ASF vaccine, posibleng sa 2023 o 2024 pa — DOST

ni Lolet Abania | June 8, 2022

Maaaring mailabas ang bakuna laban sa African swine fever (ASF) na idinebelop ng isang local research company na hawak ng Department of Science and Technology (DOST) sa 2023 o 2024.

Sa Laging Handa briefing ngayong Miyerkules, sinabi ni DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevara na ang vaccine para sa viral disease na nakaka-infect sa mga baboy at wild boars o baboy-ramo kadalasan ay dalawang taon bago ito madebelop.

Gayunman, gagawin munang i-develop ng veterinary research at diagnostic laboratory na BioAssets Corporation ang ASF test kits na posibleng mailabas naman sa pagtatapos ng taong ito o sa unang bahagi ng 2023.

“Meron rule ang Department of Agriculture [DA] na kapag may isang na-detect lang na baboy na may ASF, isang kilometro, lahat ng baboy do’n papatayin. Kapag 7 kilometers, may rules din sila. Kung magkakaro’n tayo ng detection kit, hindi na kailangan lahat patayin. Pwede mo nang i-detect kung sinong baboy lang ang may sakit at kailangan natin idispatsa,” sabi ni Guevara.

Ayon kay Guevara, ang BioAssets Corp. ay maglulunsad din ng isang mobile laboratory na ide-deploy sa Mindanao, na direktang pupunta sa mga lugar na may hinihinalang ASF cases upang agad na mai-test kung ang mga baboy ay talagang infected na ng nasabing sakit.

“Ang mobile laboratory unit na ito ay makakatulong sa mga veterinarians, sa mga farmers para magkaroon ng diagnostics doon sa point para makaresponde agad sa disease outbreak,” saad pa ni Guevara.

Noong nakaraang buwan, limang barangay sa Zamboanga City ang isinailalim ng mga awtoridad sa “red zone” dahil sa mga kumpirmadong kaso ng ASF sa kanilang mga baboy.

Matatandaan noong 2021, ayon sa DA ang Pilipinas ay nakipag-ugnayan na sa United States para magsagawa ng vaccine trials laban sa ASF. Gayundin, may pag-uusap na sa Pirbright Institute ng United Kingdom hinggil sa parehong usapin.

DOST-backed mall exhibit series highlights SM Prime’s sustainability, DRR journey

by SM - @Brand Zone | February 28, 2022

As part of its commitment to the community and the environment, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently launched a series of mall exhibits on sustainability and disaster resilience. The kick-off event was held last Feb. 24 at SM Mall of Asia.

During the event, SM and DOST highlighted numerous initiatives geared toward promoting sustainability and disaster resilience in the country, including those that are in line with addressing climate change. Through the exhibit, the proponents aim to reiterate the importance of working together in creating solutions to the most pressing environmental concerns of today.

In his message, DOST Undersecretary and PHIVOLCS OIC Dr. Renato Solidum mentioned how Filipinos repeatedly face the risks of natural hazards and the effects of climate change in the country, saying that our story should not be just one of survival, but that of becoming victors over disasters. For this, continuous education about disaster resilience and sustainability, he said, is a must.

“This project is evidence of the fusion of science and the arts, with the goal of influencing our kababayans to be informed, and to be prepared against disasters,” Dr. Solidum said.

SM Supermalls President Steven Tan thanked the DOST for continuously partnering with SM towards promoting a more sustainable and disaster-resilient Philippines. He also said that amid the country’s collective efforts to revitalize the economy, stakeholders also should not forget about preserving the environment.

“As one of the country’s leading and trusted integrated property developers, SM Prime Holdings takes its responsibility to the environment and community seriously. While we underscore the importance of ensuring livelihood, business continuity and economic prosperity, it is equally – if not, more importantly – that efforts to protect the environment are in place,” Mr. Tan said.

Aside from Mr. Tan and Dr. Solidum, the event was attended by SM Prime President Mr. Jeffrey Lim, SM Prim Senior Vice President Mr. Glenn Ang, and DOST-NCR Regional Director Jose Patalinjug.

The event is the first of a series of exhibits scheduled over the coming weeks. After the kick-off event in SM Mall of Asia, the exhibit will travel to several other SM malls nationwide.

To learn more about the exhibit and other activities at SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com.

LPA, namataan sa Caraga at Eastern Visayas — PAGASA

ni Lolet Abania | January 22, 2022

Magdudulot ang namataang isang low pressure area (LPA) ng maulap na papawirin na may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan at thunderstorms sa buong Caraga at Eastern Visayas, habang ang Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) ay makaaapekto sa Northern at Central Luzon, batay sa ulat ng PAGASA ngayong Sabado.

Ayon sa 4PM weather forecast ng PAGASA, ang Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Aurora, at Quezon ay makararanas ng maulap na papawirin na may mga pag-ulan dulot ng Amihan.

Makararanas naman ang Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, at ang natitirang bahagi ng Central Luzon ng bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na papawirin na may pabugso-bugsong mahinang pag-ulan.

Habang ang natitirang bahagi ng bansa ay makararanas ng bahagyang maulap hanggang sa maulap na papawirin na may kasamang pabugso-bugsong pagbuhos ng ulan o thunderstorms na posibleng magdulot ng mga pagbaha o landslides sa panahon ng severe thunderstorms.

Sa wind speed forecast ng PAGASA sa natitirang bahagi ng bansa, katamtaman hanggang sa malakas na pagbugso habang ang coastal waters ay magiging katamtaman hanggang sa mabigat na pag-alon nito.

Ang araw ay sisikat ng alas-6:25 ng umaga ng Linggo.