UPLB has 6 newly appointed scientists



Six university researchers from UPLB were newly appointed to Scientist positions under the country’s Scientific Career System (SCS).

SCS is a joint undertaking of the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Science and Technology through the National Academy of Science and Technology. It develops highly qualified and productive scientific personnel by recognizing and granting them the Scientist title along with its incentives and rewards.

Newly appointed as Scientist I are Dr. Lucille Elna P. de Guzman of the Institute of Crop Science; Dr. Evelyn F. Delfin, Maria Luisa D. Guevarra, and Dr. Lourdes D. Taylo of the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB); and Dr. Leila D. Landicho of the Agricultural Systems Institute, all from the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS).

Dr. Marilyn O. Quimado of the Department of Forest Biological Sciences from the College of Forestry and Natural Resources was also appointed as Scientist I.

Along with these new appointees, 11 UPLB researchers retained their previous appointments. Continuing as Scientist I are Dr. Edwin P. Alcantara, Dr. Eufrocinio DC. Marfori, and Dr. Rosario G. Monsalud of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) and Sancho G. Bon, Dr. Olivia P. Damasco, and Dr. Fe M. Dela Cueva of CAFS.

Dr. Merdelyn C. Lit, Dr. Mario V. Navasero, and Dr. Florencia B. Pulhin of CAFS retained their appointments as Scientist II.

Meanwhile, Dr. Nelly S. Aggangan of BIOTECH and Dr. Marcela M. Navasero of CAFS were promoted from Scientist I to Scientist II. (Kyle Ramiel Dalangin)

Source: https://uplb.edu.ph/all-news/uplb-has-6-newly-appointed-scientists/

UPV alumnus Jesry Palmares is DAR undersecretary



Jesry T. Palmares, an alumnus of UP Visayas, is the newly appointed Undersecretary of the Department Agrarian Reform for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects.

Prior to his national appointment, he was the elected Vice Mayor of Passi City in the recently concluded May 9 elections. He has also served as Passi City Mayor for several terms.

Part of the responsibilities of his new office are grants and assistance from countries such Japan, Korea, Italy, England, and the World Bank directed towards agrarian reform areas. Programs and projects that are agriculture-related including bridges, water systems, and storage facilities that will augment the lives of the farmers in the countryside will be part of his responsibilities.

Palmares took his oath as undersecretary on July 8, 2022. He is also currently provincial chairman of the Lakas-CMD in Iloilo.

Palmares took his Bachelor of Arts in Community Development at the University of the Philippines Visayas and graduated in 1994.

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/upv-alumnus-jesry-palmares-is-dar-undersecretary

Martin Genodepa’s sculpture installation receives the Bagong Biswal 2022 grant



Prof. Martin Genodepa, Director of the Office of Initiatives for Culture and the Arts, is one of the grantees of the Bagong Biswal 2022 awarded by the National Commission on Culture and the Arts – National Committee on Visual Arts, for his sculpture installation of welded steel called Memorial Park: Missing the Crowd.

Memorial Park: Missing the Crowd, a doodle-like representation of a small mass or gathering, with figures closely huddled or in dynamic interaction, was first exhibited at the quadrangle of the UPV Main Building from February 15 through April 9, 2021. It was reinstalled in Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park Square in front of the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Art on July 15 to August 31, 2021.

The public art project was made possible by a UPV Creative Work Grant from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension.

The video of the award winning art project may be viewed at the NCCA NCVA Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bagongbiswal2022/videos/569746278047141

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/martin-genodepa-s-sculpture-installation-receives-the-bagong-biswal-2022-grant

DOST@64 confers Science for the People awards to partners

by Lyn Resurreccion

BusinessMirror Editor in Chief Lourdes M. Fernandez receives the Science for the People (SFTP) Outstanding Media Partner (Institution category) award from Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, Undersecretary Rene Solidum and National Scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier.

Parangal at pasasalamat [recognition and thanksgiving]” with “Science for the People [SFTP] Awards” was the highlight of the 64th anniversary celebration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as it acknowledged its partners in delivering science, technology and innovation (STI) to the people.

At the same time, the event served as the appreciation night of Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña for DOST’s partners during his helm as he winds up his term at the department that ends on June 30.

