Tag Archives: SDG13

Technology Forum: “Handa KNB sa oras ng kalamidad?”

Posted on by
Reply

with reports from Kimberly Salamatin,  Arron Lucius Herbon and Christian Rieza

A technology forum was held at the New College of Arts and Sciences auditorium of the University of the Philippines Los Banos on September 11 during the Syensaya science festival for the benefit of barangay officials, municipal government staff, students, and other community stakeholders.

The activity aimed to disseminate information regarding calamities, as well as necessary preparations and response during calamities.

This year’s forum focused on calamity in light of the recent experience with typhoon Glenda that affected many parts of the country and caused heavy damage to property particularly in Los Banos.

Dr. Primo Garcia, chair of the Techno Forum Committee 2014, said that the forum is very timely because the affected people and communities find disaster preparedness relevant and necessary.

“Maraming naapektuhan noong Bagyong Glenda noong July, particularly sa UP Los Baños. Napapanahon po talaga ang topic natin at napag-isapan ng LBSCFI (Los Baños Science Community Foundation Inc. ) [na] ipamahagi sa mas malawak na audience ang mga isyu at mga kaalaman ukol sa disaster risk management,” Dr. Garcia said.

Barangay officials are the primary target of the techno forum because of their capability to effectively communicate information to their respective constituencies.

“Mas madali kasi kapag barangay officials ang nakakaalam kasi pwede silang magkaroon ng sarili nilang seminars at maituro nila ang mga natutunan nila sa kanilang nasasakupan,” Garcia added.

The forum featured Ms. Bernadeth Lucillo, chief meteorological officer at the National Agromet Station of PAGASA – UPLB, who lectured on the Hydrometeorological profile of Los Baños, Laguna.

The Philippine Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Act of 2010 was also discussed by Mr. Elvis Cruz, assistant regional director of the Office of Civil Defense of Region IV-A. The talk emphasized the importance of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management (NDRRM) plan in responding, recovering, and in the rehabilitation process concerning disasters and calamities.

“NDRRM is everybody’s concern. We can minimize disaster risk by becoming more responsible citizens even in our little own ways by getting involved in the NDRRM efforts of the government,” Cruz stressed.

Finally, Mr. Martin Q. Imatong, LGU Disaster Risk Reduction Management consultant, delivered a lecture on the possible disasters that could be experienced by the Los Baños community such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami, and typhoons. Mr. Imatong discussed on the precautionary measures that could be done by the community people for disaster preparedness.

The participants found the forum interesting and informative. However, according to Eng. Ruel Tanqueco, one of the participants, it would have been better had they been given materials or visual aids for reference during the discussion and for future use.

The forum was organized by LBSCFI in cooperation with its partner organizations namely: Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Administration (OVCA), Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA), Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)-Laguna, Department of Education (DepEd), and Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

The techno forum started several years ago to showcase technological advances to the people. It focuses on agriculture, water technology, and other innovations that benefit the local community.

CINTERLABS showcases 3D avatar-based virtual environment program

Posted on by
Reply

by Angelica P. Cenizal

The Computational Interdisciplinary Research Laboratories (Cinterlabs) of the Institute of Computer Science, University of the Philippines (UPLB) Los Baños participates in SyenSaya 2014  through an exhibit that showcases a 3D avatar-based virtual environment.

The project creates a virtual UPLB campus which can be used for a virtual campus tour. The application makes possible navigating through the buildings, feeling the environment, and having a glimpse of the university.

It can also be used as a virtual classroom. Students can create their own avatar and, as long as they are connected to the website or to the same network of the application, they can see other avatars as if in a classroom setup. They can also interact with one another through chat and voice, and do simple gestures such as raising their hands. The users are also allowed to upload files.

This project, however, is still in its beta phase. Not all buildings in the campus are ready for navigation yet, as the developers have only finished the buildings for the Main Library, Student Union, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), CAS Annexes 1 & 2, Institute of Physical Sciences, and Institute of Biological Sciences.

There’s no definite date on when this program will go live.

Los Baños welcomes Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese

Posted on by
Reply

By: Kamille Anne Anarna

Residents of Los Baños and nearby communities gathered at the St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish (STCJP) in Los Baños to welcome the pilgrim relics of St. Therese.

