NRCP - SIARGAO FOR RAMSAR, PH WETLANDS OF NAT’L IMPORTANCE

It was 2016, almost 5 years ago, when the Philippines successfully listed Negros Occidental Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area as one of the seven (7) Philippine Wetlands of International Importance or Ramsar Sites in the world. It is the last of the listed Ramsar for the Philippines.

Today, the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the local government of Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, bid Siargao for Ramsar after it has recorded to be a home of 110 species of plants and 403 species of animals from the aquatic and terrestrial habitats through the project “Assessment, Inventory and Biological Field Surveys of Flora and Fauna of the Mangrove forests in Del Carmen, Siargao Island” funded by NRCP.

A virtual presser will be held on July 26, 2021 at 1:00 in the afternoon in conjunction with the webinar on the Mangrove Biodiversity of Del Carmen: A presentation of NRCP Projects. This is also in celebration of the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem on the same day. The presser is intended for the Philippine media to widely disseminate this initiative and for the council to intensify the local government’s bid for Siargao to become a Ramsar.

The resource persons of the presser include Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, NRCP President Gregorio E.H. del Pilar, NRCP Executive Director Marieta Bañez Sumagaysay, Del Carmen Mayor Proserfina “Baby” Matugas Coro, Del Carmen Vice Mayor Alfredo Matugas Coro II, and Siargao Project Team led by NRCP member Dr. Cecilia Banag Moran.

The very first Ramsar site of the Philippines was in 1994 when the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu was listed. Five years after, three (3) sites were listed in 1999 -  Naujan Lake National Park, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The next were the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. According to Article 2.2 of the Ramsar Convention, wetlands should be selected for the list of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology. There are nine criteria for identifying wetlands of international importance and Siargao is highly considered for Criterion 1, to wit, A wetland should be considered internationally important if it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region. The criteria can be accessed at https://ramsar.org

Likewise, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources website states that the Convention's mission is on the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.

In the webinar, NRCP will present the research results of Siargao Biodiversity Project, Assessment, Inventory and Biological Field Surveys of Flora and Fauna of the Mangrove forests in Del Carmen, Siargao Island”, on July 26, 2021, 9:00 AM via a webinar. The results of the study are inputs to LGU’s bid for Ramsar site.

The mangrove forests in Del Carmen will be on spotlight in this activity. Siargao Island, better known as the Surfing Capital of the Philippines, will show the megadiverse Del Carmen mangrove forest, as the study was able to record 19-mangrove species in the area. This is out of the 54-mangrove species in the world. With this, Del Carmen has 35.19% of the world mangrove species. It is notable to share that a remarkable record of new 90 species of marine flora were identified.

Project leader Dr. Moran will share the presentation titled, Spotlight Siargao: Diving into the Surfing Capital’s Better Kept Secret, Del Carmen’s Biodiversity! She will be joined by her team who will share the results of their component studies in flora and fauna. The team include, Dr. Anna Pauline O. de Guia (Mammals), Ms. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos (Amphibians), Dr. Arvin C. Diesmos (Reptiles), Mr. Perry Buenavente (Insects), Dr. Rosario Rubite (Flora), Dr. Mudjekeewis Santos (Marine Fishes), Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez (Birds), and Ms. Marivene M. Santos (Decapods Crustaceans).

With the rich diversity of Siargao, listing it for global importance should be considered for its conservation and sustainability. The presence of a threatened and endemic flora and fauna and possible new species, aside from the high diversity in the area is sufficient support for the Del Carmen Mangrove Forest to be listed under Ramsar for its long-term conservation and sustainable utilization. Both Del Carmen, Siargao Mayor Proserfina M. Coro and Vice Mayor Alfredo M. Coro III are actively pushing for the Ramsar listing and will present their plans and programs for the sustainable development of Del Carmen.

Participants will be able to dive into the best kept secret of Del Carmen through the webinar. NRCP welcomes everyone to join the activity, register at https://bit.ly/NRCPSiargaoBiodiversityWebinar-Register. The more people will discover the hidden beauty and treasures of Siargao, the more people will support the conservation of the area.

Participants of this webinar include Local Government Units of Del Carmen, Siargao, Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT), Wetlands International, Philippines Program, SIPLAS - PAMO / PAMB, DENR-BMB, House of Representatives for Natural Resources, and the Ecology, Senate Committee Chair for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, NRCP Members of Division V, VII, and XIII, DOST agencies, institutes, councils, offices.