BusinessMirror Science Editor Lyn B. Resurreccion receives the SFTP Outstanding Media Partner (Individual category) award.

The DOST gave SFTP Awards to its outstanding partners from different sectors to express its gratitude in advancing STI.

The Business Mirror was among the recipients of two SFTP Awards for the Media. The Institution category was received by its Editor in Chief Lourdes M. Fernandez, while the Individual category was given to Science Editor Lyn B. Resurreccion.

The Vaccine Expert Panel, that was led by Dr. Nina Gloriani, was among the top SFTP awardees for its invaluable contribution in the review of vaccines for Covid-19 and development of criteria for the procurement of vaccines for emergency use in the country.

National Scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier delivers his keynote address.

Also awarded were the DOST outstanding partners from the higher education institutions, industry, local government units, science and technology foundations, national government agencies, bilateral diplomatic partners, policy-makers, nongovernment organizations.

SFTP Awards were likewise bestowed to the S&T sector in research and development projects, technology commercialization, start-ups, enterprise productivity, community development, DOST governance innovations.

Gender and Development Awards were also given.

At the same time, former DOST assistant secretary Dr. Lydia Tansinsin, launched her book on the history of the DOST titled, “An Institutional Journey: From the NSDB to the DOST, 1958-1998.”

Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña gives his thanksgiving message.

Best in performance; practice meritocracy

In his keynote address, National Scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier said, being a former secretary of DOST, he takes pride in the department’s having been consistently rated “among the best in terms of quantity, quality and timeliness in its performance.”

At the same time, he said DOST has always have the impression of “meritocracy bereft of corruption” among all agencies in government.

Javier highlighted three remarkable achievements of the DOST under the helm of de la Peña.

One is the mitigation of the loss of lives and properties from the calamities due to the projects on early warning provided by Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and Project Noah, through the installation of doppler radar, radar equipment and stations, and earthquake warning systems.

Dr. Lydia Tansinsin, former assistant secretary of DOST, shares the history of the DOST during the launching of her book, “An Institutional Journey: From the NSDB to the DOST, 1958-1998,” was launched during the event.

He also acknowledged the full regionalization of the R&D and STI activities of DOST, especially through the Science for Change Program.

He said historically the DOST’s S&T efforts were confined in Metro Manila. But the last three administrations of DOST, including that of de la Peña, went all out to make S&T “felt all over the country.”

He noted the Niche Centers in the Regions Program (Nicer) has 49 universities in 17 regions which implement R&D.

He added that the success of DOST in commercialization of R&D in the countryside is being carried out by Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (Cradle) has 39 universities in the regions that collaborate with 87 companies.

Dr. Nina Gloriani (fourth from left) and the Vaccine Experts Team which she heads receive the SFTP Award from Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, Undersecretary Rowena Christina Guevara and National Scientist Dr. Emil Q. Javier.

“Nicer and Cradle epitomize the [performance of the] administration of de la Pena,” he said.

Javier also pointed out the jump of the country’s Global Innovation Index from 83 in 2015 to 51 in 2021 out of 132 countries.

“It was a great achievement which we can attribute to the fine work of DOST and its agencies in partnership with other sectors,” he said.

Javier noted that with its achievements, he sees that the performance of DOST under de la Peña “will be treated kindly by history.”

“Your [DOST’s and partners’] competence, dedication, hard work and passion make what DOST is today,” he said.

Dr. Doralyn Dalisay (right) receives the Outstanding R&D Research Project for Basic Research award from Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.

‘Blessed for having worked with DOST, partners’

Delivering his thanksgiving message, de la Peña said he was having “mixed emotions” during the event as he was “happy and excited” seeing familiar faces—his former friends and colleagues at DOST and the partners from the different sectors of society, who have become the DOST’s allies in pursuing its mission.

He said he “was blessed for having worked with all of you,” and being with the DOST “for the most part of my life in government service,” which also made him “feel sad” because this would be his last year of celebrating the agency’s anniversary as its head.

Addressing the awardees, de la Peña said: “Tonight, we acknowledge your great contributions to DOST and to the country as a whole.”

