Vol. 8 No. 5 Bimonthly issue September - October 2014 Talim island fisherfolks visit ERDB’s demo areas and gallery

Mangingisda ng Ginoong Sanay and Samahang Mangingisda ng Barangay Pinagdilawan.

Bamboos, which are abundant in Talim Island are made into various types of furniture such as sofas, cabinets, tables, chairs and a lot more. It is their main source of living, while fishing is only secondary.

In her welcome remarks, ERDB OIC Dir. Portia G. Lapitan emphasized the continuous commitment of ERDB to transfer ERDB’s technology to the grassroots and mentioned DENR Secretary Paje’s instruction to consider the “inclusive growth” in implementing projects which is the centerpiece of President Aquino’s administration. It means putting The Talim island cooperators together with the ERDB the poor at the center of the development that no Partner-Bond team and some LBES staff. one is left behind.

wenty-four fishermen from Barangay Ginoong The participants visited the Los Baños Experiment T Sanay and Pinagdilawan conducted a cross- Station (LBES) wherein For. Digno C. Garcia visit at the ERDB’s bamboo and rattan explained the different facilities of the LBES at the demonstration areas on October 3, 2014. The Makiling Forest Reserve in Los Baños, . fishermen are cooperators of ERDB’s Partner-Bond The participants were toured by For. Garcia and Mr. Project which is being implemented in Talim island. Edgardo Castillo around the LBES covering the The project is headed by Vienna O. Austria with demonstration areas of ERDB on agroforestry, Marla V. Cambay and Ma. Theresa M. Valencia as bambusetum, rattan genebank, medicinal plants, co-activity leader and project staff, respectively. and forest nursery. The participants also had the Next page The cooperators represent the 2 POs, Samahang chance to see the Mt. Makiling mudspring. (Continued on page 2) ERDB joins 399th Foundation Day of Los Baños

n celebration of the 399th Foundation Day of the I Municipality of Los Baños, the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) joined the 140 delegates in the civic parade held on Sept. 17, 2014. The delegates came from government offices, NGOs and private individuals.

With the theme, “Bayan Ko, Ikinararangal ko, Pagpupugay sa Ambag ng Los Baños sa Mundo”, the parade started from the Olivarez Plaza up to the General Paciano Park Compound, old Municipal Covered Court, Los Baños, Laguna. The ERDB participants to the 399th Foundation Day parade held on Los Baños Mayor Caesar P. Perez welcomed the Sept. 17, 2014 headed by Mr. Angelito Exconde (center), Supervisor, Los Baños Experiment Station (LBES), ERDB. Next page

INSIDE:  3 LBSC holds Techno Forum: Handa KNB sa Oras ng Kalamidad?  3 ERDB’s researches presented in 24th IUFRO World Congress  4 ERDB’s bamboo and rattan gallery 2 Vol. 8 No. 5

Talim island fisherfolks… from page 1

products. They were also exposed to FPRDI’s The group visited the Forest Products Research newly developed technologies on the engineered and Development Institute’s (FPRDI) and where bamboo processing equipment. briefed on technologies on the utilization of wood To further enliven the interest of the cooperators in planting bamboo, they were toured at the bamboo and rattan gallery where they saw the various end- products of bamboo and rattan that were collected locally and internationally. Dr. Aida B. Lapis, former Deputy Project Director of ITTO- ASEAN Rattan Project who initiated the putting up of the gallery narrated how the gallery came about.

Impressions were delivered by Mr. Clemente Olvida of Samahang Mangingisda ng Barangay Ginoong Sanay and Mr. Romeo Cerafica of Samahang Mangingisda ng Barangay Pinagdilawan during the ERDB OIC Director Portia G. Lapitan giving the welcome remarks closing program. Dir. Portia G. Lapitan assured the during the visit of Talim island cooperators. cooperators that the bamboo nurseries will

