DOST to offer business incubation services in provinces

DOST to offer business incubation services in provinces

By Luisa S. Lumioan

S&T Media Service

The Technology Resource Center of the Department of Science and Technology will soon give a wider range of support to countryside entrepreneurs with the establishment of its Community Technology Business Incubation program this year. TRC Director Dennis Cunanan said that the program, an offshoot of DOST’s Open Technology Business Incubation (Open TBI), will be implemented in partnership with the DOST regional offices. 

A technology business incubator, or TBI, is a program that helps entrepreneurial companies and start-up businesses to take off and develop through the TBI’s array of business support resources and services. Some of TBI services include business space for rent, marketing assistance, accounting/financial management assistance, links to partners, help with regulatory compliance, and others.

In addition to helping entrepreneurs propel their businesses, the DOST-TRC also helps displaced overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to start over through its free livelihood trainings. DOST, in partnership with Duty Free Philippines, likewise offers livelihood packages such as washing machines for Laundromat business or car tools for automobile service business through its Kabuhayan Shopping Program.

To celebrate its 35^th anniversary this Feb. 23, DOST-TRC vows to continue its legacy of providing opportunities for the people.

“The TRC has been the industry leader in terms of livelihood training and technology resource for nearly 35 years.  In keeping up with its mandate of creating opportunities, TRC will continue improving and innovating its programs to be able to enhance the productivity of more sectors,” DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said.

This year, TRC will focus on sectors like the youth, women, senior citizens and OFW’s.  According to TRC Director Dennis Cunanan, expanding TRC’s services will enable it to serve more sectors and, this way, people can identify themselves and find their place in the whole picture.

 “Creating opportunities is a continuous process. We will not stop from now and make sure that the workforce of the center will adapt to the changing times and we will be still relevant and effective as an institution.  The people deserve nothing less,” Cunanan said.

Aside from strengthening its public-private partnerships, TRC’s programs also include commercialization of DOST mature technologies. In the pipeline is the commercialization of affordable baby foods developed by Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI).

TRC was created on February 23, 1977 to hasten and enhance social and economic progress in the country through harnessing indigenous resources and technologies.  Under former President Corazon Aquino, it was renamed as Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC).  Last 2007, by virtue of Executive Order 614 by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, it regained its original name and was placed under the administrative supervision of DOST.

DOST launches solution to the water hyacinth problem

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) yesterday launched the Water Hyacinth Harvester, a machine that collects up to 25 kilos of  free-floating water hyacinths per load. Demonstrated at the Laguna Lake area by the C6 Road, the harvester addresses the fast-increasing number of water hyacinths that clog waterways. DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said that the  prototype can be modified according to the needs of the community. The collected hyacinths can be used for income-generating activities. (Photos by Henry De Leon, S&T Media Service))

By George Robert Valencia III

S&T Media Service

To the increasing number of water hyacinth clogging the metro waterways and elsewhere, the Department of Science and Technology has just unveiled its locally-developed solution: a machine that scoops up the plants to put them in good use.

Developed by engineers from the Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC), the machine, called the Water Hyacinth Harvester, can collect and  hold up to 25 kilograms of water hyacinth per load. When full, the harvester discharges the collected plants to a dumping site or an assisting barge.

The harvester mechanically removes water hyacinths using a specially-developed conveyor system. “Mechanically removing the plant is the better alternative  because chemical methods are hazardous to plants and animals,” according to the research team. The harvester was launched Feb 15 near the banks of the Laguna Lake in C6 Road, Taguig City.

The Harvester, one of DOST’s technology solutions, is a collaboration between DOST-MIRDC and the Project Management Engineering and Design Service Office, with funding of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.

According to DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, the Water Hyacinth Harvester prototype can still be modified and enhanced, depending on the need or the size and type of body of water where it will be used. “The DOST is very open to the adoption of the technology and also the improvement of the equipment,” he added.

Meanwhile, Corazon T. Jimenez, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Undersecretary and General Manager, also said that she expects the harvester to be permanently stationed in Pasig River to collect hyacinths that flow from the Marikina River.

 “I thank the DOST and the MMDA for choosing the City of Taguig as their pilot site in the testing and demonstration of another innovative and breakthrough project,”  Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano enthused. “This machine solves the problem of the  tedious and time consuming manual harvesting water hyacinths that have clogged our waterways.”

Known locally as water lily, water hyacinth is infamous for clogging irrigations and water systems. As the plant multiplies rapidly, it depletes entire water reservoirs, damages fishing activities, and reduces biodiversity. It also holds vectors, or disease-carrying organisms, and hinders water transport.