“The plaques and the awards we have given represents not just mere recognition of your invaluable contributions, but along with it is my heartfelt gratitude for many wonderful memories of working with you,” he pointed out.

With the “many milestones” that the DOST had, the challenges and the countless success stories, he said he can “proudly say” that all their “painstaking efforts and sacrifices have paid off.”

“I have nothing but fond memories of all the people I’ve worked with,” he said.

Dr. Francis Aldrine Uy (right) receives the Outstanding Technology Commercialization Award for Usher from Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara.

Valuable resources: The people

De la Peña acknowledged that the DOST cannot handle the enormous tasks without the help of its most valuable resources—the people.

“We relied most on the people’s dedication and commitment in doing their work in pursuit of excellence in public service,” he pointed out.

He said the DOST believes that “STI is not just about theories and scholarly publications, nor should it be confined within the walls of laboratories.”

“Rather, we aimed to bring the results of our research and development into practical use to solve problems and in turn, help our people improve their quality of life,” he added.

True to its tagline of “Science for the People,” he said the DOST expanded its reach to benefit more Filipinos across the country, particularly those at the grassroots.

The DOST “made a difference” by using science to empower communities, including those in the far-flung areas by providing them the infrastructure, knowledge and technological interventions to improve their quality of living.

The Science chief pointed out that the department provided the communities with livelihood and technology-based solutions to address rural poverty and difficulties due to geographical isolation. Among them is the Talaandig Indigenous people in Lantapan, Bukidnon.

Veering away from his prepared speech, he said he wanted going around the country to visit the DOST projects because he is happy to hear the feedbacks from stakeholders themselves.

He shared the story of a university researcher, who opted to be an entrepreneur and became a DOST beneficiary.

“She said even if only one government agency is left, if that is the DOST, she would be happy with it,” the Science chief said.

He added that the DOST devoted its efforts to develop the people’s capability to prepare for the future through scholarships for deserving students to help uplift their social and economic conditions.

The DOST was also able to deliver its services to its stakeholders in partnership with local government units, nongovernment organizations, community development groups, academic institutions and national government agencies.

Talaandig chieftain Datu Victorino Saway and his wife, Liza Saway, from Lantapan, Bukidnon, receive the SFTP Outstanding award for Community Development from Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang.

Early pandemic action; international partners

At the height of the pandemic, the DOST was among the first government agencies which worked hard to find solutions against Covid-19.

It actively tried to find ways to gain access to vaccines, treatments and medical supplies through its international partners and foreign counterparts via bilateral and multilateral platforms.

He made special mention of the Vaccine Experts Panel, whose members extended their assistance by sharing their expertise in the vaccine evaluation and selection.

At the same time, the DOST is looking forward to its international partners for their technical expertise, including the country’s “Balik-Scientists” as the country is establishing its Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines.

Through its strong international linkages, the DOST was able to pursue several joint R&D undertakings that helped it “augment the needed expertise not available in the country and improve mobility among our scientists,” de la Peña noted.
Science for Change Program

Under the Science for Change Program, the DOST supported MSMEs, inventors, S&T-based companies, and start-ups through the provision of STI services from technology transfer, financial assistance via capital and equipment, technical assistance through training, and other relevant S&T interventions.

“By helping them, they were able to improve the quality of their products and services, enhance their productivity and learn good manufacturing practices to prepare them to be globally competitive and thereby contribute to the country’s economic growth,” he pointed out.

De la Peña likewise recognized the strong support from policy-makers from Congress who advanced STI by translating the DOST’s programs into laws.

He also gave “importance” to the media by “bringing STI to the people, building science culture among the youth and in delivering timely and accurate information” during national emergencies.

De la Peña did not fail to laud “the much needed support” given by the DOST workers’ respective families, “our loved ones who did their best to understand the way we tried to balance our time and attention in doing what we think is best.”
‘Very devoted, hard working DOST co-workers’

Again veering away from his written speech, he shared that when he asked his family if he will accept President Duterte’s asking him to be DOST chief, his wife replied in the negative, but his children agreed if he could still carry out its functions.

“I thought that if I won’t accept it, I might regret it later,” he said. “But six years have gone by very quickly.”