How do you make your plate GLOW?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, glow means “to shine with”.

Because of the vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, a way to shine your plate is by adding more of these foods.

Adding these to your plate can also make your own health “glow”.

Fruits and vegetables or “glow” foods, in general, are rich in vitamins and minerals that can help strengthen the immune system.

Several published studies show that regular consumption of vegetables and fruits helps lower risks to cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, and bone fractures.

These are rich in fiber which helps in normal bowel movement, and in lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 

Thus, fruits and vegetables can help prevent lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Despite the proven health benefits of regularly eating recommended amounts of food from the Glow or body-regulating food group, remained low through the years.

Based on the National Nutrition Surveys (NNS) conducted by Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), household fruit consumption in the country declined from 54 grams in 2003 to only 34 grams in 2018-2019. 

Meanwhile, vegetables consumption slowly increased from 111 grams in 2003 to 127 grams in 2018-2019.

The Pinggang Pinoy and the Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by DOST-FNRI promotes the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables.

In the same way, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared 2021 as the international year of fruits and vegetables to raise awareness on their important role in improving human nutrition.

Regular consumption of fruits and vegetables for adults means eating one piece of medium size fruit or one slice of big fruits such as watermelon, papaya or pineapple and 1.5 cups of vegetables for male and one of cup vegetables for female in every meal. 

Here are some tips to achieve this:

Make sure in every meal half of your plate is composed of vegetables and fruits, with slightly more vegetables than fruits. Eat fruits and/or vegetables during snacks.

Drink fresh fruit juices.

Start a fruit and vegetable garden at home.

Parents should be a model to children in showing them that fruits and vegetables should be eaten regularly. 

The DOST-FNRI has several initiatives to help promote fruit and vegetable consumption. 

The DOST-FNRI has developed recipes utilizing indigenous vegetables. 

These recipes can be downloaded via the DOST-FNRI website, while the procedure of some recipes can be watched on the DOST-FNRI YouTube channel.

Educational games and puppet videos are also available to encourage vegetable consumption among children.

The DOST-FNRI has a model urban vegetable garden in its office known as Oh My Gulay (OMG)! sa FNRI to encourage vegetable gardening in offices.

With these initiatives, DOST-FNRI aims to help promote Glow foods.

Let your plates glow with fruits and vegetables daily!

Ligtas ba ang pagkaing pinadeliver mo?

 “Bumili ako ng pancit sa isang online food business. Ilang oras matapos namin itong kainin ay nagka-diarrhea ang pamilya ko”. 

Ito ang kuwento ni Anne na bumili ng pancit sa isang food business na nag-popost sa isang social media.

Katulad ka ba ni Anne? Mahilig ka din bang bumili sa mga online food business?

Ngayong panahon ng pandemya, madami ang nagtitinda ng mga pagkain online. 

Halos lahat na ng pagkain ay makikita online-- mula sa mga prutas, gulay, karne, mga ulam, kakanin at syempre, ang mga desserts tulad ng cakes.

Mahalagang maging mapanuri sa mga pagkaing binibili online. 

Dahil hindi nakikita, naaamoy o nahahawakan ang mga pagkain ng malapitan, walang paraan para masuri ang mga pagkain kung sariwa ito, lalo ang sa mga perishable food items gaya ng prutas, gulay at karne.

Sa mga lutong pagkain naman, hindi nakakasigurado kung malinis itong naihanda o kung gaano na ito katagal naluto bago i-deliver.

Ang pagkaing hindi na sariwa o panis na pagkain ay maaaring magdulot ng sakit. 

Kapag nagkasakit ay pwede magka-diarrhea, magsuka, sumakit ang tyan o lagnatin. 

Kapag bumibili ng pagkain online, narito ang ilang mga tips para makasigurong ligtas ito:

Makakasigurado sa kaligtasan ng pagkain kung bibili sa mga kilalang food businesses. Bago bumili, tingan sa online page kung mayroon ito business at health permits o humingi ng kopya nito kung wala makita sa online page.

Pagkatapos tanggapin ang delivery ng pagkain, siguraduhing maghugas ng kamay.

