Home | Bicol University - ISSN: 2012-0029 R & Dbicol-u.edu.ph/downloads/rndupdate/R&D_Update_Vol_1_Issue... · 2020. 5. 4. · October - December 2007 e-mail: bu_rdc@ yahoo.com. In

1The Official Publication of the Bicol University Research and Development CenterVol. 1 Issue 1

R & D Update October - December 2007

R & DUpdate

The Official Publication of the Bicol University Research and Development Center“Making the best of science and technology work”

Vol. I Issue 2 October - December 2007 e-mail: bu_rdc@ yahoo.com

In this issue:

B.U. R

ES

EA

RC

H AND DEVELOPM

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CE

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1977

ISSN: 2012-0029

BU joins the 7th ISSAAS Philippine Convention and Annual Meeting

A total of 195 programs, projects and studies were identified during the presentations in the two-day R&D Strategic Planning-Workshop held at BACMAN Geothermal Production Unit in Manito, Albay on October 2-3, 2007. The BU College of Business, Economics and Management (BUCBEM) had the greatest number of identified program areas with a total of 56 followed by BU Tabaco Campus (BUTC) which had 23. The BU College of Arts & Letters(BUCAL)had 18 while BU Polangui Campus (BUPC) had 10. The BU College of Nursing (BUCN), BU College of Industrial Technology (BUCIT), BU College of Education (BUCE) had seven(7),five (5)and three(3) respectively.

As the research arm of the

University, the Bicol University Research and Development Center (BURDC) is mandated to initiate, undertake, coordinate and integrate the research efforts of the University in relation

(continuation on page 3)

Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, Dr. Jane B. Mascariñas and Mr. Carlos V. Cortez, Jr. attended the International Society for Southeast Asian Agricultural Sciences-Philippines (ISSAAS) convention held at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA),

(continuation on p. 4)

BU hosts Researchers meeting of the PCARRD-supported......... p. 6

Bicol University supports GMA’s program on coco coir development.... p. 7

BURDC holds Researchers’ Writeshop........ p. 8

BUCE bares R&D events and plans................ p. 9

PCARRD touches base with socio-economics researchers...... p. 11

BUCAL faculty take up challenges for research participation.... p. 10

The new RDC office............... p. 14

BU holds Two-day R&D Strategic Planning Workshop

by Yolanda Julieta B. Brugada

by Carlos V. Cortez

BU undergraduate thesis presented in an international conference.......... p. 3

UPLB College, Laguna on October 25 – 26, 2007 with the theme “Impact of Climate Change and Biofuel on Agriculture”.

The BU participants presented the paper entitled “Climate Change and Red Tide Occurrence in Sorsogon Bay: Is There a Way Out?”. The paper discussed the possible correlation between

increasing temperature, red tide occurrence and productivity of the bay. It did not, however, discount the confluence of other factors like environmental degradation and anthropogenic activities. The paper recommended that addressing the red tide problem in Sorsogon Bay and other problems

Administrators, faculty members, researchers and resource speakers gather in front of the BACMAN Conference Hall.

2 The Official Publication of the Bicol University Research and Development Center Vol. 1 Issue 2


Research aims to solve, if not to prevent problems at the fore. One such problem is the escalating price of basic commodities, especially rice. Yet, in the midst of this reeling national rice crisis at present, eight settlements in the seven provinces in Mindanao have no signs whatsoever of rice or any other food shortage. These areas of Mindanao are teeming with rice, with harvests so plentiful that trucks are not enough to take the rice to the markets.

The Mindanao Sustainable Settlement Area Development (MINSSAD), a foreign-assisted undertaking of the Department of Agrarian Reform, has made it possible. Launched in 2001, it has dramatically improved the lives of farmers in terms of gross earnings, social services, education and health. Comparatively speaking, 60 percent of households had a yearly income of P66,273 before the project started. They began reaping a yearly income of P95,460 or more

for a three-hectare two-crop per year rice farm in 2004, just three years after the project was introduced. At the end of its seventh year, in 2007, the project has reduced poverty in these areas by 20 percent.

The ingredients to its success consist of establishing agrarian reform communities with a consistent supply of support services in the form of agricultural infrastructure, pre- and post-harvest facilities, financial services, irrigation systems and green farming technology. In turn, when these communities become centers of economic growth, they will encourage less productive villages to become part of their expansion activities.

To briefly describe the goings-on in these areas, 313 kilometers of roads and bridges have been built to connect the farm to the market and promote investment to the rural areas. Irrigation facilities increased the production of these formerly rain-fed rice farms. Green technology, an environment-friendly

EditorialEditorial Board

Editor-in-Chief DR. ANGELA E. LORENZANA

Editorial Consultants

DR. FAY LEA PATRIA M. LAURAYABU President

DR. HELEN M. LLENAREsAsVice President for Academic Affairs

DR. ARNULFO M. MAsCARIÑAsBURDC Director

PROF. RONNEL R. DIONEDA, sR.Assistant Director, BURDC

Cartoonist

MR. RENIE O. CORRE

Lay-out Artist/ Illustrator

Ms. MARIA LARA B. BALINGAsA

Associate Editors

ANGELO P. CANDELARIANEsTOR W. DULLEsCO

Editorial Staff

DR. FEDERICO O. RAGUINDIN, JR.PROF. CARLOs V. CORTEZ, JR. PROF. CORAZON V. CAPUTAN

PROF. YOLANDA JULIETA BRUGADA PROF. FE DE LEOZ-ATAIZA

Ms. MARIA LARA B. BALINGAsAIDA FRANCIA F. REVALE

Ms. MARIA AUREA C. BORROMEO

Contributors

DR. IsIDRA M. BERDINMs. JUDITH R. CHAVEZ

DR. AGNEs JACOB-NEPOMUCENOMs. RITA M. FABRO

Ms. JO-ANN M. CORDOVILLA

process, enables the cultivation of rice using compost from livestock farms. These livestock farms, clean and free from unpleasant odor, are raised through nature-farming. Post-harvest losses have been checked due to the availability of solar dryers and adequate storage facilities. To encourage reforestation, students were encouraged to plant trees. A brand-new computer was awarded to a school for every 500 new trees planted and a second-hand computer for every six trees - two fruit trees and four forest trees planted. An estimated 500,000 trees are expected to be planted this year and computer literacy is promoted as well.

