DOST-SEI holds online Exit Conference for Graduating Scholars

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) hosted its graduating scholars in a half-day online exit conference last March 26 to remind them of the true essence of being national science scholars.

The event was done online for the first time, and was attended by scholars from all over the country. A total of 703 participants composed of graduating undergraduate scholars; guest speakers; university representatives; and DOST officials convened for the activity.

The conference, headlined by the theme “Renewing S&T Scholars Commitment to the Filipino People in the New Normal,” featured talks from government agencies and notable scholar-graduates to prepare attendees on life after graduation.

In her Welcome Remarks, SEI Director Josette T. Biyo expressed hope that the talks will ignite among scholars the desire to serve the country and that the service obligation turn to something they are “willing to do rather than supposed to do.” She likewise congratulated them for their perseverance, consistency and dedication to reach the milestone and gave assurance that SEI shall continue to root for them.

DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, meanwhile, spoke proudly of producing not only experts but also patriotic scholars, noting those who started volunteer initiatives in the COVID-19 relief in their respective regions.

“We’re confident that as DOST Scholars, you are sure to leave imprints in your work wherever you may go,” said the DOST chief.

Succeeding talks from DOST-SEI reminded the scholars of their scholarship obligations as well as introduced local and international Graduate Scholarship opportunities available for those wanting advanced degrees. Department of Education’s (DepEd) Ruby Chanda Crisostomo also briefed attendees on DepEd’s Hiring Arrangements for RA 10612/RA 7687 Scholars, while Department of Labor of Employment–National Capital Region’s Ryan Roberto Delos Reyes described the current labor market and presented insights on job application in the new normal.

Concluding the conference was Dr. Jose Ernie Lope, Batch 1991 DOST-SEI Merit scholar and now Professor at the Institute of Mathematics of the University of the Philippines – Diliman, who shared his inspiring journey from being a DOST scholar to now being one of the country’s pillars in mathematics education

Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor converted into an isolation facility amid the surge of COVID-19 cases

 

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility in Manila South Harbor, which was converted into an isolation facility amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, formally opened yesterday, 26 April 2021.

The conversion of the quarantine facility, which is being managed and operated by the DOTr Maritime sector since 2020, was made possible through the initiatives of the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

To recall, the PPA and PCG initiated the retrofitting of the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal due to the continuous rise of COVID-19 cases in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR). Initially, the facility was set up to merely accommodate repatriated seafarers and OFWs who are required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine. With the conversion and retrofitting, asymptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms can now be accommodated and treated in the facility.

According to Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, patients who are asymptomatic and with mild symptoms will be attended to in an isolated quadrant identified as Section A. This section has a 55-bed capacity. Section A can also serve as a step-down care facility for recovering patients. GM Santiago also has assured that the agency is ready to expand bed capacity should the need arises.

"Makakaasa po kayo na kung kakailanganing magdagdag ng pasilidad po para ma-expand 'yung 55-bed capacity na 'to, handa po ang Philippine Ports Authority at ang Philippine Coast Guard, sa ilalim po ng Department of Transportation, na tayo po ay makipag-kapit-bisig sa Department of Health at iba pa pong ahensya para matugunan po ang pangangailangang ito."

At present, the Eva Macapagal Super Terminal Quarantine Facility has a 211-bed capacity divided into four (4) sections for patients, health staffers, and other essential workers. Aside from Section A, Section B will house the health staff and other essential workers, while Sections C and D will continuously cater to personnel of the PCG and PPA who contracted the virus but are asymptomatic or showing mild symptoms.

"Kung matatandaaan po natin, noong Agosto po ng 2020 o last year, sa direktiba po ni Secretary Arthur Tugade at sa tulong pong pampinansyal ng Lopez Group of Companies, kinonvert po natin ang Eva Macapagal Super Terminal para maging quarantine facility po ng ating mga seafarers, 'yung mga dumadating pong tripulante po na mga Pilipino na pauwi po sa kanilang tour of service from the cruise ships at iba pang cargo vessels," GM Santiago said.

Meanwhile, DOTr Undersecretary for Administrative Affairs Artemio Tuazon Jr., who represented DOTr Secretary Arthur P. Tugade in the walk-through event, stressed the DOTr’s commitment in helping the national government, particularly the health sector, in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Itong conversion po at paggamit ng Eva Macapagal Super Terminal bilang isolation facility ay nagpapakita po ng pagtutulungan ng ating buong gobyerno. Ang DOTr, sa pamumuno po ni Secretary Tugade, ay sumusuporta po at patuloy na susuporta sa lahat 'ho ng inisiyatibo ng IATF at ng DOH, upang mapuksa itong COVID-19," Usec. Tuazon asserted

(DOTr-OTS intercepts 1,880 prohibited items at various airports nationwide

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Transportation’s Office for Transportation Security (DOTr-OTS) intercepted a total of 1,880 prohibited items at various airports nationwide for the entire month of March.

Forty-nine (49) of the intercepted items were suspected live bullets, while 81 were “non-live” bullets kept as amulets, or shell casings taken as souvenirs from firing ranges.

Since 2016, under the strict instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte and DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade, bullets kept as amulets or souvenirs by passengers are simply confiscated and recorded. The passenger is then allowed to continue with the flight without any undue delay.

Meanwhile, 1,750 items of the total number seized included lighters, liquid items in containers of more than 100 mL, air guns, knives, scissors, workers’ tools, cutters, and other similar sharp and pointed objects.

Pagadian Airport reported the highest number of intercepted security restricted items with 31 incidents and 644 items, followed by Tacloban Airport with 24 incidents and 399 assorted security restricted items intercepted.

OTS Administrator Undersecretary Raul L. Del Rosario lauded the vigilance of OTS airport Security Screening Officers (SSOs) who act as the first line of defense at the airport.

“Pansin natin na pataas nang pataas 'yung vigilance ng ating airport SSOs despite the pandemic na kakaunti 'yung volume ng mga bumibyahe. Nakita rin natin na malaki ang naging tulong dito nung mga karagdagang advanced x-ray machines at other security screening equipment na nabili natin noong mga nakaraang buwan. 'Yung bawat sentimo ng budget na binibigay sa amin, sisiguraduhin namin na mapapakinabangan nang malaki ng mga Pilipino,” Usec. del Rosario said.

“Magmula noong pandemic, siniguro rin natin 'yung health and safety ng mga pasahero at pati na 'yung aming mga empleyado. Kaya in line doon sa ICAO standards and recommended practices, nag-issue kami noon ng policy on Modified Security Screening, kung saan effectively, na-minimize natin yung physical contact ng mga tao through the use of advanced security screening technologies gaya ng full body scanner at hand held metal detectors,” he added.