Maglaan ng lugar sa inyong bahay kung saan ilalagay ang mga pagkain na binili sa labas o online. 

Bago ipasok sa iyong kusina, ilipat sa malinis na lalagyan ang mga pagkaing binili.

Kapag bumili ng lutong pagkain, maaari itong lutuin o initin muli para makasigurado sa kaligtasan nito.

Kainin agad ang mga pagkaing binili online. Dalawang oras lamang dapat nagtatagal ang pagkain sa room temperature.

Para naman sa mga online food business owners, siguraduhin ang kaligtasan ng pagkaing inihahanda at ibebenta para sa mga customers. 

Ugaliin ang pagsunod ng standard food safety practices, gaya ng paghuhugas ng kamay, pagusuot ng face mask, hairnet at apron, paggamit lamang ng mga sariwang sangkap at paglilinis ng mga kagamitan na ginagamit sa pagluluto.

Ang Department of Science and Technology- Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) ay nagsasagawa ng mga webinars o online trainings para sa mga food business owners na nais matuto sa mga wastong food safety practices lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya.

Importante na ang pagkaing inihahanda ay hindi lamang masustansya kundi ligtas din.

Iwasan ang magkasakit sa panahon ng pandemya. Siguraduhing ligtas at masustansya ang pagkaing kinakain.

US Chief Presidential Medical Adviser Fauci lauds Philippines’ work in biomedical research, calls for government support for R&D

MANILA– Dr Anthony Fauci, the Director of The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Chief Medical Adviser to President Joe Biden on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 , lauded Filipino scientists for their work in the global advance of biomedical research.  Dr. Fauci, an American physician-scientist and immunologist, gave this remark during the 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting held by the Department of Science and Technology - National Academy of Science and Technology (DOST-NAST).   

In his keynote speech, Dr. Fauci commended the collaborative research done over the years between the Philippines and NIAID funded programs focusing on human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and tuberculosis co-infections.  He cited the participation of the Philippines in multi-country networks which helped ensure Filipino scientists to be part of the core contributors in advancing biomedical discoveries that have made AIDS a preventable chronic disease.  

“Filipino scientists have helped lead the way in the studies of tuberculosis—particularly multi-drug resistance TB.  The work in the Regional Prospective Observational Research on Tuberculosis  network has been especially important and promising,” related Dr. Fauci.  “With continuing support from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, the Philippines is sure to make significant contributions to the global fight against TB.”  

Dr. Fauci also highlighted the key role of Philippine institutions in infectious diseases research in dengue, malaria and other infectious pathogens. In particular, he  lauded the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine that receive NIAID funding in the past  as a center of excellence in research in tropical medicine.  

“Hopefully, this institution and others will continue to receive Philippine government support so that they will remain competitive for both funding and talent,” shared Dr. Fauci.   “Given its track record, I also can foresee great value in the Philippines expanding its scientific leadership role in the Asia Pacific region.

The Philippines, through the DOST is set to be a co-host in the upcoming 2022 Emerging Infectious Diseases of the Pacific Rim conference along with the US NIH and  Japan’s Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).  The event is expected to strengthen the long-standing global scientific partnership and highlight the continuing commitment of the Philippines to the research enterprise worldwide.  

The DOST-NAST Annual Scientific Meeting is the premier gathering of the Philippine science community. Public- and private-sector institutions and stakeholders convene to formulate science-based recommendations for the President and Cabinet members.   For this year’s Annual Scientific Meeting with the theme: Covid19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next, the NAST aims to identifyt he existing gaps and problems in health care delivery and health infrastructure that  are critical in the development and implementation of strategic programs to confront the pandemic . The global crisis has   affected all of the countries of the world, impacting on all sectors  of society and global, regional and global recovery can only be possible with a whole of society approach and accelerated through collaborations and partnerships of countries, in solidarity. 

Israel-Philippines Conclude 1st JCM on Science and Technology

The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) of Israel and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines virtually held the 1st Philippines-Israel Joint Committee Meeting on Innovation, Science, and Technology on 30 June 2021 to discuss and agree on the priorities and specifics of the collaboration.

 

MOST Chief Scientist Avi Domb expressed his excitement in pushing through the collaboration with the Philippines. He also wished that the two countries will have long-term cooperation and will continue to discuss and prioritize the areas. Artificial Intelligence (Robotics), Agriculture (Water Management), and Health (Biomedical Engineering and Drug Discovery) are the initially identified topics.

