Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic that plagues the country and the world, the leadership of the Philippine National Police, particularly the City of Malolos Police Station headed by P/LtCol. Jacqeline Puapo joins the entire Muslim faith in observance of the Holy Month of Ramahdan which started which started April 24, 2020 and will end may 23, 2020.
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may 4, 2020 Biocontrol Agent
Hindi na bago sa atin ang kaalaman patungkol sa mga negatibong epekto
sa kalusugan ng paggamit ng mga kemikal na pestesidyo sa ating mga
pananim. Subalit lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat, sa isang pag-aaral na
ginawa ni Dr. Mannix Pedro mula sa Biotechnology-University of the
Philippines Los Baños o Bio-tech U-P-L-B, napatunayan na may organiko
at hindi kemikal na solusyon upang matiyak ang kalidad ng mga pananim
nating prutas at gulay. Sa isang proyektong pinondohan ng Bureau of
Agricultural Research o BAR, nadiskubre na mayroong species ng yeast
na may strain na nagtataglay ng antagonistic properties laban sa mga
peste, bacteria, at fungi na nakasisira ng mga pananim.
Ayon kay Doktor Pedro, ang kanilang samahan ay naniniwalang may
sariling paraan ang kalikasan upang alagaan at pagalingin ang kanilang
mga sarili. Ito ang nagtulak sa kanila upang siyasatin kung paano
magagamit ang yeast upang bawasan ang kasiraang dulot ng mga
microorganism sa mga prutas at gulay gaya na lamang ng mangga,
saging, bell pepper, at talong. Ang pag-aaral na ito ay kaugnay rin ng
pagsusulong ng organic agriculture sa ating bansa.
Para sa karagdagan pang impormasyon ukol sa pag-aaral, maaaring
makipag-ugnayan kay Doktor Mannix Pedro sa numerong 0-4-9 5-3-6 1-5-
7-6 o sa kanyang e-mail na mannix23ph@yahoo.com (mannix m-a-n-n-i-x
2-3 p-h at yahoo dot com).
At para naman sa iba pang mga research at technology, i-like lamang ang
opisyal na Face-book page ng D-A BAR sa fb.com/DABAROfficial (f-b dot
com slash d-a bar official).
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Bangko Sentral officials signify interest in DOST-FPRDI’s Papel program
Key officials of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) visited the Department of Science and Technology – Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) to discuss possible collaboration in producing currency base paper (CBP) using locally available plant materials. Banknotes or paper money is printed on CBP.
During the meeting, Ms. Adela S. Torres of the Institute’s Pulp and Paper Products Development Section presented the results of the laboratory-scale production of CBP handsheets.
Cooked and bleached abaca specialty pulp, salago bast fibers and mangium chips were formed into CBP handsheets at the DOST-FPRDI Pulping and Papermaking Laboratory.
“Tests showed that the handsheets’ folding endurance was similar to that of imported currency base paper, aside from having superior tear strength,” explained Torres.
She added that the BSP officials had signified their interest in the “Pulp and Paper Enhancement Research from Local Sources (PAPEL)” program, which aims to produce specialty and security base paper using 100% locally-sourced fibers.
Thru the project, the Institute will procure a paper machine for “security/specialty-grade paper with modern wastewater treatment facility” to pilot-test the production of CBP, abaca waste fibers as reinforced packaging papers, and security-based papers used in printing land titles and passports, among others. The machine can produce at least six tons of paper in a day.
“With the help of a private company that will adopt DOST-FPRDI’s technology, we look forward to supplying at least 20% of BSP’s CBP requirement. We will also explore the possibility of supplying other countries’ needs, particularly those that have yet to produce their own CBPs,” shared Torres.
Currently, Philippine banknotes are printed on imported CBP made from 20% abaca and 80% cotton. While the country produces and exports large volume of abaca pulp, it still imports about 780,000 kg of CBP yearly.
“Producing our own paper money using locally sourced materials will not only promote our local fibers but will also save us lots of money. According to BSP, approximately three billion pesos is spent annually in printing new banknotes to replace deteriorated or demonetized ones,” said Torres.
“We are just awaiting the green light and funding for the PAPEL program. Right now, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOST-FPRDI and BSP is being prepared,” she ended.
The meeting was held on 12 February 2020. Among the attendees were Senior Assistant Governor Dahlia D. Luna, Head of the BSP Security Plant Complex; DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development Deputy Executive Director Raul C. Sabularse; and Philippine Paper Manufacturers Association, Inc. Executive Director Engr. Ray Geganto. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin, FPRDI S&T Media Service)