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Huwebes, Nobyembre 11, 2021
Martes, Nobyembre 9, 2021
Biyernes, Nobyembre 5, 2021
DOST-ITDI to Open First Metrology in Chemistry Lab in the Philippines
Established by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), the 1900 m2, 4-story MiC Laboratory is located on Saliksik Street in the Science Complex in Bicutan, Taguig City. It will gather in hundreds from the food and water industry sectors and science communities as it officially opens its services to the public on Tuesday.
DOST-ITDI Director, Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, admitted that "It took us quite a while, a decade actually, to establish our chemical testing services and house it in one of the most economically vital and heavily invested infrastructures in metrology.
DOST-ITDI created the MiC Laboratory to help local testing laboratories comply with traceable chemical measurements by producing reference materials (RMs) and conducting accuracy-based Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes.
What makes RMs valuable is how it supports the results of measurement laboratories to ensure that commodities can pass stringent international trade standards on food quality and control. MiC thus aims to reduce the detention and recall of Philippine products for export.
But, while highly characterized, authenticated control materials, such as RMs, are vital in food testing, the Philippines took time to develop these. Finally, through the MiC Laboratory of DOST-ITDI, these are readily available.
Dr. Benilda S. Ebarvia, the former project leader of the MiC Team who conceptualized the establishment of the laboratory, explained that chemical testing and production of RMs or referencing is time-consuming.
She added that the referencing process requires skills that need to be learned and honed through the years adding that, "RM development has to be matched with appropriate, state of the art – that means very expensive - equipment. Staff who will be using the equipment and devices have to be trained to use, maintain, and troubleshoot the same.
Currently, most Philippine food manufacturers rely on RMs purchased overseas like the US, UK, Japan, China, and Thailand. RMs are pretty pricey; one material per food product may cost from Php15,000 to Php30,000. Further, these are updated continually.
To date, DOST-ITDI has developed RMs on trace presence of toxic metals in drinking water (manganese, nickel, cobalt, and iron), benzoic acid in banana catsup, sulfite as a preservative in dried mango, and histamine (a chemical indication of food spoilage) in dried salinas fish.
This year, it hopes to complete the development of 15 RMs on trace presence of pesticides in fresh mango, and other fruits and vegetables; and presence of veterinary drug residues such as salbutamol in pork meat; and 3-Amino-5-morpholino ethyl-2-oxazolidone or AMOZ in fish, among others.
Early works include RMs on the presence of trace heavy metals in water, such as lead, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, nickel, zinc, cobalt, and magnesium. As well, an RM on calcium, a reactive metal in water, was developed. These metals are toxic and noted for their potential toxicity in the environment.
Through referencing, the MiC Laboratory stands to cut costs on purchasing RMs abroad by our local food and water industries. Further, it aims to ensure that local products pass international trade standards to avoid product recall or detention, a scenario that is too costly and damaging for our economy.
The MiC Laboratory is monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) under a five-year program on capabilities enhancement of the National Metrology Laboratory of the Philippines. (AMGuevarra\ DOST-ITDI S&T Media Service)
Lunes, Nobyembre 1, 2021
No Contact Policy: MMDA REMINDERS
MMDA reminders:
Starting this novenber 15, the NO CONTACT POLICY shall be enforced. This means that no MMDA traffic enforcer will flag down any driver for any traffic violation on the road but instead, will monitor violations onscreen via the CCTV camera.
Consequently, car registered owners will be informed of violations via post mail and shall be given only 5 days to contest the violations. If the MMDA office does not receive any contest after 10 days, MMDA shall effect a prescribed fine and shall indicate or show the fine during registration renewal.
Please remind yourself whenever you drive or your driver to remember to:
1. Buckle up (this includes all passengers in the car - the CCTV camera is so accurate as to show if passengers are properly buckled up);
2. Maintain lanes for private vehicles (the yellow lanes will strictly be for buses and public utility vehicles) unless you are turning right;
3. Shift lanes only on broken lines (and never on solid lines, more so on double yellow lines);
4. Shift one lane at a time (shifting two lanes will be considered swerving);
5. Never be on the road on coding days (except, of course, at window times). Marikina and Taguig do not follow the coding scheme so you are free to drive around these two cities on weekdays;
Makati and Las Piñas have no window times so don't even attempt to go there on your coding day;
6. Never use the phone to call nor text while on the wheels (remember, the CCTV camera can detect this even in the dark). It is advised that you pull over if you have to text or call. Spread the word; inform your loved ones.
