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PAGASA warns of heat stroke during summer

PAGASA warns of heat stroke during summer

Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) - April 30, 2018 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday warned the public against heat stroke and other heat-related diseases as hotter days are expected in May.

“It will be warmer this May, the worst has yet to come,” said Ana Liza Solis, officer-in-charge of PAGASA’s climate monitoring and prediction section.

She said in Northern Luzon the forecast maximum temperature this May is 39.6 degrees Celsius.

In Metro Manila, the hottest recorded so far this year was 35.4 degrees Celsius.

Solis advised the public to drink lots of water and wear light-colored clothes this summer.

Solis also said La Niña is weakening in the tropical Pacific, with likely transition to neutral condition this April or May.

A neutral condition means there is no El Niño or La Niña that could disrupt the country’s normal climate and weather patterns, including rainfall and temperature in the coming months.

“Most of the forecasts by climate prediction centers predict La Niña will decay and return to ENSO-neutral,” Solis said, referring to El Niño Southern Oscillation.

PAGASA also expects a normal start of the rainy season this year.

Solis said one or two tropical cyclones may enter the country in May. “The entry of a tropical cyclone may trigger the onset of the rainy season.”

Read more at https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/30/1810719/pagasa-warns-heat-stroke-during-summer#LdFB5tzDFyHeSJoG.99

Mga estudyante at guro, hihikayatin sa siyensiya at teknolohiya

April 20, 2018 Filed under Opinyon Posted by Angelli Catan

Mula sa PNA

PINAIGTING pa ng Department of Science and Technology (DoST) ang kampanya nito sa pagsusulong ng kamulatan sa mga estudyante at guro tungkol sa siyensiya at teknolohiya.

Ayon kay Luningning Domingo, Director IV ng National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), ipinag-utos ni DoST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña ang pagpupursige upang maunawaan ng publiko ang siyensiya, at ihandog sa mamamayan ang mga benepisyo nito.

“This is also why the DoST carries the tagline, ‘Science for the People’,” sabi ni Domingo.

Bilang ahensiyang nakapaloob sa DoST, dadalhin ng NAST ang mga siyentista sa mga eskuwelahan sa iba’t ibang rehiyon sa bansa. Layunin nitong hikayatin ang mga estudyante na piliing magkaroon ng career sa siyensiya at teknolohiya.

Sinabi ni Domingo na nagpadala rin ang DoST ng mga tagapagsalita mula sa Science Education Institute (SEI) sa iba’t ibang eskuwelahan upang talakayin ang tungkol sa mga scholarship na maaaring mapakinabangan ng mga estudyante.

“Because oftentimes, students may be interested, but they do not know how they could pursue a career in science due to financial constraints, for instance,” paliwanag ni Domingo.

Dadalhin din ng NAST ang mga siyentista sa mga rehiyon upang gabayan ang mga guro sa paghahanda ng kani-kanilang prepare research proposal, partikular para sa pandaigdigang paglalathala.

“Normally, the teachers have case studies and they need to partner with universities to do the research. Our scientists are here to guide them how to prepare proposals,” sabi ni Domingo.

Malaking tulong ang presensiya ng mga siyentista sa mga rehiyon para sa mga estudyante at mga guro, dahil hindi na nila kakailanganin pang mamasahe para magtungo sa Metro Manila, ayon kay Domingo.

Tinukoy ni Domingo ang mga plano ng DoST upang magtatag ng Philippine Science Heritage Center bilang isang “world-class science center”.

Inilahad din ni Domingo na nagtakda na rin ang NAST ng dalawang pandaigdigang pulong ngayong taon.

Aniya, sa susunod na buwan idaraos ang unang international meeting, na dadaluhan ng piling medical practitioner.

Ang isa pang pulong sa Oktubre ay inorganisa naman ng UK Academy of Science.

DOST introduces new water filtration technology

JENNIE P. ARADO

A NEW water filtration system is being pilot tested in Davao City.

Mirasol Domingo, assistant regional director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Davao Region, said three food processors, including Porky Best Food, are using the Vertical Helophyte Filtration System (VHFS).

On the sidelines of the Habi at Kape press conference, Domingo said the DOST allotted P100,000 for the pilot testing of the VHFS.

VHFS is a technology adapted from the Netherlands, where it is used in households.

In Davao Region, after Dutch water engineering and waste management expert Sean Ligvoet introduced the technology to DOST, the government agency is eyeing to first use it in food processing establishments and small businesses.

The facility filters filthy water and cleans it so that it can be reused.

“The cleaned water will not be potable anymore. But you can use for watering the plants and washing the car,” said Domingo.

During the pilot testing that started last year, Domingo said they are collecting samples of clean water quarterly to test its cleanliness. As it is still a very early testing, she said they could not yet conclude anything out of the project.

Aside from the three food processing establishments in the city that are already using VHFS in their facility, Domingo said they are currently finalizing talks with the city government to establish an 10 times bigger version of VHFS in the Davao City slaughterhouse. This project is tagged as Sani Embankment Project.

“This project had been reviewed by the Committee on Environment and it is ready to go. The drafted memorandum of agreement had already been approved so it is ready for signing of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. The mayor is also supportive of this project,” said Domingo, adding that they look forward to the mayor signing the MOA probably by next month.

According to Domingo, from the slaughter area, the waste water will drain down to the holding area of waste water. Here, a helophyte system will be installed to the filter the water before it would flow through the canals.

“I think in the future it is something we can showcase,” said Domingo.