 

DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina Guevara conveyed her appreciation that the meeting is convened to discuss joint activities to be pursued under the umbrella of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Scientific Cooperation signed on 03 September 2018. Undersecretary Guevara also emphasized that Israel is a valuable and priority partner for the DOST and hoped that the partnership will be fruitful and will benefit the people.

 

At the end of the meeting, the Philippines expressed its intention to send experts to Israel for training on drip irrigation systems, biomedical engineering and drug discovery, medicinal chemistry, among others. They also discussed joint development of AI applications for government or public service and emergency response. Both sides agreed to continue discussions on potential and priority areas of cooperation between Israel and the Philippines.

 

In attendance to the 1st JCM are the delegation from MOST headed by Prof. Avi Domb - Chief Scientist; Philippine delegation from DOST headed by Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara - Undersecretary for R&D; Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv headed by Philippine Ambassador to Israel H.E. Macairog Alberto; representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Pnina El-Al - Director, Culture, Education and Academic Cooperation Department; and Israel Embassy in the Philippines headed by Mr. Nir Balzam, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

Visited Godel & Vesmach where I've tasted the best chocolate delicacies!

Ever wonder why we love chocolate? because cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, causes the brain to release these ”feel good” chemicals, called endorphins, it interacts with the receptors in our brain that reduce the perception of pain, and can help trigger a positive feeling in the body.

Ive always have this love for chocolate, having to search for diferent brands online or offline, that which will suit my kind of taste, have tasted alot of already, but only few, i' would say, passed my choice of taste. 

Thus i was grarteful, when i got invited to join the Godel Chocolate & Vesmach Company tour. Got me excited, since its about chocolate, which i'm so fond of.

The company staff was so nice, they greeted warmly, and toured us to their 26 years old estaishement. 

https://www.youtube.com/godelchocolate

First, we went to the building where their chocolate is being processed. Step by step, we learned how tedious and meticulously this chocolate have to passed through to come up to its delicate end product.

After that, we went to vesmach, where we were shown thier complete line if cooking, baking materials from oven to utensils, name it they have it. Its a state of the art brands they're ve toured us there. 

Having been in this field of industry for quite long now, they dont stop in improving their craft. 

What a joyful experience to have visited this company! 

If you wanted to see their products and technologies, you may visit or contact them thru their websites here

http://www.vesmach.com/

TekNegoShow Special Edition to Launch this July 8!

DOST-ITDI will be launching the TekNegoShow Special Edition on July 8, 2021 at 9:00 in the morning with a LIVE opening ceremony,  broadcast of its pre-recorded first episode, and virtual presser to be held via the Zoom Meeting platform.

 

With the Special Edition of ITDI’s online business talk show, DOST-ITDI Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones expresses her hopes of more businesses getting interested in adopting ITDI-developed technologies and availing themselves of its various testing services. 

 

DOST-ITDI’s Technological Services Division, through its Information and Documentation produces the online science-business talk show which broadcasted its maiden episode on October 22, 2020.  Originally airing for one season or 13 episodes, the Special Edition, however will feature four technologies and two newly-opened research facilities geared toward augmenting business-coping mechanisms of industries to the current COVID-19 crisis. 

 

To ensure content substance, TekNegoShow Special Edition will air narratives and insights of technology generators, business people, and the consuming public. This way ITDI can provide the public virtual experience of the technology and a way to interact with technology generators and companies that have adopted these or made use of the facilities.

 

Invited to the opening ceremony are personalities with known interests in industrial technology and prospective technology adopters on:

1. I- Salt processing technology;

2. Abaca fiber-reinforced composite;

3. Nanoclay production;

4. Biodegradable plastic;

5. Multi-Industry Modular Innovation Center or MMIC; and

6. Development of Multiple Materials Platform for Additive Manufacturing Project or MATDEV-AMCen.

 

Guests from the Regional Offices and  partner companies, DOST agencies, media friends, and associates are expected to attend the launching. 

 

DOST-ITDI will broadcast six episodes beginning July 8 with a weekly Thursday afternoon (1:30) show date via Facebook TekNegoShow and Youtube ITDI DOST.

By: AMGuevarra\\ ITDI S&T Media Service