CapSU FITS centers on the move

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

To prepare to achieve optimum performance as a partner member agency of the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), the Capiz State University (CapSU) Techno Gabay Team—led by Team Leader Eduardo Navarra, university extension specialist—led the second bimonthly meeting with the old and new Farmers Information and Technology Services (FITS) Centers in the province of Capiz Feb. 23, 2011 at the FITS Center Dumalag in Poblacion, Dumalag, Capiz.

After Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, WESVARRDEC Regional Techno Gabay Group (RTGG) Coordinator briefed the participants on the consortium’s Techno Gabay modality, Navarra monitored the activities and updates of the managers from six attending FITS Centers.

MAY BUASDAMLAG SA DUMALAG
Participants showcase the bamboo giveaways from the FITS Dumalag hosts.
These and other items of Dumalag Bamboo Crafts Producers Cooperative 

are sold at the bagsakan center situated at downtown Dumalag.

Among others, FITS OPA Capiz Manager Audie Belargo shared to the group a sampling of IEC materials which his office churned out recently, while FITS Dao Manager Susan Dordas stressed on organic technologies being widely promoted and practiced in her municipality.

Meanwhile, Ivisan FITS Manager Letecia Andrada—being new to the WESVARRDEC family—sought to be oriented on the consortium and the Techno Gabay modality. Andrada came to the meeting with her prospective MS Roosevelt Villarde, and their Technology Services Specialist (TSS) and Information Services Specialist (ISS).

TG Team Leader Navarra announced that nominated MSs of the newly launched FITS centers will be pre-evaluated in the second week of March and will be formally evaluated by WESVARRDEC within the same month.

Mr. Roosevelt Villarde and his coco shell products are being recommended for FITS Ivisan; Mr. Restituto Babao, Jr. engaged in corn production is recommended by OPA Capiz; and Mr. Wilfredo Corcino of Dao is being endorsed for his natural farming system practice and organic technologies.

Both appointed in 2010, MS Randy Fancubila of Dumalag is engaged in bamboo engineering while MS Igmedio Llamelo of Jamindan is involved in abaca nursery and plantation.

Further, to prepare materials that can be used for the upcoming Techno Gabay summit in May 2011, the team agreed to hold an IEC writing workshop to be led by WESVARRDEC’s Regional Applied Communications Group (RACG) in the second week of April this year. In the proposed two-day writing workshop, to be attended by ISS and MS of each FITS, functional promotional materials on the MS and FITS products are expected to be published which shall be given out in the product exhibits in the May Techno Gabay Summit.

Before the meeting adjourned, Jamindan FITS Manager Remedios Llamelo acting in behalf of other FITS managers, moved to draft a resolution asking Congressman Baby Jane Castro of the second district of Capiz to donate one unit of multi-cab for each of the FITS centers.

The CapSU meeting was generously hosted and supported by FITS Center Dumalag led by FITS Manager Ronelyn de Tomas, TSS Teresita Badilla and ISS Bernie Protacio. 

CapSU development researcher sets high hopes on R&D

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Graduated Bachelor of Science major in Agricultural Engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1978, Calinog-born Pedro Mallorca Celo, started work at the Capiz State University (then Panay State PolytechnicCollege) in 1985.

Prior to working in CapSU, Celo worked for the National Irrigation Administration’s Jalaur River Multipurpose Project, a four-irrigation system which operated in Jalaur River, Dingle; Mina; Aganan, San Miguel’ and Sta Barbara, all in the province of Iloilo. In the said period from 1978 to 1981, Celo gained relevant technical knowledge on efficient water management and planning and water management and land use systems. Until now, the said irrigation systems are in place.

Born in 1952, Engr. Celo is currently Associate Professor V at CapSU Burias Campus who is in charge of the Post-Harvest and Food Processing Engineering of the Department of Agricultural Engineering under the College of Agriculture and Forestry. Celo’s current post includes agricultural food processing and environmental engineering.

In 1995, Celo started being active in research. The thesis adviserships given him by the College allowed Celo to consider research for good. There Celo came to know that research work has to be geared towards solving a problem, based on observations. Research results are to be utilized—to solve an existing problem within the field, so as to improve agricultural productivity.

For one, engaging in innovative processes or developing machines—developing technologies—addresses specific problem or need, always helps address the need to improve the livelihood of its end users.