Such experience in Mindanao has cast a glimmer of hope for a remedy to our country’s food shortage. Gone out of control, the rice crisis has been blamed on many factors among which are household rice hoarding, migration of farmers’ children

(continuation on p. 6)

by Angela E. LorenzanaRice and Shine


R & D Update October - December 2007NEWS

(BU Joins...from p.1)

related to climate change will require long-term interventions. These long-term solutions have to be complemented by short-term programs and projects in order to address the immediate needs of affected sectors.

The convention was divided into different thematic areas such as: 1) Climate Change; 2) Alternative Fuels; 3) Social Entrepreneurship and Extension Concerns; 4) Natural Resource Management; 5) Livestocks and Feeds; and 6) Agricultural Productivity, Food Processing & Food Safety. The convention aimed at generating interest towards a better understanding of the effects of climatic changes and use of biofuels in Philippine agriculture in order to properly plan a wide variety of proactive and adaptive actions that might be taken by farmers. Likewise, it

Juperski B. Periña, an alumnus of Bicol University (BU), presented his unpublished u n d e r g r a d u a t e thesis during the International Scientific Conference on Natural Products for Health and Wellness held on January 24-25, 2008 at the Manila Hotel.

Mr. Periña, a BU student from pre-school to tertiary level, is a BS Applied Biology graduate, major in Animal Science in 2002 from the Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF). He is now connected with United Laboratories (Unilab).

His undergraduate thesis is entitled “Antifungal Effect of Akapulco (Cassia alata Linn.) Leaves Extract and Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Juice Against Micosporum canis, Micosporum gypseum

and Tricophyton mentagrophytes Fungi Causing Ringworm Among Dogs, In Vitro.” It is designed to evaluate the effect of akapulco leaves’ crude extract and lime juice combinations against three (3) species of fungi isolated from ringworm-infected dogs.

His study revealed that 50% akapulco leaves crude extract added with 50% lime juice is comparable to Clotrimazole in inhibiting the growth of Micosporum canis in vitro.

The research study of Mr. Periña was among the 24 oral presentations delivered at the Rigodon and Pandango/Polkabol Halls of Manila Hotel. Of the 24 researches, 21 were conducted in the different parts of the Philippines and the remaining three in Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia.

The two-day event was participated in by both local and foreign students, members of the academe and personnel coming from various public and private institutions and organizations. Mr. Perina’s thesis co-adviser, Prof. Judith R. Chavez, also attended the conference.

This activity sponsored by the Centro Escolar University (CEU) like the BUBUT (BU Best Undergraduate Thesis competition) has inspired BU students to systematically undertake researches directed toward excellence.

by Judith R. Chavez

Dont tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how great the Lord is !

is important that policy makers take the anticipated impacts on climate change of the production and use of biofuels taking into account the food security issue, the land-use policies and other programs of government.

ISSAAS is an organization whose main objective is to encourage the holistic approach to problems and promote the progress and development of S & T-related agricultural sciences through research and publication, and the outcome is for regional agricultural development. The society is composed of scientists, technical experts, and other advocates of

the society’s goal in the broad field of agricultural sciences, whose activities are within the Southeast Asian region.

The BU Team with Dr Lasco of World Agro-Forestry.


R & D Update October - December 2007NEWS(BU Two-Day.. from p.1)

Table 1. List of programs/projects/studies by college per program area. The following is a table showing the involvement of the college in research projects and studies per program area:

Program Area College/Unit No. of identified program/project/ study title/s/areas

Food security & Poverty Reduction

Enhancing the Competitiveness of Business & Industry

Environment & Natural Resource Management

Improving Basic social services Delivery

Improving University Management & services

Gender & Development

Improving Basic Health services

Analysis of Literature & Other Forms Specifically Bicol Culture

BUCALBUPC

BUCBEMBUCITBUTC

BUCssPBUCAFBUCs

BUCENG

BUCBEMBUTCBUPC

BUCAFBUCs

BUCENG

BUCBEMBUTC

BUCssPBUCAFBUCs

BUCENG

BUCALBUCITBUTC

BUCssPBUCAFBUCs

BUCENG

BUCALBUCNBUCIT

BUCBEMBUTCBUPC

BUCssPBUCAFBUCs

BUIPEsRBUCENG

BUPCBUTC

BUCALBUCssPBUCAFBUCs

BUCNBUTC

BUCAL

241221611

411333

7121657

2114216

712

442264214

312121

61

1

to the national and regional development goals. In response to this mandate, the activity was envisioned to serve as an avenue to encourage collaboration and

complementation of researchers and to provide a common direction to the diverse R&D interests of the different colleges/units of Bicol University.



The complete list of the resource persons and their respective inputs are shown below:

NEWScont. of Table 1

The inputs given by the resource persons who were experts in their respective fields from the different line agencies, familiarized the participants on the current trends, issues and priorities on R&D.They served as a guide in identifying the R&D needs of the region based on existing situations. The resource persons also composed the panel of evaluators during the presentation of outputs. Dr. Elisio R. Ponce, a visiting fellow, Philippine Institute for Development Studies, was one of the resource persons. His talk focused more on researches which will have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of the Bicolanos. He challenged the BU community to implement R&D endeavors that are responsive and relevant in addressing the pressing needs in the region. Moreover, he stressed that in order to address the present situation in the region, a more realistic R&D Strategic Plan has to be in place. He suggested a framework to attain this.

