SPEAKERS BUREAU IN BATANES "The Role of Science in the Sustainable Development of the Environment"
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The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 2, conducted the Speakers Bureau with the theme Role of Science in the Sustainable Development of the Environment on March 5, 2015 at the Batanes State College, Basco, Batanes.
Ms. Nora T. Garcia, director of the Provincial Science and Technology Center in DOST Region 2 Batanes welcomed the speakers and participants of the activity. She thanked NAST PHL for bringing the experts to their province to talk about the unique biodiversity of Batanes, including its marine biodiversity and climate change.
Experts invited were: Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos, Scientist II from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Department of Agriculture; Engr. Glenn S. Banaguas, professor from De La Salle Araneta University; and Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez, director of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Museum of Natural History.
Dr. Santos talked about conserving the marine biodiversity of Batanes and the importance of using DNA barcoding in identifying organisms at the species level. He discussed the different uses of DNA barcoding and gave examples on its applications in Northern Philippines, including Batanes.
On the other hand, Dr. Gonzalez reiterated the biogeographic importance of Batanes islands to the conservation of Philippine biodiversity. According to him, there have been explorations in the past that tried to document the species endemic only to Batanes. However, there are still many unidentified and unrecorded species that need to be documented. His group plans to visit the Batanes again to further study the biodiversity of the ten islands.
On the other hand, Dr. Gonzalez reiterated the biogeographic importance of Batanes islands to the conservation of Philippine biodiversity. According to him, there have been explorations in the past that tried to document the species endemic only to Batanes. However, there are still many unidentified and unrecorded species that need to be documented. His group plans to visit the Batanes again to further study the biodiversity of the ten islands.
Finally, Engr. Banaguas discussed the importance of studying the impacts and risks of long-term climate variability on the agricultural sector. His discussion revolved around the track of tropical cyclones in the last five (5) decades, the risks involved, impact to society as well as policies involved in adapting and mitigating climate change. He discussed the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), whose guiding principles are: (1) ensure that disaster risk reduction is a national and a local priority with strong institutional basis for implementation; (2) identify, assess, and monitor disaster risks and enhance early warning; (3) use knowledge, innovation and education to build a culture of safety and resilience at all levels; (4) reduce the underlying risk factors; and (5) strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at all levels.
During the open forum, one of the participants highlighted the importance of having scientific data to be able to declare Batanes as a UNESCO Heritage Site that should be protected and conserved.
The activity was attended by 84 participants from the academe, local government units, and business sector.
NAST PHL goes to Rizal
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Committed to the promotion of science and technology to the public, the Philippine Science Heritage Center brought the Meet Your Scientist program in Raises Academy, Angono, Rizal on February 06, 2015. More than 200 students and teachers attended the discussion about the different careers in science— physics and photonics, mathematics, and environmental science.
The experts who shared their experiences in their chosen field were Outstanding Young Scientists, Dr. Raphael Guerrero, professor at the Department of Physics, Ateneo de Manila University; Engr. Glenn Banaguas, professor at the De La Salle Araneta University; and Dr. Richard Lemence, professor at the Institute of Mathematics, University of the Philippines Diliman.
Also present to discuss the different scholarships DOST offers to students who would like to take a degree related to science and technology is Ms. Daisy Demoni, supervising science research specialist at DOST Science Education Institute.
PSHC will be holding monthly Meet Your Scientist this year. With this activity, the Academy hopes to help discover and unleash the science in the younger generations.
The PSHC is being managed and maintained by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST Philippines) as mandated by RA 9107. NAST Philippines is the country’s recognition and advisory body on matters related to science.
NAST PHL focuses on Environmental Chemical Pollutants and NCDs
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The Roundtable Discussion (RTD) on Environmental Chemical Pollutants and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) through its Mathematical and Physical Sciences Division (MPSD) on February 24, 2015 at Hotel Jen Manila.
The RTD discussed environmental chemical pollutants and their effects on health, and suggested ways on how to address the problems through identification of research gaps and policy recommendations.
Invited experts were Dr. Evangeline C. Santiago, head, Research and Analytical Services Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman; Dr. Catherine Lynn T. Silao, head, Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute of Human Genetics, National Institutes of Health, UP Manila; Dr. Emmanuel S. Baja, research associate professor of environmental epidemiology, Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health, UP Manila and visiting scientist, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health; and Dr. Eva S. Ocfemia, assistant director, Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DENR-EMB).
Dr. Santiago discussed the results of their monitoring of organic pollutants in river and coastal areas such as nonylphenol, bisphenol A (BPA), and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). According to Dr. Santiago, nonylphenol can be found in industrial detergents while BPA is commonly found in plastic containers, both of which are highly toxic to fish and humans. Moreover, POPs commonly found in pesticides were detected in river sediments and exposure to these produces various negative effects on body processes.
Consumption of contaminated fish and shellfish increases the exposure of humans to these pollutants. She further suggested monitoring of toxic organic pollutants in air, water, and food to manage the risk of population to the adverse health effects of these chemicals.