THE launch and opening to the public of the first ever Metrology in Chemistry Laboratory in the Philippines last Nov. 9 2021.
Present in the event were representatives of the food and water industries, people in the science sector and the science community in the country.
The launch and opening was graced by officials of the Department of Science and Technology-Industrial Technology Development Institute including Director ng ITDI na si Dr. Annabelle Briones, and DOST Sec. Fortunato T. de la Pena.
The four storey building houses the MiC Laboratory is located at the central offices of the DOST at the Science Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City.
According to the DOST-ITDI the establishment of a MiC Laboratory is geared toward augmenting the local testing laboratories in the country to comply with the traceable chemical measurements to come up with reference materials (RMs) and bring about accuracy-based Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes.
Members of the Press also participated personally at the event while some prefer via zoom .///Mj Olvina-Balaguer, 09053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com and konekted@dzmjonline.net DZMJ ONLINE MAKABULUHANG JORNALISMO YOUR HAPPINESS CHANNEL
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‘Soilless Vegetable Gardening’: Another means of crop battlefield
Photo Courtesy: CLSU Hydroponics Aquaponics FB Page
Infected with a complex strain of technological and economic crisis, the Philippine vegetable industry has been referred to in an almost ‘comatose’ condition for so many years, and it threatens the country’s food security.
Some experts say that the present system of local agriculture is no longer suitable, especially in the vegetable industry, wherein, there’s the fast-growing population, increasing hunger demand, rapid development of rural areas to become urban jungles, global warming, and climate change.
Facing these difficulties, different agencies of government have responded and embarked on several projects that would lessen its impact by turning to science and technology.
Hydroponic [from the Greek words ‘hudor’ for water and ‘ponos’ for work, means ‘water working’] is not a new design of gardening/farming in the country but it is one of the smart agricultural technologies that can help the country ensure food security and to be climate resistant in the future.
Through this modern concept, Dr. Chito Sace of Hydroponics and Aquaponics Technology of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, introduces another means of crop battlefield, known as Hydroponic Household Garden, it is a complete set of hydroponic system for leafy vegetables and herbs that one can easily manage even in the backyard
Photo Courtesy: CLSU Hydroponics Aquaponics FB Page This simple plant factory which can produce up to 360 plants per one square meter area takes place in a protected and controlled structure such as a greenhouse, that is funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
Hydroponic Household Garden is a ‘soilless vegetable gardening’ model that uses a ‘one pump rule’ system, where one pump takes the water from the tank full of nutrient solution to the highest portion of the growing system. After 30 days or less, according to Dr. Sace, leafy vegetables and herbs are ready for harvest.
Produce more, water conservation, and energy conservation, are the three major benefits of this smart agricultural technology.
Dr. Sace recommends [in one of his video presentations] that the success of hydroponic garden is through passion and study of farming or gardening, because it is very simple and easy to manage since the production is a cycle, just like how a crop is planted in soil, except the extra work such as hoeing, weeding, and watering.
Hydroponics as precision and smart technique, hopes to provide economic welfare to local farmers, as well as the citizens who are also consumers and the next generation.
Indeed, learning science and new technology is beneficial as well as entertaining, particularly if it is in a form of recreation; an example of which is hassle-free gardening using hydroponics.
Engage with us on the one-week celebration of National Science and Technology Week from 22-28 November 22-28, that will happen virtually, the second time around!
The one-week celebration full of science, technology, and innovation carries the theme, ”Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon”, that will surely benefit its participants with the exciting S&T contents through webinars and forums and other enriching activities.
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USHER tech boosts disaster readiness of Cabuyao and San Pedro cities
By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII, S&T Media Service
The cities of Cabuyao and San Pedro in the province of Laguna are aiming to have a more coordinated plan and response during times of natural disasters such as earthquake with their adoption and installation of USHER or the Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording, a technology developed through the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The ceremonial turnover was held on 24 November 2021, spearheaded by the DOST-CALABARZON, as part of the 2021 National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration.
USHER system is a 24/7 economical and hassle-free system that provides advanced decision support tools for building managers and officials of local government units to implement structural health monitoring and management. It is weather and theft-proof system that remotely monitors the structural health of bridges and buildings, enabling officials to determine whether the structures need repairs or upgrades to withstand natural hazards like earthquakes.
It is a research product commercialization project of Mapua University through Dr. Francis Aldrine A. Uy, and the Department of Science and Technology–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technologies Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
During the turnover, DOST-CALABARZON Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit said that USHER technology can assist local government units in monitoring the structural condition of critical government infrastructures. Bagsit further said that it is an accurate method to ascertain mitigation strategies to safeguard the buildings where the USHER is installed. It can be used to determine whether the building needs retrofitting or if people are still safe to return to the building in the event that a high-intensity earthquake hits the area.
“As of now, USHER technology adopters are concentrated in the National Capital Region. That is why we are really looking forward that there will be more technology adopters of the USHER here in the CALABARZON region. Soon, we will become a testimony to other regions and motivate them also to adopt the USHER and further build a strong country prepared for the disasters such as the most feared: the Big One,” said Bagsit.
Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña shared that USHER is a 24/7 web portal system that allows remote monitoring and analysis of the structural integrity of buildings and other structures and it enables economical and hassle-free compliance to government regulations.
“I am glad that USHER is now crossing boundaries outside Metro Manila. This testifies the need for and importance of this research product commercialization to our people – it is a good example of making science for the people,” said Secretary de la Peña.
On the other hand, Office of Civil Defense-CALABARZON Regional Director Ma. Theresa R. Escolano underscored how USHER technology could be a big leap in disaster management in the region as it plays an important role in determining the safety and integrity of infrastructures before, during, and after an earthquake.
“This technology is a breakthrough in disaster management and tools and equipment. As we face risks brought about by the earthquake, this locally developed technology will guide and help structural engineers as well as disaster managers in the monitoring and immediate assessment of infrastructure,” said Regional Director Escolano.
Moreover, San Pedro City Laguna Mayor Lourdes S. Cataquiz shared her appreciation to the DOST as she cited that this partnership with DOST-CALABARZON and the adoption of USHER would really help the City Government of San Pedro especially during times of calamities and disasters.
“The USHER system is a very innovative tool to guarantee that our buildings are safe especially every time we experience earthquakes. This will help us protect and ensure the safety of our constituents. We are very thankful for this opportunity and may this be the start of many collaborations with you as we work towards the betterment of our communities and constituents,” said Mayor Cataquiz.
The turnover ceremony was part of the DOST-CALABARZON’s project on the Deployment of a Structural Health Monitoring System for Critical Government-Owned Buildings along with the Valley Fault System (VFS). With the support of the Office of Civil Defense – CALABARZON and the LGUs concerned, DOST-CALABARZON aims to deploy earthquake sensors that can provide a rapid assessment of critical government buildings and infrastructures in preparation for “The Big One”.
The 2021 NSTW is a weeklong virtual celebration that features the various DOST developed and implemented projects, programs, and services that kicked off on 22 November and will last up to 28 November 2021. To see the daily activities and webinars offered to the public for FREE, log in to www.nstw.dost.gov.ph or visit the NSTW Facebook page. (With information from DOST-CALABARZON)
USHER or the Universal Structural Health Evaluation and Recording has been turned over to cities of San Pedro and Cabuyao in Laguna on 24 November 2021 to aid in providing advanced decision support tools to building managers and officials of local government units for structural health monitoring and management.