After the inputs, the respective Research Coordinator of the College/Unit presented the college’s R&D Matrix for critiquing. An open forum was declared for the queries, comments, suggestions and recommendations not only from the panel of evaluators but also from the BU community.

about the PaperBU R&D Update is an official quarterly newsletter published by the Bicol University Research and Development

Center (BURDC) that features the professional output of BU researchers to provide avenue for the community to know, respond to and build on the recent issues, findings and trends of research and development. Its slogan “Making the best of science and technology work” emphasizes the value of knowledge-generation through scientific investigation and

using this knowledge to create technological systems and processes that will support, improve and enhance the lives of people. We, therefore, encourage the teaching and non-teaching personnel, research coordinators, administrators to submit regularly to BURDC through e-mail address [email protected] research-based articles with 300-500 words.

Program Area

Resource Person

College/Unit

Agency/Position Topic

No. of identified program/project/ study title/s/areas

Development of Base Information in the Local MediaPeace Promotion through Mass Media

Media Forms that Awaken Community Consciousness

Community Development

Curriculum Development

Post-Harvest Technology Development

TOTAL

BUCAL 1

1

1

1

1

2

195

BUCAL

BUTC

BUCAL

BUCALBUTC

BUCssPBUCE

BUIPEsR

1. Dr. Eliseo R. Ponce

4. Dir. Dennis V. socorro5. Dr. Milagros Esparrago

6. Prof. Ronnel R. Dioneda, sr.7. Dr. Hejie E. Dimabogte

8. Mr. Eliesar En. Moroña9. Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

2. Ms. Cynthia s. Berces

3. Mrs. Luz R. Marcelino

PIDs, Visiting Fellow

BFAR, OIC Regional DirectorCHED

BURDC, Asst. DirectorBCIERD, Director

DTI – Albay, Chief, PPMDBURDC, Director

Chief Economic Development specialistNational Economic Development Authority

Department of Agriculture RFU5, Bicol Experiment station supt.

New Agriculture & Its Implication to RD& E

R&D Priorities for Fisheries sectorR&D Priorities for the Education sector

R&D Agenda for Health & MedicineR&D Agenda for Engineering, Industry and EnergyR & D Agenda for Trade and CommerceBicol University’s R&D Thrusts & Directions

socio-Economics situationer and Regional Development Thrusts & Direction for BicolLessons from Department of Agriculture and R&D Priorities for Agriculture



by Nestor W. Dullesco and Rita M. Fabro

Twenty-one researchers from ten member agencies of the Regional Consortia and PCARRD participated in the second Project Implementers’ meeting hosted by Bicol University on December 7-9, 2007. Upon the request of Dr. Patricio S. Faylon, Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), Dr. Fay Lauraya, BU President, tasked the BU Research and Development Center Director Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas to make the necessary arrangements for the venue, accommodation and field trip of the researchers of the PCARRD-supported national program on “Supply Chain Improvement for selected Commodities in the AFNR”. The participants during the meeting were as follows:

The PCARRD delegation was headed by Dr. Albert P. Aquino, Director of the Council’s Socio-Economics Research Division (sERD) and Dr. Ernesto O. Brown, sERD Assistant Director and over-all Coordinator of the supply Chain Program.

The participants discussed the initial project accomplishments, particularly the preliminary results of the supply mapping conducted by the project implementers on five key commodities/industries covered by the program. These included abaca, vegetables, goat, bamboo and organic fertilizer.

BU, together with VsU, UsC and NORMIsIsT researchers, are the implementers of the component project on abaca. The component research on vegetables is being undertaken by BsU and CMU while that on goat is being implemented by CLsU, NVsU and UsM. The agencies involved in bamboo research are MMsU and UPV (no participant during the meeting). CLsU is the sole agency involved in organic fertilizer research.

BU sponsored the accommodation of the participants at Jennifers’ Garden and Appartelle and at the BUCE Dormitory. The culminating activity included a tour of the participants to abaca-producing municipalities of Albay.

BU hosts researchers’ meeting of the PCarrd-supported national program on “Supply Chain improvement for Selected Commodities in the aFNr”

to look for high-paying jobs abroad thus, abandoning inherited farmlands, governmental neglect on agriculture, the depreciating peso, the inaccessibility of agricultural loans that forces farmers to borrow from usurers who charge exorbitant rates, mismatch between the available technology and what the IRRI has to offer, and importing rice at a very high price.

Even among economic experts, there even seems to be a cacophony of confusing explanations for the real cause of the price hike. According to Don Paarlberg, “Hunger is a 100-year old problem, tackled with 5-year development plans, 3-year projects, and 1-year budget allocations.

As we can see very well in the Mindanao experience, researches have not been wanting. The Philippines simply needs a working plan to put research findings and results, especially on agriculture, into action. And this must be constant and continuous.

