“The agency (DOST-STII) could be the benchmark of other DOST agencies,” Maria Fe Singson, Supervising Science Research Specialist and the Department of Science and Technology-Gender and Development Focal Point System (DOST-GFPS) member, said during the virtual Executive Briefing on Gender Mainstreaming, held on 10 September 2020 for DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute executives and GAD-TWG.
DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) was among the eight agencies in the DOST to have an endorsed GAD Plan and Budget (GPB). Singson also commended the agency for its timely submission of the Gender Mainstreaming Evaluation Framework (GMEF) scoresheet, citing its improved evaluation that has evolved over the past years.
Richard P. Burgos, DOST-STII director and GFPS chairperson said that this is due to the whole system’s collective effort and support from the management. He also emphasized that this is only the beginning of the agency’s GAD mainstreaming.
However, Singson stressed that the agency should continue its programs such as the gender-fair media trainings and language checker software development, as it is the only attached agency that focuses on science, technology, and innovation (STI) information content development and promotion.
This GAD Executive Briefing served as a refresher course on Gender Mainstreaming that helped the agency design the next steps towards their GAD goals. Furthermore, this briefing is among the activities included in the recently recalibrated 2020 GPB, which was endorsed by the Philippine Council for Women (PCW) in August.
As proof of the agency’s commitment to the GAD agenda and advocacy, two of its flagship programs were reported to have adhered to gender-fair language practices. DOSTv, the official television program of the DOST, and STARBOOKS were included as attributed programs, helping the agency reach the 5% GAD allocation on the overall budget despite of the reduced cost of most activities due to the pandemic.
To ensure continuity, the next steps that the agency plans to embark on is to properly utilize its data and formulate the GAD Agenda to appropriately craft its roadmap for the next five years. By Christel Castillo, S&T Media Service
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RuralSync Project, sinimulan ng DOST-ASTI
Isang proyektong naglalayong tugunan ang pangangailangan sa epektibong kagamitan sa pagbabahagi ng impormasyon ngayong panahon ng pandemya lalo na sa mga liblib na lugar sa Pilipinas na walang internet access, ay ibinahagi ng Department of Science and Technology- Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI).
Ito ay ang tinawag na RuralSync Project na layunin na pag-aralan ang gamit ng iba’t ibang wireless technologies na base sa TV broadcast signal at sa pagdagdag ng kaalaman sa educational electronic materials at iba pang multimedia content sa malalayo o liblib na lugar.
Ang proyekto ay alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Duterte sa DOST na magsaliksik ng iba’t ibang paraan kabilang na ang mga hindi nagagamit ng TV frequency upang masuportahan ang online learning ngayong panahon ng pandemya, lalo na sa mga lugar na wala o lubhang mabagal ang internet connection.
Sa ngayon ay tuloy-tuloy ang pagbuo ng RuralSync Receiver Prototype na isang murang uri ng Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) receiver na maaaring isaksak sa isang single board computer o computer upang makatanggap ng digital TV signals na may audio at video at may naka-embed na file o data.
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DOST IX grants 700k-worth Seaweed Dryer Project
to Coastal Communities in ZDS
Turnover of the cheque to Bomba and Baroy Seaweeds Farmers Association Thru the Provincial Governor Victor J. Yu.
A grant worth ₱700,000.00 was given by the Department of Science and Technology Region IX (DOST-IX) to the Bomba and Baroy Seaweeds Farmers Association, composed of two groups of seaweed farmers in the coastal communities of the Municipality of Dumalinao and Pagadian City in Zamboanga Del Sur.
The project entitled “Province-Wide Technology Adoption of DOST-Funded Greenhouse Permanent / Floating Type Seaweed Dryer with Foldable Siding for the Seaweed Farmers” is being implemented through its Provincial S&T Center (PSTC) of Zamboanga Del Sur with the assistance of the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur, headed by Hon. Victor J. Yu.
Through the grant, the association was able to acquire the permanent seaweed dryers that are expected to yield better quality and higher valued dried seaweeds that will benefit 150 local seaweed farmers. Both groups cultivate Kappaphycus alvarezii (cottonii type) locally known as “guso” or “agar-agar”.
The said Grant-In-Aid program is in collaboration with the University of the Philippines – Los Banos (UPLB) – Center of Agri-Fisheries and Biosystems Mechanization (BIOMECH). The innovative design of the seaweed dryer was done under the leadership of Dr. Ronel S. Pangan of UPLB-BIOMECH that is designed to suit the variable environmental conditions of different seaweed culture sites in the country.
Floating-type seaweed drying system which uses a drum floatation device
Permanent-type seaweed drying system
(Images credit: Marine Resources Research Division (MRRD), PCAARRD)
The use of this drying technology ensures higher efficacy of drying and secures freshly harvested seaweeds from abrupt weather changes, ultimately improving the quality of dried seaweeds as compared to conventional seaweed drying practices.
The DOST-GIA program has been reputed to serve and promote inclusivity to local communities by developing and introducing technological innovations and collaborating with various government institutions in order to achieve a holistic and positive impact.
For more information, please call please call (062) 991-1024/ (062) 925 1838 or text 09177184284 and look for Nori Vincent C. Aposagas, or email DOST-IX at dost9info@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DOSTRegion9 (NVCAposagas, DOST/PSTC-ZDS)