He lauded his co-workers at the DOST who “are very devoted to work and are hard working.”

“I won’t forget my team at the DOST,” he expressed.
Successes and legacy: Science for the People, by the People

With the DOST’s programs and initiatives on one hand, and all our partners working together, “we believe that our current success will positively impact the country,” he said.

“We will forever be grateful to all of you [partners] for your support and willingness to take part and join us in our efforts in bringing science in the service of our people,” de la Peña pointed out.

He added: “We are starting to see the fruits of our labor in the numerous successful stories of people who availed themselves of our programs and services, innovators that succeeded in their endeavors and made a name for themselves, the people who excel in their fields and gave pride to our country as DOST scholars.”

“All these together with you [DOST partners], I consider DOST’s successes and the legacy that I will pass on to my successor,” he added.

“My heart is full, seeing everyone celebrating this occasion. All of you [DOST co-workers and partners] are instrumental in realizing DOST’s objectives. With your help and utmost support, we are confident that we will attain bigger things for the country in the S&T field,” he said in his written speech.

“I say that indeed, it is Science for the People, by the People,” de la Peña pointed out.

Integrity and passion

DOST Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia, who headed the organizing committee for the event, said the DOST’s service and good relationship with stakeholders and partners is a reflection of their professionalism and expertise.

“We do and implement our programs with integrity and passion to serve the Filipinos. I commend everyone here for their contributions toward sustained commitment in the STI enculturation in both local and international platforms,” Buendia said.
Outstanding SFTP awardees

Academe:

1. Central Luzon State University: Through its collaborations with the DOST-PCAARRD, CLSU was able to cater to 6,828 clients, 44 of whom are start-up incubatees, who have already generated P24.3-million income and 141 jobs from October 2017- April 2022.

2. University of the Philippines: UP’s Philippine Genomics Center’s expansion was funded by the DOST in 2018 for the expansion to Mindanao and Visayas and the upgrading of the center’s R&D capacity through the establishment of the Protein, Proteomics and Metabolomics Facility.

3. De La Salle University: Its partnership with DOST has contributed to DLSU’s standing as the sole private higher education institution in the country to be listed in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and also led to the unprecedented 600-percent growth in its research output in the previous decade

Industry:

1. Ephrathah Farms Inc.: As an agri-tourism business in Iloilo, it is engaged in the production of high value fruits and vegetables, and operates as a tourist facility showcasing the different agricultural concerns.

2. Orthopaedic International Inc.: Since its inception, OII has grown into an ISO 13485-certified facility that designs, develops and manufactures orthopaedic products like the Axis Knee Replacement System.

3. Herbanext Laboratories Inc.: With funding support from the DOST’s Business Innovation through Science and Technology Program, the ARIL of Herbanext was founded in 2020, and became the first ever dedicated facility in the country for scaling up the production of standardized herbal extracts and its development into herbal drugs,
Local Government Units:

1. Cauayan City, Isabela: The city has been recognized as the First Smarter City in the Philippines (2015) and later took the lead in localizing the United Nations’ 17-Point Sustainable Development Goals. It was also recognized as the first city in the Philippines to be ISO Certified on ISO 37122 Certification for Sustainable Cities and Communities.

2. Davao de Oro provincial government: With their framework anchored to the Bayanihan 4Ps+, the DOST and Davao de Oro continue to promote and apply Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation at the grassroots level.

3. Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Its adoption of DOST-10’s technologies and interventions empowered the LGU to strengthen its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management response, waste management, livelihood creation, and production of high value products.

S&T Foundation:

1. Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology: For 38 years, the PFST continues to promote S&T to the public through its various educational programs. Its flagship program, the Philippine Science Centrum, Traveling exhibits, Teacher’s Training, interactive exhibit development and fabrication and science events have served over 20 million people nationwide.

2. Foundation for the Advancement of Clinical Epidemiology Inc.: FACE serves as the primary support arm of the Department of Clinical Epidemiology of the College of Medicine and the Institute of Clinical Epidemiology of the National Institutes of Health, both based at UP Manila.