(Rice and Shine, from p. 2)

Name of Participants Agency/School/Address1. Prof. Leopoldo Tagarino

2. Dr. Zenaida Esteban

3. Prof. Ruby sansano

4. Dr. Clarita Aganon5. Prof. Luz Galang6. Prof. Wilfred Jamandre7. Mr. Rex Parayno

8. Dr. Beth Villarin

9. Dr. Antonio Abamo

10. Dr. Ma. Luisa soliven

11. Prof. Magdalena Guiamal

12. Dr. Erico Alan

13. Dr. Arnulfo M. Macariñas 14. Dr. Jane B. Mascariñas15. Prof. Carlos V. Cortez, Jr. 16. Prof. Angelo P. Candelaria17. Dr. Viola Amano

18. Dr. Albert P. Aquino 19. Dr. Ernesto O. Brown20. Ms. Rita M. Fabro21. Mr. Noriel B. Viray

Benquet State University (BSU), La Trinidad, Benguet

Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Batac, Ilocos Norte

Nueva Viscaya State University (NVSU), Bayombong, Nueva Viscaya

Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City

Visayas State University (VSU), Baybay, Leyte

Central Mindanao University (CMU), Musuan Bukidnon

University of Southern Mindanao, (USM), Kabakan, Cotabato

Northern Mindanao Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST), Butuan City

Bicol University (BU), Legazpi City

PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna


R & D Update October - December 2007NEWSBicol University supports GMA’s program on Coco Coir Development

In response to Memorandum Circular No. 25 dated September 2, 2002 issued by Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, directing all national and local government agencies, bureaus and other instrumentalities including agricultural institutions and councils to use coco peat or coir dust and coconut fiber materials for soil conditioning and erosion control, Bicol University through the Research and Development Center (BURDC) conducted a series of consultation meetings to come up with research proposals geared towards coco coir development in the Bicol Region. Inspired by the goal of enhancing the production and utilization of coco husk and coir to maximize the potential of the coconut fiber as an industry, BURDC spearheaded a proposal presentation. An inception meeting was held last December 28-29, 2007 at the Conference Room of Bicol University College of Agriculture and Forestry (BUCAF) in Guinobatan, Albay. Thirty (30) participants, mostly researchers coming from the different colleges of the university, namely, BUCIT, BUCS and BUCAF, participated in this undertaking. To provide valuable inputs to the presentation and critiquing of proposals, a panel of evaluators namely, Mr. Tomas A. Briñas, OIC of DOST V, Engr. Arthur Lucas C. Cruz, Deputy Exec. Dir. for Research and Operations of Metals Industry Research and Development Center (MIRDC), Mr. Alfredo Rillo, PCA-V Director, Dr. Justino R. Arboleda of JUBOKEN (private company

investing in coco coir production) and BU President Dr. Fay M. Lauraya were present as critiques. Proposals presented are listed in the table below:

by Maria Lara B. Balingasa

Coco coir being processed by a decorticating machine.

Pres. F. Lauraya giving her input during the presentation of proposals on coco coir

Title of Proposals BU Team

1) Development and Establishment of Natural Dye Technology

2) Development of the Foot Driven Coco Coir Decorticating Machine

3) Development of Coco Peat Compressing Machine

4) Coco Peat Pelletizing Machine

5) Development of Coco Dewatering Machine

6) A Project on the Promotion of the Coco Coir and Coir Products Processing Technology to small Coconut Farm Households.

Prof. Michael Montealegre; Prof. Ida Francia H. Revale; Prof. Anne O. Retuerma; Prof. Charmaine Malonzo; Prof. Ma. Crispina Baltazar; Engr. Arnulfo P. Malinis; Prof. Viola L. Amano; Dr. Erlinda C. Relucio; Engr. Alan P. Rabe; Prof. John Fitzken Da Vinci Niro; Prof. Joel Habalo; Engr. Efren Gonzales; Prof. Leilani D. Pavilando



BURDC holds Researchers’ Writeshopby Corazon V. Caputan & Yolanda Julieta B. Brugada

As an offshoot of the Strategic Planning held at Bacman Field

Office, Manito, Albay last October 2-3, 2007 and in preparation for the 2008 R&D implementation, the Bicol University Research and Development Center (BURDC) sponsored a three- day BU Researchers’ Writeshop held at the Social Hall, Bicol University Tabaco Campus, Tabaco City on December 19-21, 2007. The objective of the said Writeshop was to come up with fundable researches anchored on the research thrusts of the University and to encourage more faculty involvement in research undertakings. Likewise, it was envisioned to enhance the capability of BU faculty members to come up with quality research proposals. The 42 participants who attended the writeshop were composed of the Research Coordinators and faculty members of the different colleges/units of the University. Dr. Higino A. Ables of Sorsogon City and Dr. Elena de los Santos of the Department of Agriculture, Region V were the external evaluators while Dr. Federico

O. Raguindin Jr., BU Graduate School Professor, was the internal evaluator. They served as critics during the presentation of the proposals. The activity was formally opened by an opening program with Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, BURDC director, giving the welcome message on behalf of BU President, Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya. It was followed immediately by the delivery of inputs from the different resource persons. Prof. Ronnel R. Dioneda, Sr., the assistant director of BURDC, tackled the University Research Protocol and Guidelines on Technical Writing and Research Proposal Preparation. Reference materials were also provided to the participants to guide them in the writeshop proper. Queries from the participants were entertained to shed light on questionable areas. The last two days of the activity was utilized for the writeshop and the presentation and critiquing of outputs. There were 33 detailed proposals presented by the respective

proponents per college for critiquing. BU College of Business, Economics & Management (BUCBEM) and BU Polangui Campus (BUPC) had the greatest number of proposals presented. Both had seven proposals followed by BU College of Industrial Technology (BUCIT), four; BU College of Science (BUCS), three; BU Institute of Physical Education, Sports & Recreation (BUIPESR), two; BU College of Social Sciences & Philosophy (BUCSSP), two and BU College of Arts & Letters (BUCAL), two while BU Tabaco Campus (BUTC), BU College of Agriculture & Forestry (BUCAF) , BU College of Engineering (BUCEng) and BU College of Nursing (BUCN) had one each. The full-blown proposal will enable the RDC

Dr. E de los Santos (DA), Dr. H. Ables and Dr. F. Raguindin acting as panel evaluators during the Researchers’ Workshop on Oct. 2-3, 2007.