Among the country’s hyacinth-infested waterways are the Liguasan Marsh in Central Mindanao, the Pasig River in Metro Manila, and Laguna de Bay.

On the other side of its otherwise notorious reputation, the water hyacinth can actually be a very good raw material for novel products that can churn in income for individuals and communities.

Among these products are handicrafts, pieces of furniture, and tablewares.

Meanwhile, the DOST continues to develop several technologies that specifically use water hyacinth. These are biogas, animal feeds, and geotextiles that prevent soil erosion.

Also, the Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) recently held a fashion show that showcases fabrics from water hyacinth fibers.

DOST-PCHRD raises Code Yellow for hepa B prevention

The Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST) is now on the aggressive in raising awareness for hepatitis B through a movement called Code Yellow.

“Yellow (is used) because patients with hepatitis usually manifest yellowish pigmentation of the skin. Code Yellow then means that we are exposing the information on hepatitis to increase the community’s awareness on the disease,” Dr. Lemuel Delos Reyes, medical doctor and  Hepatitis B Awareness Campaign advocate said during the PCHRD-conducted seminar “Code Yellow, Mission Against Hepatitis” last January.

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, most commonly caused by a viral infection. The disease has five different types, namely hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Hepatitis A and E are typically caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water. Hepatitis B, C and D usually occur as a result of parenteral contact with infected body fluids. Common modes of transmission include receipt of contaminated blood or blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, sharing of inanimate objects such as wash cloth, towels, toothbrushes, razors, among others. The disease can also be transmitted through prenatal exposure to an infected mother.

Acute infection may occur with limited or no symptoms. Among the symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark or “tea-like” urine, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.

The disease is a serious public health issue because it is highly contagious and easily transmitted. It is also of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death it cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.

According to the Hepatitis B Foundation Institute for Hepatitis and Virus Research, more than two billion people worldwide have been infected by hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and one million people die each year.

In the Philippines, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 60 percent of Filipinos have been infected with HBV while approximately 10 percent of Filipinos have chronic or active hepatitis B and are virus carriers. “This means that there are already around 8-10 million hepatitis B carriers in the country who might infect more people,” revealed Dr. Delos Reyes.

“We are all at risk. Though the disease has no cure yet, it is highly preventable,” said Dr. Delos Reyes.

Aside from proper hygiene and sanitation, vaccination is an important way to prevent the disease. “Vaccination is the easiest and most logical means of preventing the disease. It is also recognized as the most effective and long term means of preventing hepatitis,” said Dr. Delos Reyes. (Edmon B. Agron, S&T Media Service)

PH can be global leader in healthcare BPO this year, says ICTO exec

By S&TMedia Service

QUEZON CITY—The Philippines is poised to become the world leader in the multibillion-dollar worth healthcare information management outsourcing this year, an executive of the Information Communications and Technology Office said.

According to Mr. Alejandro Melchor, Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) Deputy Executive Director, the availability of licensed healthcare professionals such as nurses in the country would ensure the steady supply of agents to fill in the seats for healthcare outsourcing.

Aside from medical transcription, the healthcare outsourcing market has evolved to include high-value services namely, clinical coding, disease management, revenue cycle management and pharmaceutical benefits management.

Healthcare information management outsourcing is one of four areas that the Philippines is looking into for expansion, alongside finance and accounting, HR outsourcing, and animation and creative process outsourcing, said Mr. Melchor.

As the number one voice services provider worldwide, Mr. Melchor said that it is crucial for the country to move into “high-value chain” services such as the four growth areas.

“Medical information outsourcing is the most promising of the four sectors we are targeting for growth. In fact, the Philippines is the de facto number one this year, not in the total number of seats but in terms of being a destination of choice,” said Mr. Melchor.

To date, some 14,000 Filipino health care professionals earned $102 million in revenues for the healthcare sector.

ICTO promised it will work and coordinate efforts closely with the Business Process Association Philippines (BPAP) and the Healthcare Information Management Outsourcing Association of the Philippines to plan a roadmap for the four high-growth areas.

During a press conference held last week, Ms. Gillian Joy Virata, BPAP executive Senior Executive Director, said that eight in ten companies that visit the country will do business here, a recognition of the country's skilled workers and favorable business climate.

Driving the growth of the huge market for Healthcare information management outsourcing is the steady growth of the aging “baby boomers” in the United States and the recently signed landmark healthcare law “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” under the Obama administration, said Mr. Melchor.

“Industry estimates that at least $530 billion dollars are needed to implement the measure and that means business for outsourcing players like the Philippines given our readily-available pool of certified medical workers,” explained Mr. Melchor.