3. DLSU Science Foundation Inc.: It assisted DLSU and other De La Salle Philippines’ member district schools through scholarships, professorial chairs, and pure and applied research, and have helped increase DLSU’s annual research publication to about 600 to 700 Scopus listed papers annually.

Media Partners (Institution)

1. BusinessMirror: BusinessMirror has been a partner of the DOST in providing the Filipino people the relevant STI news and information. True to this commitment, the newspaper has its Science Sunday section that is dedicated to stories about breakthroughs in the local science community. It won the Institutional Media Award for Print at the 2018 Bantog Awards.

2. Eagle Broadcasting Network: EBC has been a partner of the DOST in delivering STI news and information to the Filipino people. EBC is the home of NET25 and DZEC Radyo Agila. In 2018, DZEC Radyo Agila won the Institutional Media Award for Radio at the 2018 Bantog Awards.

3. Cable News Network Philippines: CNN Philippines has been among the leading media partners of DOST in disseminating up-to-date science information and news broadcasts. It is the home of Siyensikat, a 30-minute show by the DOST that connects Filipinos to science experts who provide science-based solutions and innovations to uplift their lives.

Media Partners (Individual):

1. Angelina (Lyn) B. Resurreccion: A multi-awarded science journalist since 1995 and as Science Editor of BusinessMirror, she has special interest in the DOST programs and projects on MSMEs, such as SETUP, FilipInnovation and Science for Change Program in order to inform the public about the benefits of STI, and on how the DOST has been providing the technologies and possible cures against Covid-19.

2. Hermelina C. Tenorio: An unrelenting S&T journalist since 1992, she has won several awards, including the Gawad Jose L. Guerrero DOST Media Awards, DOST Hall of Fame Awards and the Ulat Sipag Award.

3. Ma. Cristina C. Arayata: Covering the DOST since 2015 for the Philippine News Agency, she remains a reliable S&T media partner who constantly writes articles and pursues exclusive S&T stories that are of interest to the public, especially during the pandemic.

National Government Agencies:

1. Department of Agriculture, Region 6: To achieve its vision of a food-secured and resilient Philippines with empowered and prosperous farmers and fishers, it collaborates with agencies like the DOST to implement S&T programs and projects.

2. Department of Trade and Industry, Region 8: Some of its collaborations with the DOST are the Technology Business Incubator on Shared Service Facility for Food Processing and activities of the Villaconsuelo Tree Planters Association in Biliran.

3. Office of Civil Defense, Calabarzon: The OCD IV-A is an active partner in promoting and disseminating DOST’s programs, such as on the monitoring of critical government-owned buildings along the Valley Fault System; implementing the Safe, Swift, And Smart Passage Travel Management System; infrastructure audit; and information dissemination and promotion of interventions brought by natural hazards.

Bilateral Partner:

1. United Kingdom: Many achievements were made under the DOST partnership with UK, such as the Synthetic Aperture Radar and Automatic Identification System; the various initiatives under the Newton Agham Program; the Leaders in Innovation Fellowships; the 12 joint health research initiatives; four joint hydrometeorological hazards research; Weather and Climate Science Service Partnership; four Researcher/Institutional Links; and side events in co-hosting COP26.

2. Taiwan: The DOST-Taiwan partnership continuously promotes mutually beneficial collaborative activities in STI under the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation signed last March 13, 1997.

3. Japan: It has been a consistent bilateral partner of the DOST resulting in meaningful and fruitful collaborations with various Japanese scientific and academic institutions, notably the Japan Space Agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and many others.

Legislator for S&T:

1. Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino: The former senator, who was the chairman of the Senate Committee on S&T, strongly defended the increase of DOST budget and pushed for the passage of all DOST STI priority bills. This resulted in the enactment of the Republic Act (RA) 11035, Balik Scientist Act; RA 11312, or Strengthening the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and Other S&T Personnel; RA 11337, or Innovative Startup Act; RA 11363, or the Philippine Space Act.

2. Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado: As chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Science and Technology in the 17th and 18th Congress, he filed and pushed for the passage of almost all the DOST STI priority bills, including the Balik Scientist Act and the Philippine Space Act.

Nongovernment Organization:

1. Philippine Metrology Standards, Testing and Quality Inc.: It is association advocating for the establishment of a strong national quality infrastructure in the country to support the production of globally competitive products and services.

2. Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation Inc.: It is committed to promote and safeguard the business interest of its members and help raise the level of competitiveness through linkages and capacity building initiatives.

3. Davao City Hydrology for Environment, Life and Policy Philippines Network Inc.: As a multi-sectoral network, the role of Davao City HELP is to provide guidance through technical voices and science-based knowledge in water use and management.

R&D Projects:

1. Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources: Synergize Academe-Industry Research Undertaking to Improve Production through Banana Surveillance System—It provides a mobile application that allows early detection of diseases. This project develops a system that minimizes cost disease control.

2. Health: Feasibility Analysis of Syndrome Surveillance Using Spatio-temporal Epidemiological Modeler for LGU Epidemiology Surveillance Unit—FASSSTER is a cloud-based disease surveillance and scenario-based disease modeling tool that was developed and operationalized for use by the national and local government agencies during the Covid-19 pandemic.

3. Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology: Geospatial Information Management and Analysis Project for Hazards and Risk Assessment in the Philippines (GeoRiskPH)—Through a Cabinet Directive issued in July 2019, the GeoRiskPH Integrated System and the HazardHunterPH were approved to be the national platform for hazards and risk assessment.

4. Basic Research: Marine-sediment Derived Actinobacteria: New Vista for Natural Products Discovery in the Philippines

Technology Commercialization:

1. Juan Algal Paste: Algacon Aquafeeds Manufacturing—AAM is recognized as the first R&D Spin-Off company in Region 6. It was one of the pioneer incubatees of the DOST-PCAARRD-UP Visayas Fisheries Technology Business Incubation Project.

2. Field Implementation of a Locally Developed Diagnostic Kit for the Detection of Covid-19: Manila Health Tek Inc.—Dr. Raul Destura and his Manila HealthTek team that was supported by the DOST, developed the first Philippines-developed GenAmplify Covid-19 RT-PCR Detection Kit.

3. Technology and Market Validation of Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording System: Usher—Supported by DOST-PCIEERD, the movement from Mapua University R&D project to commercialization became vital to the realization of Dr. Francis Aldrin Uy’s purpose for Usher.

Startup of the Year:

1. Blitzkrieg Animal Diagnostic Center: It is an incubatee of the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubator of CLSU and a startup beneficiary of the PCAARRD Startup Grant Fund program.

2. Pivotal Peak Digital Health Solutions Inc.: It is one of the pioneer startups that was granted funding support under PCHRD’s Startup Research Grant Program. PPDHSI is the exclusive licensee of the UP-developed Community Health Information Tracking System, the longest running electronic medical record in the country.

3. Futuristic Aviation and Maritime Enterprise: It provides reliable, secure, easily deployable and affordable solutions to connect devices for real-time intelligent monitoring and management of resources in maritime, aviation, land transportation, enterprise applications.
Enterprise Productivity:

1. Theo and Philo Chocolate Factory Inc.: It introduced chocolate products with unique traditional Filipino flavors to the world.

2. C and H Cosmetics Industries: Producing all natural and innovation-based cosmetics and home-care products, it continuously paves the way toward becoming industry 4.0-ready and the one of the leading Filipino companies with international and local recognitions and accreditations.

3. Trophy Farm Supplies: The DOST’s S&T interventions to the poultry farm increased its capacity and productivity by at least 100 percent.

Community Development:

1. Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Legarda Inc. and Jesse V. Robredo Homeowners Association, 3Ws of Barangay 412, Zone 42, Manila: The group welcomed various S&T related interventions provided by DOST-NCR through the DOST’s CEST Program to improve the community’s livelihood and solid waste program, resulting in improved overall living conditions in the community.

2. Municipality of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte: With the introduction of available technologies useful for the communities from the DOST since 2014, Jabonga actively engages in the different technology and skills training and other related activities, empowering specific sectors, particularly the women/housewives and the youth.

3. Municipality of Lantapan, Bukidnon: The Indigenous Peoples from seven tribes of Bukidnon, with agriculture as their major source of livelihood, DOST 10, through PSTC Bukidnon, provided technologies to add more value to their local produce. They also actively engage with the provincial innovation stakeholders to build a more resilient and smarter community while preserving their rich culture and tribal practices.

