DOST, local planters federation partner for NOAH

By Analiza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, March 5 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology in Bicol Region (DOST-5) and the Libmanan Pulantuna Planters Federation, Inc. (LPPFI) recently inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) in support of the implementation of the project, “Development of Hybrid Weather Monitoring System and Production of Weather and Rain Automated Stations.”

The project is the main component of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards, popularly called Project NOAH.

The partnership is in line with government’s campaign for a “zero” casualty during times of calamity and occurrences of disaster, said Agustin III Z. Villadares, LPPFI president and chief executive officer.

The agreement will bind DOST and LPPFI to a commitment of supporting the establishment and operation of the weather instrument and equipment critical in establishing accurate data on real-time weather situation prevailing in the locality. The accuracy of these readings will mean saving more lives and less damage to the community’s property.

“A prepared and knowledge-equipped community will always rise up after every calamity. Our primordial concern is the safety of our loved ones and the community and lesser, if no damage at all to our properties and sources of livelihood – we can beat disaster with preparedness,” Villadares said in an interview.

Stipulated in the MOA is DOST’s prime obligation of implementing the project, in coordination with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and to facilitate and coordinate the identification of appropriate site for the automated rain gauges (ARG) and Automated Water Level Monitoring Stations (AWLMS), including its installation in agreed sites in Camarines Sur.

The LPPFI on the other hand, will facilitate the conduct of Information Educational Campaign (EIC) in the province on Project NOAH and help in the interpretation of data generated by the weather monitoring stations during the conduct of community-based trainings and meetings within their coverage area.

Villadares also assured its partner that they will enhance the stakeholders’ capacity by instituting related trainings among their members. In fact, he said, the Computer Literacy Project is already in place.

“This literacy project in computer which operates TESDA-accredited training facility known as Agricultural Extension Computer Education Laboratory or A-ExCEL is a basic computer education designed to teach farm families on the use of computer. In this current world, we need to update them with the latest innovation so that they too, will be competitive in the market place,” Villadares added.

The partnership is expected to lessen if not totally eliminate the devastating impact of any calamity in the future. (LSM-PIA 5, Camarines Sur)

Bicol U opens reg'l laboratory center in Bicol

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, March 5 (PIA) -- Bicol University (BU) launched the Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (HGST) Regional Laboratory Center, first and the only one in the Bicol Region at the BU East Campus, Friday, March 1.

Dr. Fay Lauraya, university president, said it is a momentous event for the university and the region to be the recipient of HGST, a western digital company engaged in communications and nano-technology, not just in providing employment but more so in attaining world quality education.

“Our graduates and on-the-job trainees employed in international companies such as the HGST is a proof that BU meets global standards. We greatly appreciate the efforts of HGST to help us attain our aim to be globally competitive by providing quality education,” Lauraya said.

Lauraya also mentioned the Asean Community in 2015 wherein graduates from the 10 Asean country members including the Philippines will be opening job opportunities to graduates from other countries.

“With the coming of the Asean Community in 2015, we have to prepare our graduates to be globally competitive through quality education. We have to create a mark for BU to be recognized internationally and this partnership with HGST as a global company is one way for us to do it,” Lauraya said.

HGST, in partnership with the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has been recruiting graduates and on-the job trainees from the Philippines since 1994. Currently, 281 of its employees are from Albay and 177 are from Bicol University.

Among the state of the art equipment donated for research and study in the region particularly on engineering and robotics technology are DPC machines for micro level scanning, wire bonding equipment for connection of ultra small circuits, microscopes and components of various electric machines for hands-on study particularly of students.

These facilities said HGST Philippines president and general manager Dr. Chandramogan Anamirtham will be open for technical services, research and other activities to promote innovation especially among students.

He also expressed his gratitude for producing graduates employed at HGST who are now managers in various departments of the company and are now partners of the company in attaining its goals.

He added that 70 percent of their engineering jobs were transferred in the Philippines through Filipino graduates.

The said lab center in BU is the ninth regional center established by the HGST in the country in partnership with the CHED and BU.

With BU as the host institution of regional research, the BU president assured that the center will be open not only to BU students and faculty but also to other researchers and prospects for study and innovation in the region. (MAL/SAA–PIA5, Albay)


BFP Pilar bares January 2013 accomplishments

By Benilda A. Recebido

PILAR, Sorsogon, March 5 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire of the Philippines (BFP) municipal station here disclosed anew achievements in support of the present administration’s agenda of promoting transparency in governance.

Pilar Municipal Fire Marshall Insp. Eric Caramoan said that Troop Information & Education (TI & E) Program commenced their 2013 activities which he spearheaded together with his station personnel.

“We prioritize our plans and activities for the whole year, assignments were given to each personnel in the station to ascertain effectiveness in their performance. They were likewise updated on the latest information at the bureau to make sure that plans and priorities were in line with our mandates,” he stated.

Fire Marshall Caramoan also reported that on the first week of January 2013, Fire Safety Inspectors of Pilar Fire Station collaborated with the LGU-Pilar in its implementation of the Business-One-Stop-Shop held at the Bonifacio Park which lasted for two weeks. This led to an intensified inspection and collection of fees from the applicants securing and or renewing business permits for their establishments.

Fire and earthquake drills were conducted in Pilar I Central School and Marifosque Elementary School on January 25 and January 30, respectively.

Students were also taught disaster management and basic life Ssupport (BLS). SP01 Dennis T. Chan discussed on fire prevention and safety while the use of a fire extinguisher was demonstrated to the pupils by FO Glenn Molleda.

“Briefing on the scenario to the participants was given during the morning session. Fire and earthquake drill was done in the afternoon. Despite of some behavioral problems of students during the drill, activity was performed and carried out successfully,” Insp. Caramoan said.

On January 26 personnel of Pilar Fire Station, as per the invitation of Southern Luzon Technological College, once again shared knowledge and imparted their expertise to their college students. Topics specifically discussed include fire prevention and fire safety as well as carries and bandaging. Evaluation was carried out after the demonstration.

“These activities are but a parcel of our continuing effort to advocate the mandated tasks of the Bureau of Fire Protection in informing the public about fire safety and preparedness,” he further said.

Meanwhile, fire personnel in their respective areas across the province conducted a Unity Walk for their kick-ceremony on March 1 in observance of the Fire Prevention Month this March.

This year’s theme is “Sunog at Sakuna ay Paghandaan, Kalikasan ay Pangalagaan ng Matamasa ang Pag-unlad ng Bayan.” (BAR-PIA 5, Sorsogon)