ENERO 7 2021

Lumikha ng napakaraming kawalan ang COVID-19 pandemic sa buong mundo bukod pa sa nagdala sa maraming tao sa bingit ng panganib.  Ang nangunguna sa paglaban kontra sa karamdamang ito ay ang mga kawani ng mga pagamutan, pulisya at military atbp. Itinataya ng mga frontliner na ito ang kanilang mga buhay at kadalasang dumidistansya sila maging sa kani-kanilang mga sariling pamilya.

upang makatulong labanan ang pagod dulot ng pagbabantay sa mga kritikal na COVID-19 checkpoints, ang proyektong “itik for life” ng Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) inimplimenta ng Sultan Kudarat State University, na nagkakaloob ng special package Itik eggs!

Mga frontliners mula sa 6 na mga community police assistance centers (COMPAC) at 2 rural health units sa Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat ang nakatanggap ng 10 tray ng nilagang itlog ng itik at 5 tray ng balut buhat sa nasabing proyekto. Ito ang katugnan buhat sa Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) administration sa pangunguna ng kanilang president, Dr. Rolando F. Hechanova, at ang Itik for Life Project Team sa pangunguna naman ni Mr. Michael John Benavidez sa panawagang suportahan ang Bayanihan Act.

Ang nasabing mga itlog ay bunga ng Itik for Life project, na inimplimenta ng SKSU upang matantya ang production performance at kalidad ng mga itlog ng Itik Pinas (IP)-Kayumanggi sa Region 12. ang IP-Kayumanggi ay strain ng layer-type duck, ni idinibelop sa pamamagitan ng breeding and selection R&D project na pinondohan ng PCAARRD.  Ang kasalukuyang proyektong Itik for Life ay pinondohan ng DOST at minomonitor ng PCAARRD.

Sa ilan pang lingo, inaasahang makapagkakaloob ang proyekto ng maraming balut at itlog sa mga lugar ng Surallah, South Cotabato, kung saan ang mga farmer cooperators sa lugar ay nagpakita ng kagustuhan na itabi ang kanilang inani para sa mga frontliners.

Samantala kaparehong inisyatibo rin ang ginagawa sa bahagi ng Davao kung saan tinatangkang abutin ang mga frontliners sa pamamagitan ng Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office XI (DA-RFO XI), na nanguna bilang lead agency in charge sa DOST-PCAARRD Itik for Life Project sa Davao Region. nag donate sila ng duck eggs sa barangay Manambulan, Tugbok District, Davao City bilang paraan ng pakikibahagi sa mga inani ng proyekto para sa mga frontliners at mga pamilyang nasa talaan ng mga prayoridad.si Barangay Chairman Cris Pecassion at ang kanyang staff ang tumanggap ng mga produkto buhat sa project Team na pinangngunahan ni Ms. Nida Gigayon of DA-RFO XI Research Division, ang Regional Coordinator ng proyekto. 

Nagdonate din ang team ng fresh duck eggs sa Task Force (TF)-Davao sa pakikipagtulngan ng Davao City-City Social Services Development Office, sa pamamagitan ni Ms. Elena Gabaton. Si PFC Joy B. Almendras ang tumanggap sa pangalan ng TF-Davao. Nagsilbing saksi naman si Ms.Melody Manungas mula sa Davao City Mayor’s Office -Malasakit Center sa nasabing turn over. Kagaya sa Sultan Kudarat Team, ang Itik for Life-Davao Project ay  aabot sa mas maraming frontliners sa mga sumunod na araw.

Ang PCAARRD ay isa sa mga sectoral councils ng DOST, na may mandato na lumikha ng mga patakaran, pagpaplano at programa para sa maka agham at teknolohikal na R&D sa ibat ibang sektor sa ilalim ng paggabay nito. Sila ang  nagko- coordinate, nag e-evaluate, at nagmo monitor sa mga pambansang R&D efforts ng AANR sector. Sila rin ang nag a-allocate ng government at external funds para sa R&D at naghahanap ng mga mapagkukunan upang masuportahan ang kanilang mga programa. Buhat sa mga detalyeng galing kay Anna Marie Alo, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services at mga impormasyong buhat kina Michael John Benavidez, SKSU, at Nida Gigayon, DA-RFO XI ///MJ Balaguer, +630953611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com  

-30-

Outstanding published R&D papers honored in Dr. Elvira O. Tan Awards

Three published research and development papers in agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources and environment topics were conferred with the Dr. Elvira O. Tan Awards.