ERDB joins 399th Foundation Day … from page 1 amounted to P1,568,000 for the livelihood activities of Los Baños. participants. He mentioned that each of us has his/ her own role to play in maintaining cleanliness and One of the guest speakers during the occasion was peace and order in the town of Los Baños. Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez. In his speech, he said he supports the initiative to convert Los Baños Ms. Georgia Lovell, Chair, Direct Aid and Program into a city although this will be a great loss to the Committee of the Australian Ambassador to the province of Laguna. Philippines delivered the inspirational message. She congratulated the people of Los Baños on Gov. Hernandez announced his accomplishments their anniversary. She said, “Australia and the during his 100th day of serving the province of Philippines enjoy the warm friendship and we are Laguna. He mentioned his proposal to have an here to help the Philippines in times of need”. She extension office in Calamba for the tourism and further said the Australian government has allotted provincial disaster preparedness departments. $ 170 M dollars as a donation to the Philippines. The other accomplishments which he mentioned Loyalty awards were given to municipal employees were the shortened period for claiming medical who have served the Los Baños Municipal assistance from 3-6 months to 10 days, increase of government for 10, 20, 30, 35 and 40 years. 6.67% for basic and social services, proposal for the Likewise, Mayor Caesar Perez was given a loyalty Coastal road project from to Bay, Laguna award for his 25 years of leadership to the (to start on the 1st week of August 2014), quick Municipality of Los Baños. processing of papers for the purchase of medicine, additional benefits for the orange card, and the Cong. Joaquin Chipeco, Jr. mentioned his increase in the number of scholars from 6,000 to proposed bill to turn Los Baños into a city. He said 10,000 students. Los Baños has 150,000 inhabitants while the only requirement to become a city is only 100,000. He For the 9 provincial hospitals, he likewise assured also added that the income of Los Baños is P 200 the public on his plan to digitally connect these M while the requirement for the conversion into a hospitals for easy access of information (e. g. city is P 250 M. availability of vacant rooms etc.).

The occasion also served as a venue for the Finally, he mentioned that he already ordered the turning over of the check from the Department of release of allowance for the Barangay NutritionPage 4 Trade and Industry (DTI) for Grassroots Participatory Budgeting Process. The initial check

ERDB Info Journal Vol. 8 No. 5 3

LBSC holds Techno Forum: Handa KNB sa Oras ng Kalamidad?

Dr. Garcia mentioned that the forum serves a venue to promote science and technology to the general public.

The first speaker was Ms. Bernadette Lucillo, PAG-ASA Weather Specialist based at the National Agrometeorology Station (NAS) at UPLB. Ms. Lucillo tackled the topics: Description of Los Baños, Normal Rainfall of NAS- UPLB, Typhoons in Laguna from 1989-2014 and Rainfall Advisories, Classification and Measurement.

The second speaker, Mr. Elvis Cruz, Assistant Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense IV-A discussed the following topics: 1) Why do typhoons frequently visit the Philippines?; 2) Philippine Disaster Risk Profile; 3) Republic Act 10121 on Disaster Risk Reduction; 4) Key Players in DRRM; Ms. Bernadette Lucillo, PAG-ASA Weather Specialist answers a question 5) NDRRMC (OPCEN Operations Center) during the Technology Forum: Handa knb sa Oras ng Kalamidad held on Information Flow; 6) Concept of Operation; Sept. 11, 2014 at the NCAS Auditorium, UPLB. Also in photo are L-R 7) Recent Experiences in Disaster Asst. Prof. Pinaflor Taylan, UP Open University; Mr. Elvis Cruz, Assistant Response and Rehabilitation (Typhoon Regional Director, Office of Civil Defense IV-A; and Mr. Martin Q. Yolanda (Haiayan) experience; 8) DRRM Imatong, LGUDRRM Consultant. Efforts Rehabilitation and Recovery; and 9) Typhoon Glenda Experiences Response. he Los Baños Science Community (LBSC) hosted T the Techno forum: Handa KNB sa Oras ng The last speaker was Mr. Martin Q. Imatong, LGU Kalamidad? on Sept. 11, 2014 at the NCAS (New DRRM Consultant discussed the topic “Paghahanda sa College of Arts and Science) Auditorium, UPLB. Kalamidad: Mga Aral para sa Barangay”. He presented the following: 1) The Philippine Disaster Risk Profile; 2) Dr. Enrique P. Tolentino, Vice Chancellor for Community Volcanoes in the Philippines; 3) Earthquake Activity in Affairs welcomed the participants including the barangay the Philippines; 4) Tsunami; 5) Human Induced captains of Los Baños, the Sangguniang Barangay Disaster; 6) World Risk Index Report 2012; 7) Earth’s members, and the members of the LBSC community. natural events; 8) Quick facts about R.A. 10121; 9) Network of DRRMCs and 10) NDRRMC coordination Dr. Primo Garcia, Chair of Technoforum Committee 2014 During Emergencies. mentioned the activities for the 3-day event which includes the wonderama exhibit at the Copeland Gym at During the open forum several questions were asked by UPLB, techno forum at the NCAS Auditorium and the barangay officials. There was a question if the LGU- awarding at the SEARCA auditorium, UPLB.