Project 1 – Development of Instructional Materials in Teaching the Different Disciplines (Php 300,000) (Studies on: Module in Teaching Sciences, Mathematics, English, Filipino, Social Studies and TLE; ICT Materials in Teaching Teacher Education Courses) Project 2 – Development and Validation of Assessment Tools (Php 250,000) Study 1 – Qualifying Aptitude Test for Different DisciplinesStudy 2 – Development of LET ReviewerStudy 3 – Performance and Portfolio Assessment Tools in Different CoursesProject 3: Development of Instructional Materials for NsTP Literacy Program (Php 100,000)

Study 1 – Training Materials for NSTP Implementers of Literacy ProgramStudy 2 - Literacy Materials for Pre-schoolers and Elementary Pupils

Improving University Management and servicesProgram 1: Establishment of BUCE Reading

Project 1 – Assessment of the Reading Program of BUCE (Php 50,000) (Studies on : Elementary, Secondary and College Levels)Project 2 – Effectiveness of SRA Reading Program (P 300,000) (Studies: Test Construction and Validation of Reading Test; Effectiveness of SRA in the Development of the Reading Skills; Proposed BUCE Program)Project 3: Implementation of the BUCE Reading Program (Php 250,000)Study 1 – Reading Competencies and Academic Performance of BUCE StudentsStudy 2 – Attitude of Students Towards ReadingStudy 3 – Development of Recreatory Reading ActivitiesStudy 4 – Development of Materials in Academic Reading

Program 2: Tracing the BUCE Graduates

Project 1 : BUCE Graduates in the Teaching ProfessionProject 2 : BUCE Graduates Employed in Other Professions

NEWS

BURDC holds Researchers’ Writeshopby Dr. Isidra M. Berdin

The BUCE Research Center conducted a seminar-workshop with the coordinator as organizer and facilitator on “Creativity and Livelihood for Day Care Workers of Albay.” This seminar supplemented the data of the coordinator’s research on the “Status of Day Care Centers in Albay.” It was participated in by the Day Care workers in the three (3) districts of Albay together with the faculty presenters of BUCE and CBEM.Below is the five-year plan of BUCE:

BUCE R&D Plan (2008-2011)

Food security and Poverty ReductionProgram: Development of Instructional Materials (Php 150,000)Project 1 - Development of Instructional Materials on Proper Food Preparation, Handling, Preservation and StorageProject 2 - Development of Instructional Materials on Proper Nutrition Project 3 - Development of Instructional Materials on Causes of Poverty and Strategies for its Alleviation

Environment and Natural Resources Program: Development of ENRM- Enriched Curriculum (Php 200,000)Project 1 – Integration of ENRM Concepts in Teacher Education CurriculumProject 2 – Integration of ENRM Concepts in Basic Education Curriculum

Gender and DevelopmentProgram: Gender and Development Advocacy in Legazpi City (Php 250,000)Project 1 – Survey on the Awareness of Gender and DevelopmentProject 2 – Livelihood Training for Unemployed WomenProject 3 – Promotion on Women’s and Children’s Rights

Improving social services DeliveryProgram: Development & Validation of Instructional Materials and Assessment Tools

BUCE bares R&D Events and Plans

“Most of the things worth doing in this world have been decided impossible even before they were attempted.”



(BURDC holds ...from p. 8)

to determine the funding requirement, extent of f a c u l t y involvement and other m a t t e r s essential to the management’s

d e c i s i o n -m a k i n g .

Majority of the proposals focused on thematic areas which the college would like to address or highlight through R&D undertakings. The proponents were advised to submit their revised proposals two weeks after they have received the comments/suggestions/recommendations from the evaluators for inclusion in the BURDC budget and possible external funding. f (continuation on page 13)

Everything I Need To

Know About Life

BUCAL faculty take up challenges for research participation

Bicol University College of Arts and Letters conducted a One-Day Faculty Researcher Writeshop on November 9, 2007.

by Dr. Agnes Jacob-Nepomuceno

Prof. Ronnel R. Dioneda, sr., BURDC Assistant Director, delivered a lecture on Research Proposal Writing following the BU format, while Dr. Agnes J. Nepomuceno, BUCAL Research Coordinator presented the Research Agenda for Academic Year 2008-2011.

With about 23 active faculty participants from the college, 15 proposals, collaboratively prepared and presented 15 proposals to a panel of critiques, headed by RDC Office Research Monitor for BUCAL, Prof. Corazon V. Caputan.

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark...

One: Don’t miss the boat.

Two: Remember that we are all on the same boat.

Three: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

Four: Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, some-one may ask you to do something really big.

Five: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

BUCAL Faculty participants writing research proposals for the college.

The participants of the writeshop listen attentively to the resource speaker

The BURDC Director giving the welcome address and message in the BUCAL Researchers’ Writeshop on Nov. 9, 2007.



BU College of Science Research & Development Plan for 2008-2012

NEWS

f

PCARRD touches base with socio-economics researchers

by Angelo P. Candelaria

senior socio-economics researchers of Bicol University gathered last December 9, 2007 for a briefing on the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) priority thrusts, research and development (R&D) agenda and potential researchable areas in agriculture, forestry and natural resources (AFNR). The PCARRD socio-economics Research Division (SERD) Director, Albert P. Aquino did the briefing. Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya, BU president and Chairperson of the Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council (RRDCC) and a social scientist herself, also attended the meeting.

