrilled by the invitation saying that we qualified for the event; it was a great leap for our school's achievement We prepared thoroughly for this competition as it is a great opportunity to showcase our dedication towards environmental care Despite being unable to go, we will not stop introducing this project to any opportunities possible Being internationally qualified is a testament that we made this happen, regardless of not being at the event, said the researchers

The research entitled Bio-Briquette of Durian (Durio zibethinus) and Corn (Zea mays) Cob as a Source of Thermal Energy ranked 1st in the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE) in Davao Region under the Sibol Award 2021 In addition the research entitled "Properties of Banana (Musa sapientum) Based Bioplastic as Affected by the Different Levels of Plasticizer, ranked 3rd in the same category validating both entries on the 3rd ASEAN-India Grassroots Innovation Forum

RIC to promote economic development, aims to reduce unemployment

By QuencyLeones

Despite the challenges they are facing, the President of the Rural Improvement Club federation cited that their main goal is to promote economic development during an interview in March 2023 emphasizing this as the key to reducing unemployment in San Isidro Sylvia Bibat Barsicula, RIC Federation President in San Isidro said that they provide various products such as dishwashing rice meat processing food, and many more wherein these businesses provide employment opportunities for their members and contribute to the local economy

RIC's main aim is to promote economic development to reduce unemployment in our community. We do this by providing various businesses such as dishwashing, rice, meat, processing food, candles, lemon juice, and tablea, which is the business of RIC here in Sawata.

Barsicula said that producing capacity expansion to increase sales not just in their local community but also nationally and to sell new products is the

”Our plans for the future include expanding our production capacity and increasing our sales locally and nationally We also want to explore new product lines and diversify our business,” added Barsicula

Barsicula shared that they are working hard to differentiate themselves and make sure that their product stands out in the market to cope with all their challenges

One of the main challenges we ve faced is competition from other tablea producers We've had to work hard to differentiate ourselves and to make sure that our product stands out in the market ” stated Barsicula

Furthermore, Barsicula highlighted that determination and hard work are vital for their growing business; they have invested in processing facilities and made improvements for the tablea to meet the quality standard

”We've been able to grow our business through hard work and determination We've invested in our processing facility and have made improvements to ensure that our tablea meets the highest standards of quality ” Barsicula said

According to Barsicula, as of last year, during the pandemic, the RIC had no income and it took a long time for them to earn one

”The RIC does not receive any salary provisions but we are striving to have our team earn money through various agencies because our people deserve it,” ended Barsicula

However, The Rural Improvement Club started in 2016 in San Isidro and was registered with Dole in 2016; this club helps the citizens of San Isidro earn an income