In Agriculture, the Outstanding Published Paper was conferred to “De novo genome sequence assembly of dwarf coconut (Cocos nucifera L. ‘Catigan Green Dwarf’) provides insights into genomic variation between coconut types and related palm species,” authored by Mr. Darlon V. Lantican of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It was implemented by UPLB-Institute of Plant Breeding and the Boyce Thompson Institute.

The research work reported the first high-quality sequence assembly and annotation of the whole-genome sequence (WGS) of a dwarf coconut variety, ‘Catigan Green Dwarf’ (CATD). This sequence information provides the most basic and information needed to conduct more precise and directed research to address productivity and income concerns of farmers and the supply and quality demand imposed by local and international markets/consumers.

Under Aquatic Sciences Category, the award was bestowed to the project, “Reproductive development of the threatened giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)” by Mr. Peter A. Palma of the Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC).

The project was implemented by SEAFDEC, University of Ryukyus, University of the Sunshine Coast, and Research Institute for Aquaculture.

The research work describes the reproductive development of the threatened giant grouper, providing a foundation for ongoing research activities on the development of the giant grouper broodstock and hatchery management. Additionally, the research data can be used for the formulation of management policies for the threatened giant grouper species. 

Lastly, the project, “Mapping Fishing Activities and Suitable Fishing Grounds Using Nighttime Satellite Images and Maximum Entropy Modelling” by Mr. Rollan C. Geronimo of the Department of Geography, University of Hawaii, was the Outstanding Published Paper awardee under Natural Resources and Environment Category. It is implemented by the University of Hawaii, U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Earth Observation Group, and National Fisheries Research and Development Institute.

The study highlights the use of nighttime satellite images in obtaining information on the spatial fishing effort of fisheries, especially in Southeast Asia. Using maximum entropy modeling, the study identified bathymetry and chlorophyll as the main environmental predictors of spatial occurrence of the core fishing areas. Data from the study can be used to inform various fisheries management interventions in the country.

The Awards were given during the virtual S&T Awards and Recognition of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) held on December 22, 2020 via the Council’s Facebook page (Rose Anne M. Aya, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services). 

Ulat SIPAG major awardees for print and broadcast categories announced

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) once again recognized its media partners through the Ulat SIPAG Awards.

The winners were awarded during the Council’s 9th S&T Awards and Recognition ceremony streamed via Facebook Live on December 22, 2020. 

Five media writers and broadcasters were conferred as this year’s Ulat SIPAG awardees. The Awards aim to recognize the efforts of professional media in promoting PCAARRD-supported research and development outputs, particularly the DOST-PCAARRD’s Industry Strategic S&T Programs or ISPs. These programs are implemented by agency-partners from the 15 regions of the country,

Ulat SIPAG for Print

The print category recognizes the efforts of journalists showcasing their creativity and wit in popularizing science topics through writing in local and regional newspapers and magazines.

Bagging this year’s top award is Mr. Julio P. Yap, Jr., the business editor of Daily Tribune. This is the third year that Mr. Yap won first place in the said category. His entries showed articles published in Agriculture Magazine and Panay News, two media outfits he was previously affiliated with.

The 2nd place was awarded to Mr. Cecilio T. Gunio, a reporter of the Manila Standard. 

Ulat SIPAG for Broadcast  

The broadcast category, on the other hand, commends media broadcasters who are adept and have mastered communicating science and technical topics in the agriculture, aquatic and natural resources in a form that is understood and appreciated by their listeners and viewers.

This year, Ms. Hermelina C. Tenorio, program host of Syensya na, Tekno Pa of Radyo Agila, Eagle Broadcasting Corporation garnered the top award of the said category. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Custer C. Deocaris and Dr. Josephine D. Agapito, program hosts of Pinoy Scientist, from the same broadcasting company, were awarded second and third place winners.

Ulat SIPAG Awards is only one of the four awards conferred during the 9th S&T Awards and Recognition ceremony themed, “PCAARRD @9: Recognizing Excellence “GALING” Amidst the Pandemic” (Jamsie Joy E. Perez, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).