Celebs #JoinTheBoobment with Avon
For the past 30 years, Avon has relentlessly advocated for Breast
Cancer Awareness—
donating over $939 million in the fight against the disease, educating
more than 180 million people about Breast Cancer, and funding breast health screenings for
over 16.4 million women all over the world.
In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Avon Philippines
asked women to
#JoinTheBoobment to promote monthly breast self-
checks in order to detect early signs of Breast Cancer. With 3 in every
100 Filipinas diagnosed before they reach the age of 75, the Philippines has one of the highest number of cases across Asia.
Representing the Boobment
To highlight this important statistic, Avon Philippines held a photoshoot featuring three
personalities whose lives were affected by Breast Cancer. The symbol
for Breast Cancer
awareness, the Pink Ribbon, became the key visual element during the
shoot led by celebrity photographer, Andrea Beldua.
“Here, the ribbon is interpreted through a flowing tulle that represents
women’s strength and resilience even in the toughest times,” explains Andrea. “I am so
fascinated by the female form that almost my whole body of work revolves around it. So it is only right that I photograph women who are empowered, women who are survivors of this disease.” she adds.
Should you detect anything peculiar or out of the ordinary, don’t worry
because Avon
Philippines is in partnership with the online teleconsultation app,
Konsulta MD, so more
women can take action for their health 24/7. Free Breast Consultations are available until
November 20, 2021 for the first 500 individuals to avail – just use the voucher code PINKRIBBON.
For those who want to extend their participation in the fight against Breast Cancer, you may also #JoinTheBoobment by availing limited-edition fundraising items available at avonshop.ph including the Self-Check Watch, the Breast Cancer Promise Umbrella, the Empower non-wire Mastectomy Bra and Bra Prosthesis, or donate via G-Cash. All proceeds will go to the Philippine Cancer Society.
Breast Cancer is not something that should be taken lightly, but it’s also not something to be afraid of. Early detection saves lives that’s why it’s important to know
the risks, the signs, and the actions to take should you encounter it—that is the Avon Breast Cancer Promise.
Don’t have an Avon Representative? Visit www.avon.ph or like and
check out Avon
Philippines on Facebook to find out how you can shop your favorite Avon products!
About Avon
Avon has been doing beauty differently for 135 years. Avon is a company that connects people, using the power of beauty to transform lives for the better. Millions of independent sales Representatives across the world sell iconic Avon brands through their social networks, building their own beauty businesses on a full- or part-time basis. Avon stands for gender equality, and
we believe in listening to women’s needs, speaking out about issues
that matter and creating positive change. Through Avon and the Avon Foundation we’ve donated over $1.1billion, with a focus on tackling gender violence and breast cancer. Avon is part of the Natura & Co Group.
Learn more at www.avonworldwide.com.
Miyerkules, Oktubre 27, 2021
Halal Personal Care Research Tops 2021 MMHRDC Poster Competition: STD-ITDI Bests 20 Agencies
A poster research of the Standards and Testing Division (STD-ITDI) on Halal-compliant personal care products took the top spot in the Professional Poster Competition during the 2021 MMHRDC 5th International Symposium and 12th Annual Scientific Conference held on September 24-25, 2021.
The Trinity University of Asia (TUA), located in Quezon City, hosted the 2021 Metro Manila Health Research and Development Consortium symposium and scientific conference. It gathered 21 national and international agencies for the professional category of the poster research competition.
Following the theme “COVID-19 Pandemic Realities: Equitable Initiatives for a Healthy JUAN,” the entry “Halal-Compliant Personal Care Products: Promoting Health and Hygiene Amidst the COVID-19" is part of an ongoing project of STD on Benchscale Production, Validation of Optimized Parameters, and Sensory Evaluation for the Market Research of Halal Cosmetics and Toiletries. It aimed to provide personal care products that are formulated using Halal-compliant ingredients and produced following guidelines in the Shariah.
The team, led by Dr. Rosalinda C. Torres, Scientist I and serving as Chief of STD, includes Ma. Rachel V. Parcon, Chelsea Kate Jose, Danielle Camille Canillo, Dana Taladro, and Harvy Jay Esmundo.
Together the team developed two Halal-compliant personal care products, which includes a moisturizing and whitening soap, and several variants of a shampoo with hair growth promoting properties.
