DOST Rizal

: 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫

Tanay, Rizal — To sharpen the competitive edge of locally-made goods, Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across Rizal province recently underwent training on safe food handling and quality control.

The food safety awareness seminar last May 5 was a collaborative initiative between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Rizal and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Rizal. The seminar focused on bridging the gap between raw production and market-ready standards by equipping farmers with the tools to manage sanitation, allergens, and temperature control.

The seminar brought together representatives from six key agrarian reform cooperatives, signaling a province-wide push for better food standards: Silihan Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SARCO) of Angono; Corazon De Jesus Multi-Purpose Cooperative (CDJMPC) of Baras; Halang Agricultural Livelihood Association for Nurturing Growers Corporation (HALANG), Sipsipin Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SMPC), and Llano Farmers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (LFMPC) of Jalajala; and Sampaloc Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (SARBMPC) of Tanay.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) II, Mr. Raul M. Leonin, opened the event by stressing that food safety is not just a regulatory hurdle but also a foundation for community growth. The training objectives were discussed by ARPO I Mr. Richard Harold F. Mapula in terms of actionable steps for participants.

Expert insights were provided by Mr. Rjay M. Salabao of the DOST CALABARZON Food Safety Team, in which complex safety protocols were broken down into manageable practices, focusing on hazard identification, operational safety (hand hygiene, cross-contamination prevention, and storage protocols), and myth-busting, specifically the need for vigilance throughout the entire supply chain.

The seminar concluded with a clear message: food safety is a shared, continuous responsibility. By shifting the focus from simple farming to professional food processing, Rizal ARBs are better positioned to protect consumers and scale their local enterprise.

The partnership between DOST and DAR remains steadfast in empowering agrarian communities, ensuring that the food on Filipino tables is not only locally grown but meets the highest standards of safety and excellence.

: 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐒 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐃𝐋𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐉𝐌𝐏 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) Rizal entered into a strategic partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to deploy the first STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS) unit tailored specifically for a female dormitory through ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing, May 6.

Jail Chief Inspector Atty. Jessela L. Tariman of Antipolo City Jail Female Dormitory, welcomed the DOST personnel and highlighted how the digital library will serve as a vital tool for personal development and rehabilitation within the facility. On the other hand, Engr. Mhark Ellgine A. Libao, Officer-in-Charge of DOST PSTO Rizal, presented a briefer on the STARBOOKS system, emphasizing the different science and technology modules and instructional livelihood videos, expanding educational opportunities as part of the holistic rehabilitation process for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

To properly introduce the platform, a short audio-visual presentation on the history of STARBOOKS was played, followed by a presentation on the next steps for installation and user capacity-development training delivered by Ms. Arthea Marie M. Genova, STARBOOKS focal of PSTO Rizal. She also mentioned that even jail officers may utilize this technology for their advanced studies, and the livelihood technology and instructional videos may be used for the PDLs' activities. The initial deployment is set to benefit 72 female PDLs and 26 jail officers.

OIC Libao further highlighted the specific groups that will benefit from the deployment, noting that the kiosk will serve as a valuable educational resource for individuals studying under the Alternative Learning System (ALS), the children of PDLs, and those looking to develop new livelihood skills for their families.

Speaking on the broader vision of the initiative, former OIC Ms. Una Grace M. Dollete noted, "we want to remove the stigma of interacting with PDLs and be engaged with science and technology while ongoing their rehabilitation program." Through these digital resources, DOST aims to provide inclusive interventions for the marginalized sector, empowering institutionalized individuals to continue their personal growth.

: 𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓, 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠. 𝐀𝐜𝐨𝐩, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨'𝐬 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭

Batasan, Quezon City — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) CALABARZON, led by Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit, held a highly productive meeting with Congressman Philip Conrad "Dok B**g" M. Acop at the House of Representatives to discuss collaborative science, technology, and innovation (STI) interventions to uplift the communities in the 2nd District of Antipolo, April 29.

During the meeting, Director Bagsit discussed pending commitments made with the late former Congressman Romeo Acop regarding the 21st Century Learning Environment Model (CLEM) at the Antipolo City National Science and Technology High School (ACNSTHS).

Building on this discussion, the DOST team presented a comprehensive slate of science and technology interventions tailored to the needs of the district, including the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), Grants-in-Aid (GIA), Scholarship, STARBOOKS, VISSER, Lab-in-a-Box, and the SAFEWTRS programs.

A primary highlight of the collaborative discussion focused on education and youth empowerment through the expansion of the 21st CLEM and lab-in-a-box initiatives to other high schools across Antipolo.

In the area of sustainability and innovative technology, the two parties explored the deployment of atmospheric water generators. Congressman Acop also shared about ASHER, an innovative technology housed in The Medical City, that uses plasma pyrolysis for improving medical waste processing. Additionally, he expressed interest in the Biotek-M dengue diagnostic kits which are commercialized technology from previous research funded by DOST.

Finally, the meeting highlighted opportunities to advance local industry and agriculture through unique agro-industrial technologies. This includes exploring the conversion of saba banana trunks into banana beer and developing coconut ale. To support these ventures, the group proposed an upcoming benchmarking visit to the banana plantation in the Villa Socorro Farm in Laguna, and also to the Laguna University which houses the Natural Fiber and Textile Innovation Hub.

Joining Director Bagsit during these deliberations were OIC Engr. Mhark Ellgine A. Libao, Mr. R-jay M. Salabao, and Mr. Raphael San Antonio representing the DOST team. Congressman Acop was accompanied by his staff, Mr. Francis M. Javier and Ms. Lyn Ilagan.

Both the DOST and the Office of the Congressman expressed their excitement to push these initiatives forward and deliver science-based solutions directly to the people of Antipolo.

: ​𝐃𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Antipolo City, Rizal — Prioritizing the safety of its personnel and the integrity of its facilities, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Rizal has moved to strengthen its building safety protocols through a series of technical audits and emergency preparedness training.

​This initiative follows a comprehensive building infrastructure audit conducted last April 21 by Engr. Jenny Ann N. Lawas, Supervising Science Research Specialist of PSTO Laguna. The assessment served as the foundation for identifying key areas for facility improvement and ensuring compliance with national safety standards.

​To further bolster these efforts, PSTO Rizal collaborated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Antipolo City for a Fire Safety and Prevention Seminar on April 29. SFO2 Nathaniel P. Ladia, a registered Electrical Engineer, facilitated the session, which covered fire classifications, ignition sources, and the strategic importance of fire suppression systems in government infrastructure.

​The staff also engaged in a practical demonstration involving Dry Chemical and HCFC fire extinguishers, ensuring that the team is fully equipped to handle emergency equipment according to specific fire hazards.

​In line with the office's drive for official re-certification, SFO2 Ladia maximized his expertise by conducting a formal building inspection, validating the findings of the earlier infrastructure audit.

These dual assessments ensure that DOST Rizal remains a safe and secure hub for the delivery of scientific and technological services in the province.

𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞, 𝐦𝐲 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧... 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧!🧘‍♂️✨

​This May the 4th, DOST Rizal celebrates the 'Force' of innovation and discovery. Whether it's exploring the stars through our space tech programs or mastering the digital frontier with i4Rizal—our brand new signature webinar series, 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯—we are here to guide you.

​Get ready to harness the power of the 4th Industrial Revolution. May the Fourth S&T spirit be with you, Rizaleños! 🌌⚔️

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