The Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System is now accepting applicants for the Lateral Admissions Qualifying Exams (LAQE) for incoming grade 8 in all PSHS campuses and incoming grade 9 for PSHS campuses except PSHS-ZRC for school year 2017-2018.

Established only last year, the PSHS-Zamboanga Peninsula Region Campus (PSHS-ZRC) aims to provide qualified, deserving students from private and public schools the chance to enter the PSHS System through the LAQE.

While the PSHS-ZRC does not have slots for Grade 9 lateral entrants, it is still considered as one of the testing centers. Applicants will then only need to choose their preferred PSHS campus during the examination.

Students who have finished Grade 7 or Grade 8 under the high school curriculum or the new K-12 curriculum outside the PSHS System may be allowed admission / entry to the PSHS provided that the following requirements are fulfilled:

• Applicant is a Filipino citizen with no pending application as immigrant to any foreign country
• Belongs to the upper 5% of the class or should have a grade of 85% and above in all subjects
• Should have a character rating of at least Very Satisfactory (VS) or its equivalent
• Must pass the qualifying exams in Mathematics, Science, and English

Application forms may be downloaded from http://pshs.edu.ph by clicking on the Application for Lateral Admission link. Applicants may also visit the nearest Department of Science and Technology (DOST) office, or the PSHS-ZRC at the Dipolog Sports Complex in Olingan, Dipolog City and look for Ms. Euney B. Guia, Campus Registrar.

Accomplished forms must be submitted to the nearest PSHS campus on or before April 17, 2017. The Examination is scheduled this April 26, 2017.

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

This year, the Department of Science and Technology IX (DOST-IX) honors women by conducting a series of FREE digital literacy trainings at the DOST-Science and Technology Information Center (DOST-STIC).  

For the whole month of March, women Barangay Health Workers and Nutrition Scholars, and Midwives will be introduced to modules on Basic Computer Operation, Word Processing, Spreadsheet Application Operations, and Presentation Software Basics.

Just recently, women from the City Health Office began training at the DOST-STIC office in San Jose, Zamboanga City.

Women from the City Health Office learn the basics of computer operation

While the month of March is dedicated to the city's fine women, the DOST-STIC still accepts groups interested in availing of the free e-learning courses.

Those interested in the program are required to form a group (minimum of 7 members, maximum of 10) to avail of the training. DOST-STIC requires the group to register and select their preferred session. Each session lasts for 4 hours and may be taken in the morning or afternoon.

A participant that successfully completes a course is awarded with the certificate of completion. Snacks and learning materials are also provided for free.

For more information, please call (062) 955-3654 or text 0917 708 5181 and look for Ian Avenido or us email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DOSTRegion9 (Bon Padayhag, DOST-IX Press Release)

In preparation for the 39th Annual Scientific Meeting on July, The National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST PHL) had recently held the Mindanao Regional Scientific Meeting on March 13-14 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

Guided by the theme: "Attaining Sustainable Development Goals: Fisheries 20/20", the first of three regional scientific meetings focused on the Philippine fishing industry and the relevant factors and avenues that affected it.

Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations had set 17 goals to “end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all”. These goals, known collectively as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), are to be attained within a 15-year span:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Heath and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Partnerships for the Goals

Life below Water

Seeing the significant link of the country's fishery resources to multiple SGDs, the NAST Agricultural Sciences Division focused on SDG 14, which brought forth the event's sessions:

Sustainable Sardine Production focused on the institutionalization / strict implementation of the seasonal fishing ban to help fish population recover from the fishing activities of the fishing industries, and the development of more effective tools in identifying optimal fishing periods to maximize sustainability.

The session on the Status of the Philippine Seaweed Industry saw figures on the current state of its production, import and export, and its standing on the local and international markets were presented.  The conduct of additional research on the effects of climate change on the industry was one of the priorities during the session.

The Fisheries Ecosystem session identified the need for a policy on the institutionalization of an ICT ecosystem for the fishery and aquatic resources in Mindanao, and the use of adaptive planning and management for the Agusan River Basin, with importance given to the Agusan Marsh.

Highlighted during the dialogue on Waste Management in the Sardine / Tuna Canning and Processing Industries was the need for research on using waste materials such as fish blood and oil for value-adding and / or conversion to other by-products.

The session on Fishing Boats examined current boat and net designs, while warranting the need for the development of newer, more effective models that would increase vessel stability and speed, as well as net durability and lifespan.

Finally, the Science Legislative Forum on Blue Economy emphasized a marine-based economic approach that integrates conservation and the practice of sustainable resource extraction and use. In conclusion, the session called for the support for the creation of a Department for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to better address the concerns of the marine sector.

For more information, please call (02) 837 3170 and look for Ms. Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo or send an Email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Bon Padayhag, DOST-IX Press Release)

            Each year, qualified upper-tier officials from both the government and private sector are invited to pit themselves against to an unforgiving, 220-item, 2-hour-and-55-minute-long test known as the Career Executive Service Written Exam (CES WE).

            Participants of the CES WE are subjected to 7 sub-tests: Error Recognition, Reading Comprehension, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning, Information, Management Concepts and Problems and Essays.

            A total of 312 individuals took the CES WE on December 4, 2016; proving true to the exam's tremendous level of difficulty, only less than half (49.36%) had passed.

            Landing the fourth spot is the Department of Science and Technology IX's (DOST-IX) Supervising Science Research Specialist, Rosemarie S. Salazar, with a rating of 89.11%.

                   Branching from her supervisory capacities are 5 divisions: the Regional Standards and Testing Laboratories (RSTL), the Science and Technology Information Center (STIC), Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM), IT and Knowledge Management, and the Consortia and Special Projects.

            Only recently, her efforts had greatly contributed to the receipt of the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) Innovation Award, through the OneLab project, whose members of the laboratory network are all internationally recognized and accredited to ISO 17025:2005 “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories.”

            Since her employment in the agency, the office has been graced with a number of recognitions and awards, thanks in part to the ideas and innovations she brings to the table.