The pilgrim relics was transferred from Camp Vicente Lim to STCJP through motorcade, with short stopovers: Camp Eldridge, Rhodas Subdivision, Umali Subdivision, UPLB freedom park, Putho, Collegeville, Pleasant Village and Hillside.

The pilgrim relics, moved via motorcade along Lopez Avenue, Brgy. Batong Malake, was welcomed by students of Lopez Elementary School, Colegio de Los Baños and Los Baños National High school. At exactly 12:50 pm, the pilgrim relics arrived at the STCJP.

Bishop Bernard C. Cortez, DD, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Manila, and former STCJP priest presided the welcoming rites of the pilgrim relics.

The Veneration by pilgrims followed the welcoming rites immediately, which will continue until 12 midnight.

The Scheduled Activities are as follows:

FRIDAY, 01 February

12:01 AM onwards – Veneration except at

4-4:30 AM -Asalto

5:30 AM – Lauds

6:00 AM – Holy Eucharist

12:00 NN – Midday Prayers

5:00 PM – Vespers

5:30 PM – Pontifical Mass (Bshp. Leo M. Dorona, DDB, D.D.)

6:30 PM – Holy hour in honor of St. Therese

10:00 PM – Night Prayers

SATURDAY, 02 February

12:01 AM – 8:00 AM – Veneration except at

4:00-4:30 AM – Asalto

5:30 AM – Lauds

6:00 AM – Holy Eucharist and Farewell Rites

8:00 AM – The Pilgrim Relics leave STCJP for Lucena

There will also be a special blessing for those baptized Therese, Teresa, Teresita and Teresito during the Pontifical Masses.

This is the third visit of the pilgrim relics of St. Therese in the Philippines.

Brgy. Calo officials, tanods, residents team up for Operation Linis

Posted on by
Reply

ni Almon Kalibpatra Merep

Barangay Calo, Bay, conducted its Operation Linis last March 18. Operation Linis is a regular activity of the barangay, which is being conducted every Sunday. and it includes cleaning of the roadsides and canals. The activity started at 7 o’clock in the morning and end up at 10 am. Around 20 people joined this activity composed of barangay tanods, barangay officials, and residents of Brgy. Calo. This Sunday’s Operation Linis was conducted along the boundaries of Barangay Calo, San Nicolas, and San Augustine.

Barangay officials and tanods cutting off grass and cleared roadside in the Operation Linis site.

The barangay officials and tanod started to gather themselves in the Barangay hall around 6 am and prepared the tools. They held a meeting before they proceeded to the boundary area between Barangay Calo and San Nicolas.

After done with the boundary area of Barangay Calo and San Nicolas, the officials move to the other end of Barangay Calo, that is the boundary area between Barangay Calo and San Augustine.

Tanods deal with weeds and plant overgrowth as they clean the roadside in Calo-Augustine boundary.

In both areas that the officials went to clean, the residents nearby also helped them in cleaning. Some were even bringing their own cleaning equipments and calling their neighbors to come and help the officials and tanod.

Barangay Captain Renato R. Macahiya said that the Operation Linis started in 2002, the time since he became the chairperson of Barangay Calo.

Residents of Barangay Calo join the tanods and barangay officials in the Operation Linis.

He said that the officials never asked the residents to help them in the operation linis but the residents are informed about this activity.  “We do not want to bother the residents, but we do inform them about this activity. We want them to realize themselves about the important of a clean environment,” Brgy. Captain Macahiya explained.

Though the activity is scheduled every Sunday, it is being done only when needed. “I usually call for a meeting within the week if I want the Barangay to conduct the operation linis. The schedule is made regular, just to make sure that all the Barangay officials will always be ready to give their time on Sunday morning to do the cleaning duty,” Macahiya said.

According to Mr. Efren Villena, the Barangay Secretary, the barangay also accepts requests from the residents to clean their surroundings, as long as it is not a private subdivision. “The services that we give to the residents that make requests are also free,” he added.

Aside of Operation Linis, there are also River Clean-up and Clean-up drive as parts of the regular cleaning activities of Barangay Calo. The latter two clean-up activities are conducted once a month, and could be twice in special cases.