DOST Governance Innovations:

1. DOST Region IV-B: Innovative Technologies as Solution to Water Security in Mimaropa—The STI interventions have benefitted 1,835 households or at least 9,000 individuals, especially from geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas serving various sectors, including women and Indigenous people.

2. DOST Region VI: S-PASS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) Travel Management System—As of April 6, it has reached over 7,457,664 registered users nationwide with 121 or 93.4 percent of LGUs using the system in the issuance of permits of incoming travellers.

3. DOST Region X: Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee— This innovation-driven network of agencies and institutions composed of eight NGAs, 12 HEIs, seven LGUs, four R&D consortia and four private sector/industry representatives expedited the realization of various innovation initiatives.

Image credits: Bernard Testa, Lyn B. Resurreccion, Henry A. de Leon

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/06/19/dost64-confers-science-for-the-people-awards-to-partners/?fbclid=IwAR267YX1ZNDb2l0d5S-srfpkXS8e3senFE66nxm7cuywSWz8rs0s6HzG5yI

DHum faculty member recognized by International Council for Media Literacy



Madelyn P. Garcia, assistant professor at the Department of Humanities (DHum), was recognized as one of the inaugural recipients of the Marieli Rowe Innovation in Media Literacy Education Award by the International Council for Media Literacy.

She placed fourth with her work “MOW: Meriam’s Online World”, a five-episode TV series that discusses media-related issues based on Filipino youth’s experiences and practices on different online platforms. It is designed to be an after-school viewing program for students in Grades 6 to 9.

The Marieli Rowe Innovation in Media Literacy Education Award recognizes works that demonstrate innovative critical thinking and push the media literacy education field forward. It is given to exemplary individuals who answer the question “Where to next for media literacy?” (Kyle Ramiel Dalangin, with information from www.ic4ml.org)

Source: https://uplb.edu.ph/updates/dhum-faculty-member-recognized-by-international-council-for-media-literacy/

Marcial named as new head of BPI’s wealth unit

THE WEALTH MANAGEMENT arm of listed Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) has appointed a new president and chief executive officer (CEO), it said in a statement on Monday.

BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. (BPI AMTC) is now headed by Maria Theresa D. Marcial, with her appointment taking effect on June 15. She is taking over the post of previous BPI AMTC President and CEO Shiela Marie U. Tan who headed the BPI unit since 2018.

“It is an honor to take charge of a company with an unrelenting commitment to provide the investing public with the best options and services that will help them build wealth and reach their goals. Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue excellence in fund management and steer towards the direction of shared success,” Ms. Marcial was quoted as saying in a BPI statement.

Ms. Marcial has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, specifically in the fields of strategic planning and finance, corporate banking, debt and equity capital markets, and investment management and trust.

She was previously chief finance officer, chief sustainability officer, and head of Strategy and Finance at BPI, where she was responsible for strategic planning, accounting, financial control, capital management, balance sheet analytics, corporate legal affairs and litigation, and investor relations, BPI said.

She also held leadership roles at the Fund Managers Association of the Philippines, Trust Officers Association of the Philippines, Capital Markets Development Committee of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Market Governance Board of Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp., and the National Advisory Council of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines.

Ms. Marcial obtained her master’s degree in Economics in 1995 from the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman after taking up BS Economics and graduating cum laude from UP Los Baños in 1990.

She completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2010.

Ms. Marcial was recently recognized by Asian Investor magazine as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Women in Asset Management in Asia. She was also awarded as a Most Outstanding Alumnus of UP Los Baños.

BPI AMTC had over P890 billion in assets under management as of March with an 18% market share in the Philippines.

Its parent BPI recorded a higher net income in the first three months of the year on improved net interest earnings. The bank’s net profit jumped by 59.6% to P8 billion in the first quarter from a year earlier.

This translated to a return on equity of 11%, while return on assets was at 1.36%.