Aware of BU’s involvement in undertaking socio-economic researches in collaboration with PCARRD during the past two years, Dr. Aquino pointed out the need to develop more collaborative R&D efforts most especially to support science and technology (s&T) and poverty alleviation in the country. He also highlighted the need for BU to train potential socio-economic researchers for a more sustainable effort and to fill in the gap

needed to achieve impact on R&D undertakings not just for the Bicol Region but the country as well. He said that PCARRD through the socio-Economics Research Division (sERD) is willing to endorse feasible R&D proposals for possible funding and provide technical assistance in the capacity-building of social science researchers for a more focused R&D in the region. He noted that BU faculty researchers, headed by its Research Director, Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and other co-researchers (Dr. Viola Amano-BUCAF; Dr. Jane Mascariñas-BUCE; Prof.Angelo Candelaria and Prof. Carlos Cortez, Jr-BURDC) have been involved in the implementation of the national program on performance evaluation and impact assessment of PCARRD’s Techno Gabay Program. Recognizing BU’s commitment to contribute to the enhancement of R&D on AFNR through evaluation and socio-economics research, PCARRD has again tapped the university in the implementation of the supply chain improvement project for the abaca industry in Bicol.

by Prof. Ida Francia H. Revale, BUCS Research Coordinator The College of science has updated its research and development thrusts and priorities in consonance with the BURDC themes but with focus on the UPLIFTMENT OF BICOLANO’s QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE UNDERsTANDING, WIsE UsE AND MANAGEMENT OF ITs NATURAL REsOURCEs.For the next five years, the college has the following research priorites:

BU R & D THEMEs Cs PRIORITIEs PROGRAMs/PROJECTs DEPT. INVOLVEDI.Environment and Natural Resource Management (ENRM)

1. Biodiversity and Ecological Assessments of selected Mountains of Albay: Mt. Toktokan, Malilipot, Mt. Masaraga (tie-up with CAF Biodiversity team) and Mt. Malinao

1.Water Quality Assessments / soil Water Characterization

2. Floral Diversity Assessments at the Periphery of Lakes and Rivers

(Tie-Up with BUCAF)Chemistry Dept.

Biology Dept.




Jo-Ann M. CordovillaBicol University College of Science

Legazpi City, Philippines

It is generally acknowledged that the learning of science is enhanced in hands-on activities which are part of a student’s learning experiences. The mantra is, “learning by doing”. Thus, most teachers believe that laboratory and practical work will improve student understanding of concepts.

To a certain extent, this belief is well-founded. Much of the education practice and theory recognize the importance of coupling thinking with doing (Anderson, 1947). In Physics, laboratory and practical work activities often come in a form of recipe-style “experiments” whose outcome often has a format that is predictable from an expert point of view (i.e the teacher). This is convenient because this allows teachers to determine when and if students fudge or fabricate results.

Recipe-style laboratory activities, however, are prone to monotony. Of late, I have personally observed that the students in my laboratory classes do not have much enthusiasm for performing the activities as set out in the laboratory manual. student performance of the activities seemed mechanized; to them, it was just a matter of following a procedure. There was hands-on, true, but there was no minds-on.

An examination of lab reports submitted by students reveal the lack of minds-on in student work. Answers to the questions incorporated to the activity do not really reflect the data they have obtained. There is also very little evidence that students see the connection between the concepts they learn in laboratory classes and the ones they learn during lectures.

Etkina & Van Heuvelen (2007) emphasize that learning science involves not only learning facts but also the “owning” of science as a mode of thinking and doing. In lieu of practical or laboratory work, they propose an interactive method of teaching called IsLE (Investigate science Learning Environment). This method involves: (a) observing phenomena and looking for patterns; (b) developing explanation for these patterns; (c) using these explanations to make predictions about the outcomes of testing experiments; (d) deciding if the outcomes of the testing experiments are consistent with the predictions; and (e) revising the explanations if necessary.

The IsLE method provides a good alternative to regular laboratory classes, allowing the student to learn skills in physics, mathematics and communication. The point of this method is to teach students how to think like scientists. It has the added advantage of teaching student multi-presentation communication skills.

One example of an IsLE activity is described below, as excised verbatim from the author’s paper:

“The first large room meeting starts with several demonstration experiments or videotaped experiments of objects moving in a circle at constant speed: (1) a person hits a rolling bowling ball with a mallet so the ball moves in a circle, (2) a roller blader initially skating straight holds a rope whose other end is held by another person. The roller-blader then moves in a circle around this other person.

Students are asked to identify objects interacting with

the object of interest and then to make front view free-body diagrams (as seen in the plane of the circle as the object approaches). They then look for patterns in the motion and in the diagrams that can be the basis for a provisional rule for a circular motion at constant speed. After drawing the diagrams they found that the net force exerted on the moving object is always horizontal and points to the center of the circle.

The above observational experiments are example of experiments from which students can clearly see a pattern. This does not mean that they let go of their original ideas. In the case of circular motion there are two alternative ideas

that students have: there must be a force in the direction of the motion, and there is a force outward. Both of these ideas are based on everyday experience.

As demonstrated by the above example, the essential features of IsLE include: (a) the use of examples from everyday experiences; (b) the investigation of patterns or similarities among different phenomena; and (c) the emphasis on the student concept formation rather than the strict observance of physics principles.

The use of the IsLE method in a laboratory session revealed its ability to avoid the mechanical nature of recipe-style activities. In the succeeding activities, however, the reliance of most IsLE activities on videotaped materials proved to be deterrent. Also, some students found a way to circumvent the concept-building steps by going through textbooks with extensive “practical examples” and also by “googling” for answers. When asked, students remarked that the concept-building step was “tedious” and “unnecessary” considering that the “right answer can be found somewhere”.

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Problem – Based Laboratory Activities as Real Learning Experiences


R & D Update October - December 2007FEatUrE

Thus, the challenge was to find a method that will circumvent the auto-response elicited by recipe-style activities and limit the use of ‘right answer’ that the students find from various information sources while maintaining the development of scientific attitudes and communication skills a primarily proposed by the IsLE method.

The problem-based laboratory (PBL) method allows the student to use concepts they have learned from lectures in semi-real situations while developing their problem-solving abilities and their creativity. Most of the PBL activities require research or at the very least a good understanding concepts that were discussed in lectures. Thus, the PBL method can be considered as requiring application or extension skills from students.