Dr. Torres explains that, "The development of these Halal-compliant products will cater to the religious laws of a continuously growing global Muslim population. There are currently 1.8 billion Muslims in the world; 10.7 million of these are Muslim-Filipinos residing in the country."
Further, she added that, several cosmetic and personal care products in the market are posing potential safety issues due to their composition which includes a complex mixture of harmful chemical ingredients.
US researchers report that one in eight of the 82,000 ingredients used in personal care products are industrial chemicals, including carcinogens, pesticides, reproductive toxins, and hormone disruptors.
Dr. Torres, thus would like to highlight the importance of not only taking into consideration the Halal integrity, safety, and cleanliness of food products, but also to consider products that are most likely being absorbed by the skin and could also be inhaled and ingested, like lipsticks, lip tints, and lip balms.
MMHRDC aims to strengthen collaboration among health research institutions in Metro Manila, as well as develop and enhance their research capacity. The Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) steers MMHRDC through its core agencies, namely DOST-PCHRD, DOST-NCR, DOH-NCR, CHED-NCR, and UP-NIH. Currently, MMHRDC has 43 member institutions. (AMGuevarra\\TSD-ITDI)
Linggo, Oktubre 24, 2021
Achieving Sustainable Development Goals with Corporate Technology Framework Adoption
The 2020s present a global challenge for us all as problems were paramount from the pandemic, the extreme effects of climate change and the still growing global population that raises concerns on the sustainability of this planet’s co-habitation.
We as citizens, businesses and corporations are called upon to think of ways to help the future be more sustainable, habitable and inclusive for all. This mindset began with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) outreach programs and it pave the way for a more passionate and creative mindset on how we can do more --- able to utilize our talents, programs and specializations in forming ground-breaking sustainability solutions that spin out from the usual business and technology solutions.
One of the biggest promising solutions in creating life-changing and game-changing solutions on sustainability is the utilization of solutions framework --- retrofitted out of business use cases into social use cases that aim to benefit communities, ecological diversity and help solve sustainability challenges.
Frontier Technology for Frontier Sustainability
Sustainability is at the frontier of our future and with every considerable solutions being thought about to ensure the co-habitation and preserving the world’s endangered bio-diversity. With technology changing industries to pivot to automation, the said emerging technologies for frontier technology could equally serve for a greater pivot to cleaner, greener, net-zero and a more sustainable portfolio for the environment. These frontier technologies are: 3D Printing, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Quantnum Computing among others. Their high impact utilization business and industries have proven to gain new grounds on efficiency and seamlessness in processes. With the same use case pivot, these frontier technologies can be utilized to contribute immensely to the world’s sustainable development challenges.
• Achieving net-zero emissions
• Measure performance and grading of sustainability and environmental impact
• Enforce greater responsibility and transparency on business & industrial impact on the
environment and contribution to climate change
• Enact a consortium of sustainable and environment-friendly framework for mass
adoption
• Helping developing nations to fast track their economic growth without compromising
environment and social sustainability
• Collaborate on the most immense and intensive environmental problems with a co-opted
solutions framework
Development and Sustainability Framework Mindset
In retro-fitting business and industry solutions to be made applicable to help boost sustainability efforts globally, the solutions cycle of R&D, immersive analytics, gauging performance indicators, engaging stakeholders and utilization of key technologies will help fast track the development of tech-aided sustainability solutions geared towards societal inclusivity and sustainable development:
• R&D for greener and more ecological businesses
• Renewability and Circular economy for households, communities and regions
• Mitigating the impact of climate change to lessen weather extremities
• Giving a blueprint for sustainable development goals to developing countries so they
don’t fall into the loop of pollutants that were achieved by the G7 in their development
years.
• Incentivising cleaner and greener net-zero energy production
• Investing in sustainable and green bonds
In history, technology has alleviated society from diseases, unsafe drinking water, sanitation in living and overall a better quality of life. As the world races to ensure that the future is deemed more sustainable and co-habitable with our endangered natural diversity, technology will play a major part in reinventing how we do business, how we impact the environment and how we can be agents in preserving and co-existing with nature.
About DynaQuest
DynaQuest is an award-winning Blockchain solutions provider with the focus on developing high level solutions design for a more sustainable and efficient economical industries. From sustainable frameworks with Blockchain and a more inclusive society through digital identity management and fintech integration, DynaQuest is working with private sustainability groups in creating solutions for frontier markets.
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