“A little retooling of skills is needed to make the Filipino medical workers IT-savvy,” he said.

In a press statement, BPAP Chairman Alfredo Ayala said that the outsourcing industry will grow to $25 billion in export revenues in 2016. By that year alone, the sector will generate 1.3 million direct and 3.2 million indirect jobs.

Coming up soon: a quicker way to detect dengue

By Luisa S. Lumioan

S&T Media Service

Now, dengue can be diagnosed at its early stage.  A locally-developed rapid test kit called Biotek-M has just made it possible. Through this new method, patients and their loved ones may now be eased from emotional worries and financial woes because of the quick dengue detection offered by Biotek-M.

Developed by experts from the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology-National Institutes of Health (IMBB-NIH) University of the Philippines Manila, is as accurate as the most popular but quite expensive dengue detection method called the Polymerase Chain Reaction or PCR technology. Because it is locally-developed, Biotek-M is more affordable for the average Filipino.

Biotek-M uses isothermal PCR technology, a variation of the usual PCR, in which the nucleic acid is extracted from the blood and added to a mixture.  The mixture with the nucleic acid would change its color after one hour. A positive result would be indicated by green color and a negative result would be indicated by orange color.

Aside from the quick detection and less expensive test that benefit patients, Biotek-M also benefits doctors and hospitals, according to Dr. Raul V. Destura, director of IMBB-NIH and Biotek-M project leader. The development of Biotek-M is funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) as part of DOST’s anti-dengue program.

Dr. Destura says that through Biiotek-M, doctors would make better decisions for their patients if they can confirm or rule out dengue the soonest possible time. Moreover, institutional units or hospitals would not have to admit every patient suspected of dengue.  This would translate to better delivery of health care to the patients because the hospital would have less admissions and therefore more time for staff to attend to patients and more hospital resources available for patients who need them the most.

As a whole, the rapid test kit would greatly impact public health care in terms of dengue management.

As of interview, Dr. Destura said that clinical validation of the research is on the process to comply with regulatory requirements before commercial release of Biotek-M.

Currently, Biotek-M is being used in three hospitals namely Rizal Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, and Philippine Children’s Medical Center for field testing.  “So far the results are promising,” said Dr. Destura.

Biotek-M is a step closer to “our dream of bringing health-related technology closer to the people,” Dr. Destura said.  Dr. Destura’s team also believes that isothermal technology used in Biotek-M is a very good platform for all diagnostics of infectious diseases.

Diagnostics technology is one of the major thrusts of DOST-PCHRD and component of DOST’s anti-dengue program.

Currently used tests for detecting dengue leave the families with no choice but to spend much amount of money. One kind of test available in the country is the serological test which detects substances in the body that are associated with certain diseases.  This test is accurate but it cannot be administered at the onset, or the first five days, of fever.  If the patient arrives at the hospital within the first five days of fever, chances are, he would be admitted and have to pay for hospitalization until the test can be done.

The patient can opt for early detection within the first five days of the onset of fever but he would have to shell out at least P 7,000 to P 8,000 for the PCR test. This kind of test detects the nucleic acid, or the building block, of the organism of the virus.  Because it is highly targeted, PCR detects the virus 95 percent of the time.

Another way to detect the presence of dengue is through antigen detection. This method detects the presence of certain antibody in the patient’s system. However, because it has a very low sensitivity, a negative result does not automatically mean the absence of dengue virus.

KRIMINALIDAD: Negosyante, mamamayan nangamba sa serye ng pamamaslang

MALOLOS—Muling nagpahayag ng pangamba ang mga negosyante lalawigan ng Bulacan hinggil sa pagtaas ng insidente ng kriminalidad sa lalawigan sa loob ng nagdaang isang buwan.

Inihalintulad naman ito ng ilang Bulakenyo sa mga karahasan sa lalawigan sa unang bahagi ng nakaraang taon na tinampukan ng pamamayagpag at pagsuko ng Dominguez carjack gang, at pagkatanggal sa puwesto ni Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva, ang dating provincial director ng pulisya sa Bulacan.

Para kay Gob. Wilhelmino Alvarado, mababa pa rin ang kriminlidad sa lalawigan, ngunit nagkataon lamang na nagkasunod-sunod ang mga insidente. Sa pagsisimula ng panungkulan ni Alvarado noong 2010 ay nagwika na ang mabuting pamamahala ay magbubunga ng kaayusan at kapayapaan, na magdudulot naman pagpasok ng mga negosyante sa lalawigan na lilikha ng maraming trabaho.