The Ayala-led lender’s shares went down by P2.50 or 2.84% to close at P85.50 apiece on Monday. — K.B. Ta-asan

Source: https://www.bworldonline.com/banking-finance/2022/06/28/457774/marcial-named-as-new-head-of-bpis-wealth-unit/

UP Diliman leads top-performing schools for June 2022 Architect Licensure Exam

The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) was hailed as the top-performing school for June 2022 Architect Licensure Exam (ALE).



The Professional Regulation Commission released the results on Wednesday, June 23.

A total of 3,037 out of 4,766 passed the board exam.

UPD garnered an average of 97.01 percent with 65 out of 67 successful passers.

It was followed by the University of Santo Tomas with an 88.24 percent average. A total of 255 out of 289 examinees passed.

Meanwhile, a UP Mindanao graduate landed in the third spot of the top 10 highest places of June 2022 ALE.

Julius Benedict Aguilar Brillante finished with an 81.80 percent overall rating.

He graduated as a magna cum laude in 2018. (Luisa Cabato)

Source: https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/23/up-diliman-leads-top-performing-schools-for-june-2022-architect-licensure-exam/

IMFO Faculty, Dr. Acabado, receives an Excellent Research Paper Award from the National Taiwan Normal University

Assistant Professor Dr. Cristy Sales Acabado of the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (IMFO, CFOS), was recently granted the Excellent Research Paper Award by the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) for her research paper: “Vertical Nitrate Flux Induced by Kelvin-Helmholtz Billows Over a Seamount in the Kuroshio.” She is one of IMFO’s experts in Biological Oceanography and Planktology.

Her research was published in the Frontiers in Marine Science (Front. Mar. Sci., 20 October 2021, oi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.680729). She worked under the supervision of Prof. Chung-Chi Chen.

Dr. Acabado completed her doctoral degree in Biodiversity in 2022 at the NTNU and Academia Sinica in Taiwan, where she was a full government scholar under the Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP).

Source: https://www.upv.edu.ph/index.php/news/imfo-faculty-dr-acabado-receives-an-excellent-research-paper-award-from-the-national-taiwan-normal-university

Rogelio Singson is new MAP president

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

FORMER Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio “Babes” Lazo Singson is the new president of the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), the business group announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, MAP said Singson will finish the remaining term (July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022) of Dr. Alfredo Pascual, who has been appointed as secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Management Association of the Philippines President Rogelio Singson. TMT FILE PHOTO

Singson is the president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Metro Pacific Water (MPW).

He is also the president of MPW’s subsidiaries, Metro Iloilo Bulk Water Supply Corp., Metro Pacific Iloilo Water and Metro Pacific Dumaguete Water Services and serves as director of the Laguna Water District Aquatech Resources Corp., Eco-System Technologies International and Manila Water Consortium.
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Prior to joining MPW, he served as president and CEO of Meralco PowerGen Corp. and Light Rail Manila Corp.

Singson served as president and CEO of Maynilad Water Services and was also the senior vice president for Project Development of Citadel Holdings.

He was chairman and president of Bases Conversion and Development Authority from 1998 to 2002.

In June 2016, he was conferred the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross (Bayani).

Singson received other awards including Outstanding Exemplar in Government Service Award from Bulong Pulungan; Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award from UP Alumni Association; and Outstanding Manilan Award for Public Service.

He was also one of the recipients of the Outstanding Filipino Awards for Government/Public Service and was named the Most Distinguished Alumnus by UP Alumni Engineers in November 2011.

He holds a BS Industrial Engineering from the University of the Philippines.

MAP said other members of the Board of Governors from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2022 are DITO CME Chief Operating Officer Donald Lim as vice president; SGV & Co. Chairman and Country Managing Partner Wilson Tan as treasurer; Lazaro Bernardo Tiu & Associates Managing Director Romy Bernardo as assistant treasurer; CEO Advisors Inc. Managing Director Maan Hontiveros as secretary; Isla Lipana & Co./PwC Philippines Chairman Emeritus and ESG Leader Alex Cabrera as assistant secretary; Brain Trust Inc. Chairman Ciel Habito as governor; Phinma Education Holdings President and CEO Chito Salazar as governor; and Wallace Business Forum Chairman Peter Wallace as governor.

Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/06/16/business/corporate-news/rogelio-singson-is-new-map-president/1847503