DOST-CAR, partners brings S&T learning tools in all barangays of Atok thru Project Kajo

Published on: December 14, 2020

Project Kajo brings science and education closer to the people through the eight (8) units of computer units installed with Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Science and Technology Academic Research-based Openly Operated Kiosks Station (STARBOOKS) software and other offline educational resources were deployed to all barangays of Atok on December 4, 2020 at the Municipal gym, Sayangan and Barangay Hall of Naguey, Atok, Benguet, respectively.

The project Kajo (and Ibaloi term for care) was initiated by the Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) in partnership with the DOST-CAR through its Provincial Science and Technology (PSTC) in Benguet, Philippine Librarian Associations Incorporated in CAR Librarians Council (PLAI-CARLC), and the Municipal Local Government of Atok.

It benefitted the students, out of school youth, and all interested individuals in the community to learn, especially during this time of COVID-19 pandemic where going to school libraries and internet connection are among some of the challenges being faced by the learners.

The CCDC led donation drive to procure the computer units as well as various learning materials while the PLAI-CARLC provided offline resources and printed educational materials. The DOST-CAR installed the STARBOOKS, an offline S&T information resource and the Local Government Unit of Atok pushed and coordinated the establishment of learning hubs in the barangay level.

A memorandum of agreement was signed by all the said partners with the officials of the eight (8) barangays of Atok to solidify the project meant to establish said learning hubs in all barangays of the municipality.

"Through the partnership of all the stakeholders, the jigsaw puzzle was completed" DOST-CAR Director Nancy Bantog said in her message.

Dr. Bantog elaborated that each partner has contributed its piece to make the project complete, where the "framing" of the work now lies in the Barangay Local Government Units to reach the learners and fully maximize the resources provided.

Through the initiative of CCDC, there were various donors here and abroad, who donated to raise the needed funds for the computer units as well as printed learning materials.

"During this pandemic, we need to help and care for each other in facing our struggles. And one of our struggles is education. Let us not allow our children to be left behind”, said Dr. Sherry Junette Malaya-Tagle, CCDC President.

Meanwhile, a users' orientation and training on STARBOOKS were conducted by PSTC Benguet Provincial S&T Director Sheila Marie Singa-Claver and Mr. Rey Teofilo of DOST-CAR after the turn-over Ceremony.

With these, the Mayor of Atok, Hon. Raymundo Sarac and the barangay officials of the eight barangays also extended their gratitude for the collaborative project of CCDC, DOST-CAR and PLAI-CARC as well as the generosity of all donors.

DOST-CAR RSTL now ISO 17025:2017 accredited: maintains DOH compliance as drinking water testing laboratory

Date of Publication: December 11, 2020

The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) conducted virtually the first surveillance visit with special assessment of the Chemical and Microbiological Laboratory of DOST-CAR Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) on November 24 and 25, 2020. After a hectic two-day assessment, both laboratories successfully transitioned to the 2017 version of the PNS ISO/IEC 17025 (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories), the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories. 

The conduct of the assessment was to guarantee the continued competence of the management system and technical personnel and to ensure the laboratory's compliance with all the requirements of ISO 17025:2017. In addition to Jasmin A. Lee-Donaal and Aubrey Rose A. Gabriel as existing approved signatories, Erahem Medz S. Cabural and Renyoll Eden B. Glindo of the Chemical Laboratory were added to the list together with Florida D. Calaranan of the Shelf life laboratory. Furthermore, apart from retaining Jamie Beth B. Galian, Clarisa Angelli N. Lubrica, and Marvi Joy L. Balabag of the Microbiological Laboratory as existing approved signatories, a new scope parameter, Enterobacteriaceae count testing for food and a new method using Petrifilm for Staphylococcus aureus count, Yeast and Mold Count, and Salmonella detection, were likewise approved.

Meanwhile, the DOH - Regulations, Licensing, and Enforcement Division (RLED) conducted a table review of documents and records instead of the onsite monitoring for Chemical and Microbiological laboratories as drinking water testing laboratory. On October 16, 2020, RSTL submitted an accomplished Assessment Tool for Licensing for Drinking Water analysis, and after a series of evaluations on the submitted documents, the DOH- RLED on November 25, 2020 acknowledged RSTL as fully compliant with the minimum licensing requirement set for a laboratory for drinking analysis.

After a series of evaluations on the submitted documents, the DOH-RLED on November 25, 2020 acknowledged the RSTL as fully compliant with the minimum licensing requirement set for a laboratory for drinking water analysis.

To date, both the Chemical and Microbiological laboratories are DENR-EMB recognized to test water and wastewater and FDA recognized to test food samples on top of the 17025:2017 and DOH accreditation. Meanwhile, the Metrology laboratory of RSTL is 17025:2017 accredited and continues to offer calibration services. 

DOST-CAR lands 2nd Place in the 2020 DOST GAD Mainstreaming Awards

Published on: December 12, 2020

In recognition to its exemplary performance in Gender and Development (GAD) Mainstreaming this year, the Department of Science and Technology- Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) was awarded 2^nd place during the 2020 DOST GAD Mainstreaming Awards. This was conferred during the DOST Virtual Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by the DOST-National Academe for Science and Technology (NAST) on December 1, 2020.

The Philippine Commission on Women states that GAD Mainstreaming is a global strategy to ensure that government pursues gender equality in all aspects of the development process. This is to achieve the vision of a gender-responsive society where women and men equally contribute to and benefit from development. Among its goals is to enhance the relationship of men and women in their access to and control over resources, decision making, and benefits and rewards within a particular system.

In implementing the GAD Mainstreaming, an organization may progress through the following levels: Level 1: Foundation Formation; Level 2: Installation of Strategic Mechanisms; Level 3: GAD Application; Level 4: Commitment Enhancement and Institutionalization; and Level 5: Replication and Innovation.

The DOST-CAR has started its GAD Mainstreaming program in 2018. It is now on its Level 3 accreditation wherein GAD-related activities were already institutionalized in the agency. Part of its annual activities include the conduct of GAD awareness trainings and seminars for the staff, as well as to its clients and actively participating to GAD-Related activities within and outside the region. At present, it is now doubling its efforts towards achieving the next level of accreditation.