DOST turns over P250,000 to coco farmers group for VCO prod'n
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) here turned over a check worth P250,000 to Barangay Liptong Small Coconut Farmers Association (BLISCOFA) recently at DOST office, this city.
BLISCOFA board of director chair Saturnino Santos, Jr. received the check assistance from DOST Provincial Director Gilbert Arbon for the technological upgrading of the firm’s Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) production.
BLISCOFA has been using a traditional method of coconut milk extraction that is not so efficient, using manually-operated mechanical press, prompting the organization to seek the assistance of DOST through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).
The SETUP allows the VCO producers to acquire a motorized screw-type press coconut milk extractor to improve the processing technique of producing the oil.
The equipment is obtained through a three-year lease-to-own agreement with zero interest.
BLISCOFA was founded in 2005 as a registered community-based rural organization and is formed for the purpose of improving the socio-economic situation of coconut farmers in the town of Valencia, Negros Oriental.
It is composed of about 130 members, including more than 80 small farm holders.
The association first ventured into VCO production with substantial support from various entities, including the local government unit of Valencia, the US Peace Corps, Philippine Coconut Authority, and Department of Agrarian Reform, among others.
Later on, the organization diversified into the manufacturing of fashion accessories derived from coconut shells, vinegar and virgin coconut oil production.
According to DOST Information Officer Roslyn Tambago, the DOST-SETUP enables firms, associations and/or organizations to address their technical problems.
“This is through technology transfer and technological interventions to improve productivity through better product quality, human resources development, cost minimization and waste management, and other operation related activities,” Tambago said.
The DOST is encouraging organizations who wish to avail of their program for funding assistance to visit and contact DOST Negros Oriental Provincial S & T Center located in Daro, Dumaguete City with tel. nos. 225-4551/422-2300. (rmn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
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Dumaguete City Tourism limits number of mobile passport applicants
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) --- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has allowed the Dumaguete City Tourism Office to accept only 700 applications for the mobile passporting activity scheduled in May this year.
City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said his office has stopped receiving applications after it has reached the maximum number of applicants.
The city tourism office here was flooded with applications for DFA's mobile passport services since the first week of March.
Maquiling said his office would like to cater to more applicants but they have already exceeded the quota alloted by DFA for Dumaguete.
"We have already closed the reservation and application because we already have reached the limit, and hopefully the public will understand,’’ Maquiling said.
He added that the City Tourism was overwhelmed with the number of applicants that poured in as it was beyond their expectations.
With a normal fee of P1,200 set by DFA, the mobile passport activity is one of its most sought-after services as applicants would no longer have to travel to Bacolod or Cebu to process their applications.
The mobile passporting is scheduled on May 5 and 6 at Robinson’s Place, Calindagan, Dumaguete City.
However, applicants who are no longer accepted but with complete documents may still go to Robinson's during the passporting for a chance to land in the wait list as soon as there is still time for the DFA to process their applications.
The DFA is also eyeing to hold a satellite office at Robinson's Place in Dumaguete to cater to Negros Oriental applicants.
This is the fourth mobile passporting activity in Dumaguete city. Since 2009, more than 2,000 passports were released and serviced already, Maquiling said. (RMN/JCT-PIA Negros Oriental)
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National micro-entrepreneurs convention inspires RAFI clients
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- After attending a national micro-entrepreneurs convention recently, three clients of a Cebu-based foundation became invigorated and more determined to improve their business.
Salome Cabido, Elvira Pantaleon and Zenaida Nunez are clients of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. Micro-finance (RAFI Microfinance) from Cebu who were selected by the foundation to attend the ME Naman Micro-Entrepreneurs Convention in Metro Manila in February this year.
“I learned a lot about marketing strategies, especially since there were a lot of invited speakers with successful businesses,” Nunez from Ormoc Branch said.
Nuñez is engaged in motorcycle and spare parts distribution in Ormoc City. After attending the convention, she now plans to expand her business by opening two additional branches.
She was oriented on the importance of business analysis on costs, labor and operations for market-appropriate product pricing.
The convention, which was sponsored by the PinoyME Foundation, also inspired Cabido from Liloan, Cebu, who is into manufacturing, to venture into other types of businesses.