Engr. Celo (bottom left photo) takes part in the R&D symposium led
by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges,
an aggregate of eleven state universities and colleges in Western Visayas.

In the field of research, development starts with a concept. The researcher prepares a design of a process or a machine. Then after he fabricates the technology, he tests and evaluates, and leads to conduct the pilot testing. Then the technology’s adoption and commercialization should follow.

Through the years, Celo has undertaken a number of development technologies. In early 2000s, Celo has developed saba mechanical chipper and cassava mechanical chipper. Celo also helped fabricate a kaong dehydrator in 2004 and a ginger grinder and extractor in 2006.

In the last three years, Celo’s engagement in research produced a number of useful technologies including a small-scale VCO mill in 2007, jatropha stove and Jatropha gas stove in 2009 and coco shell gas stove in 2010.

Celo considers these inventions relevant even as they render benefits and advantages to the environment. According to Celo, the fabricated gas stoves using agricultural wastes or byproducts as fuel could eventually replace the use of the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Celo acknowledges he has yet to see the extent of how the technologies he helped develop improved the lives of people in his locale. According to Celo, “we have yet to assess the impact of these interventions.” So far, the banana chipper their department once designed is presently being used by a multipurpose cooperative based in the province of Capiz.

For the 58-year old agricultural engineer, each technology they helped develop has pros and cons—each has significance. Developed technologies—even furnished with cost-and-return analysis—have trade-offs, always still open for in-depth study. Even if the technology produced is considered economically feasible today, six months from now may be a different story. “Lahat ng ginawa ko may sariling kontribusyon—masterpiece lahat ng mga ginawa ko,” Celo quips.

Through the years, Celo’s efforts in research have not gone unnoticed. His banana chipper project was cited second runner up by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC) in 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (Western Visayas) awarded Celo’s development projects.Among others, Celo’s VCO mill and banana chipper technologies have been recognized at the annual in-house reviews at the CapSU.

For Celo, things have yet to look up in research. “We have yet to conduct research using the state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.  If given the chance to use cutting-edge technologies, CapSU could pursue more in research.” For the seasoned researcher, outside source and government funding are most welcome as these could help enhance the research capabilities of SUCs.

CapSU retains DBM rating in 2010; research, extension post perfect scores

By Niño S. Manaog

University Extension Associate

Capiz State University

The Capiz State University has very satisfactorily performed as a government agency in the first six months of 2010. This is according to the result issued by the Department of Budget and Management who conducted for CapSU its agency performance review in the said period.

According to the review result released October 12, 2010, CapSU obtained an overall weighted rating f 5.50 over 7.25 perfect score, with an adjectival rating of Very Satisfactory. CapSU’s accomplishments scored high at 5.50, or Very Satisfactory, which is an aggregate score of its physical accomplishment, financial accomplishment and income accomplishment.

Both physical and financial accomplishments rated Very Satisfactory, while the income performance ranked Fair at 0.30.

Under Instruction, one of the components of CapSU’s physical performance, the weighted enrolled units recorded 5.75; faculty profile, 3.0; and merit scholarships, 3.50. Under the Qualitative area of physical accomplishments, CapSU’s accreditation status contributed 4.0 and its PRC performance posted 2.0.

According to the same report, both research and extension areas retained their last year’s figures and ratings. Under Research, four research outputs were cited by other researches, 24 were referred in other publications and some 28 researchers across the CapSU system were identified. All these components posted a weighted score of 7.0, the perfect score for the area. In Extension, the 16 recognized extension programs launched and conducted by CapSU’s Extension Institute posted the weighted perfect score of 3.50.

Employees of the CapSU Extension Institute, Poblacion, Mambusao, Capiz
(Clockwise from top left) Raul Ticar, Ph.D., Director; Eduardo Navarra,
Ceferino Lizada, Shirley Lizada, Antonio Buni, Winnie Estocada, Abner Villareal
Rector John Latoza, Mary Ann Lariza, Nino Manaog  (Not in photo).

According to Geronimo Gregorio, CapSU’s vice-president for research and extension, the ratings gained by research and extension compliment the performance of the employees working hard to carry out CapSU’s mission vision on research and extension.

Gregorio takes pride in the said achievement, saying, “We have accomplished what is expected of us—we produced the necessary output.” For Gregorio, the ratings in research and extension areas prove that “[we] have exceeded expectations.”