DOST grants post-graduate scholarship program

LEGAZPI CITY, Mar 15 (PIA) - The Department of Science and Technology grants new scholarship program for masteral and doctorate degrees in Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) and Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRDP).

ERDT program aims to deliver high-impact research aligned with the National Science and Technology Plan (NSTP) and the Medium-Term Development Program (MTDP).

ASTHRDP on the other hand aims to improve the country’s global competitiveness and to produce high-level human resources needed for research and development in Science and Technology.

The priority fields of study for the said program are Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Pure and Applied Mathematics and Health and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

According to Dr. Pilita Lucena, DOST information officer, the program is open to Filipino citizens aging 45 years and below. Needed requirements are curriculum vitae, photocopy of Official Transcript of Record, recommendation letter from the school attended and original copy of NBI clearance and NSO birth certificate. Participants with existing scholarship grant are disqualified from the said program.

Also included in the scholarship grant are P5, 000 book allowance per semester, P30, 000 dissertation grant for master’s and P60, 000 for doctorate degree.

Deadline of application for the first semester is on April 16, 2012 and September 2 this year for the second semester. (MAL/SAA-PIA V/Albay)


DPWH V to expedite project completion in Albay

LEGAZPI CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- Director Danilo E. Dequito of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) regional office here has ordered the immediate completion of the repair and rehabilitation of Busay-Bongalon river control project in Daraga, Albay.

The order came after flooding remains in Daang Maharlika (DM), along Culliat Section despite the ongoing river control project as water from Busay-Bongalon river flows directly on the said section whenever continuous rains occur.

According to Dequito, P8 million was programmed for the initial construction of a 40 ln.m. dike with steel sheet pile foundation which was completed on October 10, 2011. However, right after its completion, incessant heavy rains followed bringing about severe damages on the existing dike, thus P20 million was again requested from DPWH Central Office and then before end of last year, said amount was released to Albay 2nd District Engineering Office (DEO).

The additional amount is intended to cover the construction of 80 linear meter concrete dike and lower the rock formation of Busay Falls by 2.5 meters and widen its river bed by 14.0 meters.

“We already have significant accomplishment however, last February 2, 2012, unpredictable volume of water damaged the stock piled embankment that diverted the flow of water towards DM,” said Albay 2nd District Engineer Walter Lubiano.

“Nevertheless, the steel sheet piles remained intact restraining the excessive water flow, hence, the road remained passable to all types of vehicles,” he added.

In addition to the mentioned projects, some P5 million was also released for the rehabilitation of DM Culliat whose pavement was heavily damaged due to the frequent inundation particularly during the last quarter of last year and early part of this year.

“Included in this funding is the construction of a 3 x 3-meter box culvert and a detour road will be installed just beside the section to be rehabilitated,” said DE Lubiano. “However, the initial work done on the detour was also washed out by the flash flood,” he continued.

Nevertheless, Lubiano assured the public that concerted efforts will be done, including round the clock work particularly during good weather condition, to finish the project before end of April 2012. (MAL/LVC, DPWH V)