“The quality of products, on-time delivery of orders, and application of technology are some of the learnings I have,” she said. She is now seeking assistance in her plans to expand her business.
On the other hand, Pantaleon from Bogo who is into trading, wholesaling and distributing general merchandise, has been eyeing to open a mini-gasoline station in her hometown of Medellin, Cebu.
Fortunately, one of the speakers during the convention was from a leading oil company in the country who gave a presentation on how to franchise. “I learned about marketing and simple accounting that further developed my management skills,” she said.
The three RAFI clients are just among the more than 80 microentrepreneurs from across the country who were inspired to strengthen their business practices during the PinoyME convention.
The PinoyME Foundation is a non-stock, non-profit organization that serves as a social investment banker for microfinance institutions (MFIs) in the Philippines. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from RAFI)
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28 NegOr high school students pass DOST-SEI scholarship exam
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- Twenty-eight high school graduates in Negros Oriental passed the scholarship exam of the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) for June 2012 school year.
According to DOST Information Officer Roslyn Tambago the passers are qualified as scholars to science and technology under the RA 7687, a scholarship program for talented and deserving students belonging to economically disadvantaged families.
DoST-SEI scholars under the RA 7687 will receive tuition fee subsidy and other school fees, book allowance, monthly living allowance for 10-11 month duration.
The following qualifiers comprise of 8.5 percent of the 330 students in Negros Oriental who took the exam at Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) on November 20, 2011:
Kurt Harem Adalid and Christ John Cabanag of Bais City National High School; Jemar Catubig, Ken Naquimen, Joyce Mae Pino and Joshua Soldivillo of Negros Oriental High School; Maeben Mariah Angay, Krystal April Joy Curso, Arean Fel Dorio and Caress Tayo of Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial High School; Adrian Dela Cruz and Joven Jalbuana, Bayawan National High school; Arnel Buensalida of Kalumboyan National High School; Marne Alberto, The Sisters of Mary Boystown and Girlstown; Nokki John Bayot of Pamplona National High School;
From Valencia National High School, Agnes Tabarcon and Ralph Viente; John Paul Cadalso of Mabinay Science High School; Divien Grace Dael, Guihulngan National High School; Mark Joseph Domocol, Pantao National High School; Aaron Paul Gloria, Santiago Delmo National High School; Hikaru Kanazawa, Deco Carmel Academy; Monroe Obera, San Miguel National High School; Charles Jon Michael Pajaron, Sitaon Science National High School; Jay-Ar Rosano, Junob National High School; Omar Soberano, Mabinay Science High School; John Anthony Trazona, San Jose Provincial High School; and Carl Adrian Velasco of Taclobo National High School.
Qualifiers who accept the scholarship awards will take up baccalaureate degree courses in the fields of Science, Mathematics and Engineering.
As DOST scholars, they will receive tuition subsidies and allowances for books, school uniform, and transportation, and other privileges, said Tambago
The above qualifiers will have an orientation seminar on April 30, at 8:00 am at the DOST-Negros Oriental Provincial Science & Technology Center in Daro, Dumaguete City. (mbcn/JCT/PIA-Negros Oriental)
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Visayas-leg of traveling exhibit on Spanish-era churches launched in Cebu
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, April 18 (PIA) -- The Visayan leg of a traveling exhibit on Spanish-era Churches of the Philippines was launched on April 18 at the Cathedral Museum of Cebu.
The exhibit dubbed “Hidden Treasures: An Exhibit of Spanish-era Churches of the Philippines” was conceived by the Ortigas Foundation to inspire pride in the Filipinos’ cultural heritage.
The exhibit’s arrival in Cebu and Bohol provinces is hosted by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) in partnership with the Archdiocese of Cebu through its Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church.
Rafael Ortigas, Jr. started the project of documenting Spanish-era churches in the Philippines.
The project is still ongoing and the exhibit features only a selection of over 300 colonial churches he and his team have documented so far, said a press statement from RAFI.
Betty Lalana, one of the photographers who documented the churches featured in the exhibit, gave a talk at the opening program of the launching. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)