Government steps up fight against dengue in public schools

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Published: 17 June 2014

To reduce dengue incidence in public schools, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Ilocos and the Department of Education (DepEd) partnered in distributing OvicidalLarvicidal (OL) Trap kits in selected schools in the region.

Edwin M. Dilim, project assistant, said OL trap is a device composed of a strip of lawanit board immersed in a black-colored plastic tumbler with larvicide solution.  “Mosquito eggs exposed in the solution die thus mosquito population is reduced,” Dilim said.

The system, developed by DOST’s Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) in cooperation with the DOST-Philippine Council for Health Research, is highly designed to attract the Aedesegypti mosquitos, the carrier of the dengue virus.

In Region I, the DOST and DepEd have already distributed a total of 2,895 OL trap kits to 2,387 and 508 elementary and secondary public schools, respectively.  Kits distributed are as follows: La Union, 418; Pangasinan, 1, 482; Ilocos Sur, 558; Ilocos Norte, 437.

“Each classroom gets two kits and a supply of the solution good for three months,” said Dilim. Distribution started September 2013 and completed in March this year.  The DOST now maintains the Nationwide Dengue Vector Surveillance Website where efficiency of the kits is monitored through reports via text messages. “Science teachers, clinic teachers or school nurses are in-charge of monitoring and reporting the number of OL Kits with positive and negative presence of mosquito eggs,” Dilim said.

Reports are reflected in the website. Once the school registered high incidents of positive mosquito eggs, necessary actions will be taken immediately. Dilim hopes the public to see that there is a technology that works in the reduction of dengue vector.

“This local technology indeed is proven effective and we hope that with accurate monitoring, the fatal dengue disease which usually strikes children will be prevented,” Dilim said. (MCA/JNP/PIA-1 La Union)

A Taste of College Life

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Published: 17 June 2014

The Department of Science and Technology Region 1 organized an educational and fun summer experience for fifty seven (57) incoming RA 7687 scholars thru the Summer Orientation and Enrichment Program (SOEP) at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-North La Union Campus held on May 7-June 3, 2014. 

It is a month-long program for incoming RA 7687 freshman scholars with two main components, namely:

Refresher Courses in English, Math and Physics;Study Management Seminar-Workshops: Coping with College Life, Stress Management, Time Management/Priority Setting, Study Improvement Skills and Learning Styles. The program aims to equip the scholars with the needed educational background and values which may help them in facing the challenges that may come their way during their college life. It helps them to access and enhance their intellectual potentials and psychosocial skills for them to attain academic leadership and excellence.

The program was also designed in a way that it will be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for the scholars. Diverse range of activities was devised by their competent instructors who were:

  • Dr. Gil F. Dela Vega – Trigonometry & Analytic Geometry;
  • Dr. Mario B. Mendoza – College Algebra;
  • Engr. Pablo D. Gurtiza – Physics;
  • Dr. Brillo Paje – Phychosocial Skills; and
  • Ms. Grace Nisperos – English.

During the SOEP, the scholars stayed at the DMMMSU dormitory, as such they were able to live on their own and experience life without their parents/guardian. As the program ended, it is fulfilling to hear the scholars remarked, “We are now ready for College!”.

All participants were enrolled in Higher Education Institutes in Region 1 recognized under the DOST Undergraduate Scholarship Program. (KATRINA MARIE P. APAYYO, Project Assistant III)

2015 DOST Undergraduate Scholarship Program

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Published: 17 June 2014

The yearly application for Undergraduate Scholarship Programs implemented by the Department of Science and Technology thru the Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is now open.

 

The scholarship is open to talented and deserving students who wish to pursue 4-5 year courses in priority Science & Technology fields. There are two program categories, the RA 7687 Scholarships and Merit Scholarships that both aim to produce and develop high quality human resources who will help in the realization of the Science and Technology (S&T) and Research Development (R&D) goals of our country. Qualified applicants for the scholarship programs are secondary senior students and high school graduates who have not undertaken any college units.

 

Application form and scholarship brochures can be obtained in all DOST and Provincial Offices. Forms can also be downloaded at http://science-scholarships.ph. Last day for filing of application forms is on 22 August 2014 (Friday). The scholarship examination will be on 21 September 2014 at designated test centers nationwide.

 

For more information, you may contact any of the following DOST Offices:

- Ilocos Norte: (077) 670-1815 / 09989620231

- Ilocos Sur: (077) 722-3347 / 09989620230

- La Union: (072) 242-0663 / 09989620229

- Pangasinan (Lingayen):(075) 529-1764 / 0998620228

- Pangasinan (Urdaneta City): (075) 204-0286 / 09989620227