ERDB’s researches presented in 24th IUFRO World Congress

wo research abstracts of the DENR’s T Ecosystems Research and Development Abstracts are about the two current research Bureau (ERDB) were presented during the 24th projects of ERDB titled “Establishment of International Union of Forest Research Hydrometeorological Stations in National Power Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on October 5-11, 2014. Next page 2 ERDB Info Journal 4 Vol. 8 No. 5

ERDB’s bamboo and rattan gallery

n an effort to promote the importance of bamboo I and rattan in the Philippines, the Ecosystems The gallery showcases the Philippine native bamboos Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) and rattan and their production, crafts and cultural established the bamboo and rattan gallery. The influence to the Filipino way of life in both the low and gallery serves as a repository of relevant research high end of social ladder. It also displays the ingenuity outputs, literatures and information including photos and uniqueness of the ASEAN peoples in coming up of various species and products of bamboos in the with versatile bamboo products such as furniture, Philippines and neighboring countries. musical instruments, kitchen utensils, baskets, trays, bags, mats, clothing and other functional decorative Dr. Aida B. Lapis, a retired Scientist, and former materials. Various materials or crafts were OIC Chief of the Grassland and Degraded Areas categorized under the following themes: cultural, farm Research Division and Deputy Project Director of implements, decorations, utility, musical and others. ITTO Philippines ASEAN Rattan Project initiated the establishment of the gallery which formally opened To date, a total collection of 272 bamboo and 195 on February 21, 2007. According to her, “this is the rattan products can be seen in the museum from only gallery or museum in the Philippines focusing ASEAN and other countries: Brunei Darussalam, on bamboo and rattan.” She further said, “ERDB Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic has embarked on research and development (R&D) Republic, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, on bamboo since 1978”. Most bamboo production Thailand, Vietnam and China. Edible rattan shoots technologies emanated from ERDB research (dried and bottled) and bottled fruit wine are also on outputs that led to bamboo and rattan plantation display. protocols now being adopted nationwide. The gallery is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00

th ERDB’s researches presented … from page 3 ERDB joins 399 Foundation Day … from page 2 Corporation-Managed Watershed Reservations” Scholars (BNS), Bantay Lawa and a total of P5M and “Rehabilitation Strategies and Ecotourism anniversary bonus of the employees of the Laguna Development for Mined-Out and Waste Dump Provincial Capitol. Areas in Bagacay, Hinabangan, Western Samar, Philippines.”

ERDB Senior Science Research Specialist Angelito B. Exconde presented the poster at the Congress.

The 24th IUFRO World Congress is themed

“Sustaining Forests, Sustaining People: The Role of Vol. 8 No. 5 September - October 2014 Research.” Contribution from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo dated Aug. 31, 2007.The ERDB Info Journal is produced bimonthly in coordination with all The Congress is held every 4 to 5 years in various parts of the world to bring together scientists from Executive Advisers : Portia G. Lapitan many disciplines that focus on forests, natural Antonio M. Daño resources, and people. Editorial Adviser : Veronica O. Sinohin Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay Layout : Liberato A. Bacod In the Philippines, along with ERDB, the Circulation : Eduardo M. Tolentino Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Photographer : Gino S. Laforteza Products Research and Development Institute, and

ERDB Info Journal