Kapansin-pansin naman ang pagiging tikom ng bibig ng pulisya, partikular na sa insidente ng pamamaslang sa bayan ng San Miguel na nagpataas ng tensyon sa mga pulitikong posibleng magtunggali sa susunod na taon.

Narito ang ilan sa mga naitalang insidente ng kriminalidad sa Bulacan mula noong huling bahagi ng Enero.

*Apat na hinihinalang kasapi ng Dominguez carjack group ang napatay ng pulisya sa isang shootout sa lungsod ng Meycauyan noong Enero 24 ng gabi.

*Kinabukasan, Enero 25, binaril at napatay ang negosyanteng si Cristina Roxas ng Paombong habang nakasakay ng isang jeepeney di kalayuan sa kapitolyo.  Ito ay matapos na dumalo sa nakanselang pagdinig sa kaso si Roxas na isinampa niya laban sa Dominguez group.  Batay sa inisyal na ulat ng pulisya ng Malolos, posibleng mga kasapi ng Dominguez group ang pumaslang kay Roxas, ngunit sa mga sumunod na araw ay kapansin-pansin ang pananahimik nila.

*Tinangay ng mga armadong kalalakihang nakasuot ng jacket ng pulis ang sports utulity vehicle ng pamilya Hortillosa sa Lungsod ng ng Meycauayan bandang alas-9 ng umaga noong Pebrero 2.  Kasamang tinangay ang buong pamilya kabilang ang anak na buntis.  Inabandona ng mga suspek ang pamilya Hortillosa sa Brgy. San Jose Malino sa Mexico, Pampanga makalipas ang dalawang oras.  Ang sasakyan ay narecover sa Bacolor, Pampanga noong Pebrero 7.

* Dalawang kasama ni Kapitan John “Bong” Alvarez ng Brgy. Sta. Ines, San Miguel ang napatay sa tangkang pagpatay sa kapitan bandang alas-5:30 ng hapon noong Pebrero 6 sa Brgy. San Juan ng nasabig bayan. Nadaplisan sa kanang braso ang kapitan na naunang nagdeklara ng planong pagkandidato bilang alkalde ng San Miguel sa 2013. Tatlong pulis, kabilang ang close in bodyguard ni Mayor Roderick Tiongson ang dinakip at kinasuhan, ngunit itinanggi ng alkalde ang pagkakasangkot.  (basahin ang kaugnay na balita).

* Pinasok at pinagbabaril hanggang mapatay ng limang di kilalang suspek si Abogado Cornelio Cruz sa kanyang tanggapan sa Sapang Palay, Lungsod ng San Jose Del Monte bandang alas-11:30 ng tanghali noong Pebrero 15.

* Makalipas ang halos siyam na oras noong ding Pebrero 15, binaril at napatay naman sa Brgy. Poblacion, Pulilan ang 27-anyos na si Ronel Ramos.

*Kinabukasan, Pebrero 16, natagpuan sa loob ng kanyang inuupahang bahay ang bangkay ni Crisanto Tolentino, isang kawani ni Bise Mayor Bebong Gatchalian ng Malolos.  Dalawang kalalakihang may edad na na 23 anyos ang dinakip, at umaming pinukpok sa ulo at nilaslas ang leeg ng biktima.

* Noong Pebrero 17 ng gabi, iniulat na nawawala ang anim na taong gulang na si Nathania Ashley “Angel” Garcia na natagpuang patay sa likod ng isang abandonadong bahay sa Meadows Subdivision, Brgy. Caypombo, Sta. Maria noong Sabado ng umaga, Pebrero 18.  Dalawang kapitbahay ng biktima ang dinakip at kinasuhan. (Basahin ang kaugnay na balita).

* Sa bayan ng Balagtas, umabot sa halos P1-Milyong piso ang halaga ng mga alahas at salapi na natangay ng mga di kilalang suspek sa Resurreccion Pawnshop matapos maghukay ng lungga mula sa nirentahang TV repair shop.  Natuklasang ang pagnanakaw noong Lunes, Pebrero 20.

*Sa Malolos, apat na kalalakihan ang tumangay ng libo-libong pisong sa Pamana Cooperative sa Brgy. Matimbo noong Miyerkoles, Pebrero 22 bandang alas-11:30 ng umaga.

* Kinahapunan, hindi na umabot ng buhay sa pagamutan ang 14-anyos na si Jericho Fuellas, mag-aaral ng Marcelo H. Del Pilar National High School ng saksakin ng kamag-aral sa Building B, Room 228 ng nasabing paaralan noong bandang alas 4 ng hapon. Sinasabing bahagi ng gang war ang pagpaslang kay Fuellas, ngunit itinanggi ito ng pulis.