PBL activities involve the following: (1) a problematic situation that requires the application of physics principles; (2) the use of everyday materials together with laboratory materials; (3) the creation of solutions that conform to the scientific method. Its primary limitation is that it may take slightly longer time for students to accomplish tasks than regular laboratory activities. However, this limitation can be overcome by using PBL activities that incorporate several concepts in one problem.

Below is an example of a PBL activity. This particular example shows a single question that requires two outputs from students:

What is the minimum number of unequal and non-opposite forces whose vector sum is zero? Prove your answer mathematically and by demonstration.

As shown by the example, students need to first realize that the problem requires an understanding of equilibrium and the vector nature of forces. The same problem requires them to assign quantities and to know how to mathematically resolve them. The demonstration portion of the problem allows them to use materials creatively. When this problem was given to the group of Chemistry majors, most of the groups found via Internet research that a force table is an effective way to demonstrate equilibrium. Others used spring balances while a more enterprising group used plastic bags filled with sand.

For instance, where students output differ, it is recommended that the relative merits and disadvantages of their work be discussed. This, too, is a part of the scientific process and students gain much in terms of improving expository skills and intellectual maturity.

As with regular laboratory activities, PBL activities are checked or scored using rubrics. The rubrics for PBL activities include scores for appropriate use of concepts or principles,

ingenuity of solutions and efficient use of materials. One feature of the PBL output evaluation is the student’s journal. This journal has two parts: the group journal that contains minutes of group meetings and a narrative of their efforts and procedures and the individual journal, where the students record impressions, new learning and questions. The individual journal provides the teacher with vital information about the student learning and is assessed based on the authenticity and depth of student realizations.

The PBL method allows the teacher to extend the laboratory activities to practical or even fun problems. For example, a teacher can assign students to develop a procedure to check whether or not a piece of jewelry is made of pure metal or an alloy. Or a teacher can ask students to make long-distance Frisbee from a styrofoam plate. What is important is that the students realize the physics of what they are doing.

John R Anderson (1947). Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications. United states of America: W.H. Freeman and Company

E. Etkina and A. Van Heuvelen (2007). Investigative science Learning Environment (IsLE) – A science Process Approach to Learning Physics. Doctoral Dissertation for Rutgers University. New Jersey, UsA

stephen Pople(1996). Advanced Physics Revision Handbook. Great Britain: Oxford University Press

Jerry s. Faughn, Raymond A serway, Chris Vuille and Charles A. Bennet (2006). serway’s College Physics, 7th Edition. singapore: Brooks/ Cole of Thomson Learning

f

Six: Build your future on high ground.

Seven: For safety sake, travel in pairs.

Eight: Speed isnt always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Nine: When you’re stressed, float a while.

Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

(Everything I need... from p.10 )



The “New” RDC Office

For a more effective and efficient service delivery to the public and to the Research and Development Center’s clientele, a

new BURDC office will soon emerge with a bigger space and with a conducive working environment following its renovation that started as early as November 10, 2007.

The transformation is visibly seen in and out of the office. A receiving area at the main entrance is now provided to avoid overcrowding, especially of students who visit the Office for various purposes, e.g., to do research, to seek advice from thesis advisers, and to submit requirements to their professors. From the once crowded office housing 14 of its staff – nine (9) regular staff; two (2) detailed staff (one from the College of science and one from the College of Education); and three (3) on Job-Order-Basis, it has increased its area by 2 meters on one side of its wall. Going straight from the main door is the office of the director, which has built-in cabinets on one side. Adjoining the director’s office, on the right, is a small conference room separated by a glass door on wood frames. Hanging cabinets are found on the left side of the room.

The low partitioned walls of the office were specifically designed, separating the newly created functional units/divisions of the Center from one another, namely,: a) The Technology Development & Promotion Unit (TDPU), located on the left side of the Office of the Director which will be manned by three (3) staff; facing the TPDU unit is the b) The Program Monitoring & Databanking Unit (PMDU) with four (4) staff and on the far left corner is the c)The socioeconomics & Policy Research Unit (sPRU) & Publication and Editorial Committee with three (3) staff; respectively.

The once gypsum board on aluminium T-runner ceiling has now been replaced by lowered plywood ceiling. Pinlights are now installed in lieu of the 40-watts fluorescent lamps. The physical development of the Center was made possible through the effort of the director for research, Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, in close coordination with Architect Emelita s. Aycardo, a faculty member of the Architecture Department, who prepared the lay out and the plans. The total project cost has been estimated at P404,117.63 charged to the budget of the Center. Mr. Pedro Enrico M. Aguilar, a staff of PDMO, inspects the progress of work done by the contractor, the Jelk Construction and supply. The 45-days contract duration is scheduled to be completed on January 25, 2008.

With the limited funds of the Center, tiling works are yet to be started. However, Engr. Raymond L. Bumalay, Chief of PDMO, has been able to source out funds for the tiling from CARE, a project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Ajan Jaeda, Inc., a different construction firm has been contracted for the tiling works which will take approximately 10 days to complete. The blessing of the new office is scheduled, hopefully, on the last week of February.

by Fe De Leoz-Ataiza

The newly renovated BURDC Office



BU R & D THEMES

CS PRIORITIES

PROGRAMS/PROJECTS

DEPT. INVOLVED

3. Spatial Distribution of Mollusks, Echinoderms / Snails

4. Survey of Surface Zooplanktons / Phyto-planktons

5. Water Sources Tribu-taries to Major Lakes and Rivers

6. Participatory Envi-ronmental Conservation Practices

7. Macrobenthic Com-munity Structures

8. Sustaining the Devel-opment of Major Lakes, Rivers of Bicol Region, a Multi-Sectoral Model

9. Hydrogeology of Mt. Toktokan

10. Hydrogeology of Mt. Masaraga

11. Water Quality of Springs, Rivers and Lakes of the Bicol Re-gion

12. Water Quality Analy-sis Using Botanicals

13. Water Quality Test-ing of Municipal Water Systems in Albay

14. Soil Erosion Sus-ceptibility Classes of Land Use within Mt. Masaraga

15. Plant Resources Utilization: Its Impact to Nature Conservation

16. Documentation and Scientific Validation of Folkloric Beliefs and Practices of Bicolanos about Nature

17. Economics of the Flora of Mt. Toktokan

18. Flowering Plant Habits

19. Disturbed Land-scapes

20. Nature Conservation Practices of Mountains

Biology Dept.

