TACLOBAN CITY– The provincial office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Eastern Samar has turned over five boxes of multi-purpose grain solar speed drying trays, (known as portasol) to the Malaintos Organic Rice Association of Farmers (MORFA) in Dolores town on Friday(April 26).

MORFA is known in the community for the production of indigenous rice-based products such as pop rice, rice pinyato, rice puto, rice salukara, and others.

The portasol will be a huge help to the post-harvest capacity, improve the storage process of raw material, and additional processing equipment to their newly constructed production facility provided by the municipal government of Dolores and by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

According to the DOST, the portasol drying trays, an innovation of a Filipino inventor, are designed to be used in the production of various types of ‘grain-based’ agricultural products, using solar energy. This technology has helped improve the quality of agricultural products and reduce post-harvest losses.

Efren Lazara, MORFA president, expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the DOST.

The said initiative is a demonstration of DOST’s commitment to empowering local farmers to develop innovative methods of farming and livelihood opportunities.
(MIYLENE C. CATUBAY, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY-The provincial government of Northern Samar are now in the midst of preparation for its 59th founding anniversary on June 19.

Some of the major events and activities lined up for the month-long celebration include the Mutya san Ibabao 2024, showcasing the true essence of the Ibabaonon beauty and substance; festival dance competition, to showcase performances that represent the distinct essence of each municipality; and the 2nd Agri-Tourism, to display the produce of the local farmers in the province.

Asia’s Popstar Royalty, Sarah Geronimo and her husband, Matteo Guidicelli, are one of the most awaited celebrities that will grace the event.

The celebration will start on May 19, 2024.
(MAVEL ANGEL J.GOMBA, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) here in the region has mobilized a movement, ‘Planet vs. Plastics’ as part of the Earth Day Eco-Bazaar held on April 22.

The initiative was aimed to empower people on plastic usage and promote knowledge-based advocacies.

Among the activities include the upcycling demonstration, seedling distribution, one-on-one consultation, selling of organic and local products, spoken word poetry, and Earth jam.

“This is a great initiative for Taclobanons or the local people in general because those people who are fond of using plastics will have enough knowledge about its effects to themselves and our surroundings,” one of the participants said.

“For sure, as many of us may know, the city of Tacloban now promotes the campaign of lessening the use of plastic and cellophane particularly in local businesses – big or small so, it’s a step already. A step in making a positive impact”, he added.
(JANUS CAMILLE A. BERDAN, LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY– The municipal blood council (MBC) of Bato, Leyte successfully hosted its 5th mass blood donation activity on April 19 held in Barangay Alegria.

A total of 87 bags of blood were collected through the cooperation of the rural health unit (RHU) of Bato and the Philippine Red Cross Southern Leyte Chapter.

About t 241 bags of blood have been collected by the RHU in the last four months.

The MBC expressed its gratitude to the residents of Barangays Alegria, Amagos, San Agustin, Mercelo, and Domagocdoc who participated in the mass blood donation.
(ALYSSA G.PLANA, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)

TACLOBAN CITY– A female cadet from Calbiga, Samar was among this year’s top graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) Layag-Diwa Class of 2024 which held its graduation last April 19.

Brenna Mae Stephanie Nacional ranked seventh among this year’s graduates. The class top notcher, Ma. Camille Cabasis, is from the province of Batangas.

A total of 222 cadets graduated this year with 197 of them will be joining the Philippine National Police, 13 at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology while the remaining 12 will help boost the personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection.

(NICOLE A. FARNOGA, EASTERN SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT INTERN)