Ang mga nabanggit na mga kaso ay ilan lamang sa insidente ng krimininalidad na naitala ng Mabuhay sa loob ng halos isang buwan sa lalawigan ng Bulacan.

Ayon kay Mara Bautista, isa sa mga tagapayo nvg Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), ang mga nasabing insidente ang naghahatid ng maling mensahe di lamang sa mga negosyateng nais mamumuhanan sa lalawigan, kungdi maging sa mga kasalukuyang negosyante sa Bulacan.

Pinuntusan ni Bautista ang pagpapatupad ng kaayusan at katahimikan ng mga opisyal sa lalawigan ng kanyang sabihin na, “masayadong complacent and mga opisyal. We don’t even know their priorities.”

Dagdag pa ni Bautista, “a poorly managed economy with high unemployment and poverty ratio breeds social menace and maladies.  High criminality follows.”

Inayunan din ito ng ilang mamamayan sa Bulacan, partikular ng iba pang negosyante na nagsabing, ang kakulangan sa pagbabantay ng mga pulis sa mga kriminal ay nagsisilbing isang banta hindi lamang sa kanuilang hanap buhay kungdi sa seguridad nila at ng kanilang pamilya.

Binanggit nila na noong nakaraang taon ay hindi itinago ng mga Bulakenyo ang pangamba sa pamamayagpag ng Dominguez carjack group sa lalawigan kung saan ay sinabi nilang nangangamba silang lumabas ng bahay gamit ang kanilang mga sasakyan.

Ang pamamayagpag ng kaso ng insidente ng kriminalidad sa lalawigan noong nakaraang taon ay naging daan upang masibak sa tungkulin si Senior Supt. Fernando Villanueva bilang direktor ng pulisya sa lalawigan.

Siya ay pansamantalang hinalihan ni Chief Supt. Wendy Rosario na pinalitan naman ng kasalukuyang direktor ng pulisya sa lalawigan na si Senior Supt. Fernando Mendez.

Iginiit naman ni Abogado Ted Villanueva, ang pangulo ng Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) na dapat apurahin ng pulisya ang pagtugis sa mga kriminal upang matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga Bulakenyo.

Para kay Gob. Alvarado, ang insidente ng kriminalidad sa lalawigan ay nananatiling mababa kumpara sa katulad na panahon noong nakaraang taon.

“Nagkataon lang na nagkasunod-sunod,” ani Alvarado sa kanyang pahayag na isinahimpapawid sa kanyang lingguhang palatuntunan sa DWSS Radio noong Sabado, Pebrero 18.

Matatandaan na sa pagsisimula ng panunungkulan ni Alvarado noong 2012, sinabi niya na “I will put the house in order.”

Ipinangako rin niya ang mabutin pamamahala sa lalawigan na magbubunga ng katahimikan at kaayusan, na magsisilbing panghikayat sa mga negosyanteng nais mamuhunan sa lalawigan.

Para sa punong lalawigan, ang pagpasok ng mga dagdag na negosyante sa lalawigan ay magbubunga ng dagdag  na trabaho sa mga Bulakenyo at hindi na kaunlaran sa lalawigan.

DILG List of Barangay Captains--BUSTOS

Teens frolic at the Bustos Dam.

III BULACAN BUSTOS Bonga Mayor NEIL E GARCIA 0917-2075228
III BULACAN BUSTOS Bonga Menor DANILO R SANTOS 0916-6720056
III BULACAN BUSTOS Buisan EMILIO M DELA CRUZ 0921-5086617
III BULACAN BUSTOS Camachilihan SANTIAGO S MARIANO 0906-3000034
III BULACAN BUSTOS Cambaog LODRIGARIO A TIEMSEN 0927-8202452
III BULACAN BUSTOS Catacte ADRIANO C GUINTO 0926-6728818
III BULACAN BUSTOS Liciada MARTIN SJ ANGELES 0917-5424501
III BULACAN BUSTOS Malamig VIRGILIO S PAGLINAWAN 0908-7771738
III BULACAN BUSTOS Malawak ARSENIO M CASTRO JR. 0915-7099589
III BULACAN BUSTOS Poblacion EDWIN N DE GUZMAN 0923-6592800
III BULACAN BUSTOS San Pedro ENRIQUE G DE LEON 0927-5565611
III BULACAN BUSTOS Talampas ARMANDO A ORTEGA 0926-6109522
III BULACAN BUSTOS Tanawan FRANCIS ALBERT G JUAN 0922-8335951
III BULACAN BUSTOS Tibagan LAMBERTO M SANTOS 0927-2275895