Biology Dept.

Biology, Phys-ics & Math Dept.

C h e m i s t r y Dept

Biology Dept.

All Depart-ments

Physics Dept.

Physics Dept.

C h e m i s t r y Dept.

Chemistry and Biology Dept.

C h e m i s t r y Dept.

Physics and C h e m i s t r y Dept.

Biology Dept.

Biology Dept.

Biology Dept.

Biology Dept.

Physics Dept.

NEWS(BU College of Science Research....from p.11 )f

BU R & D THEMES

CS PRIORITIES

PROGRAMS/PROJECTS

DEPT. INVOLVED

II. Improving Uni-versity Manage-ment Services

2. Water Quality Monitoring and Management

3. Bio-geophysical and Chemical Assessment / Characteriza-tion of •Geothermal Sites•Mine sites•Factory-Industry sites

4. GIS of Natural Resources in the Bicol Region

1.Graduate Tracer Studies

21. Water Sources and Landscape of Mt. Toktokan / Malinao / Masaraga

22. Woodland Vegeta-tion

Environmental Valuation of Eco-Tourist Potential Areas• Water Quality Monitor-ing and Management of Donsol and Adjoining Waters • Bio-monitoring of Ma-jor Rivers in the Bicol Region• Bio-monitoring of Ma-jor Lakes in the Bicol Region• Patch Dynamics of Major Rivers, Lakes and Watersheds

• Biotoxicologic Studies - Biotoxic Monitoring of Sorosogon Bay

• Geothermal Sites• Mine sites• Factory-Industry sites

GIS of A. Priority Commodities: Pili, Coconut, Abaca, Pineapple and other Fi-ber Materials…B.Minerals and other Geologic DepositsC.Potential Ecologic – Tourist Attraction Areas

• Relevance of BS Biol-ogy Curriculum and Em-ployment of its Gradu-ates• Tracer Studies for Computer Science Graduates• Tracer Studies for Chemistry Graduates

Biology Dept.

Physics Dept.

C h e m i s t r y and Biology Depts.C h e m i s t r y and Biology Depts.

C h e m i s t r y Depts.

P h y s i c s Depts.

C h e m i s t r y and Biology Depts.

All Depart-ments headed by the Chem-istry Dept.

Computer Sci-ence Dept.

Biology Dept.

C o m p u t e r Science Dept.C h e m i s t r y Dept.

f(to be continued on page 16)

BU R & D THEMES CS PRIORITIES PROGRAMS/PROJECTS DEPT. INVOLVED2. BU Instruction-Research Facilities Evaluation and Management

• Evaluation of University Instruction- Research Facilities and Capabilities• Establishment & Standardization of

Laboratory Facilities • BU Waste Assessment for

Management Opportunities (BUWAMO) • Establishment & Management of

Natural Field Laboratory and Museum of

Natural History• Provision of Laboratory Facilities for

Faculty & student Researches• Post-UHSSMTC Training Evaluation

and Comprehensive Characterization and Information system Development of Basic and Tertiary science and Mathematics

Education in Region 5 - Correlates of Gen Chemistry

students and the CPTC Performance in Gen Chemistry

• Science / Mathematics Process Skills of BU Entrants

• Action Cum-Researches in coordination with the Cs Extension service Center

Math Department

All Depts led by Laboratories Dept.Chemistry Dept.

Biology Dept.

Laboratories Dept.

All depts. In coordination with RsTC and PMO

Chemistry Dept

Math Dept. with all other departments

All Departments led by the Extension service

III. Food security and Poverty Reduction (FsPR)

Protein Profiling / Genetic Characterization of High Valued Crops

Biodiversity Assessment and Eco-Tourism Program

1. Protein Profiling of Pili at BUCAF Germplasm

2. Biotoxin Monitoring of sorsogon Bay3. DICOREMAP4. Resource, Ecological and social

Assessment of Ticao Island, Masbate: Towards the Rationale Exploitation and sustainable Management and Development of its Key Coastal Resources. (TICBUR)

Chem Dept., Biology Dept. in a joint project with BUCAF under the Pili ProgramChemistry Dept. All DepartmentsAll Departments

IV. Improving Basic social services Delivery

• Development of IS and other software systems for GOs, NGOs and other service Providers in Region V

• Development of IS Computer science Dept.

V. Enhancing the Competitiveness of business and industry

Products Development A. Product development On Abaca and other major fibers produced in the Bicol Region

1. Development of dyeing technology thru the use of indigenous materials, matching the applicability to abaca fibers

2. Improvement of the fire retardancy of abaca fibers/products

3.Post-harvest treatments to reduce fungal infection

B. shelf Life / Preservation / Quality Assurance of Major Bicol Delicacies

Chemistry and Biology Dept., in coordination with FIDA , PhilExport / BEC , DTI

Chemistry Dept.

VI. Gender and Development

•GIS Studies GIs studies· GAD-related RD and E in Region V· Experts / Professionals /

Technologists…

Computer science Dept.

(BU College of Science Research....(from p. 15 )f

Photos from BU Researchers’ Writeshop

Documents

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