Vol. 8 No. 1 January - February 2014 Bimonthly issue

INSIDE: 3 Strengthening ERDB GAD Focal Point System 4 ERDB General Assembly Meeting held 5 ERDB holds training on automated weather monitoring for National Power Corporation 6 ERDB staff attends National Forum on Innovation, Productivity

and Excellence for the Public 7 ERDB representative attends Project Managers’ Training 8 ERDB prepares for Women’s Month Celebration 2014

Technical assistance on bamboo extended to

Aliaga, Nueva Ecija

B amboo as carbon sequestrator” was among the ideas pitched by DENR-ERDB to the

participants of the bamboo training held in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija on January 29-30, 2014.

Forty-four (44) trainees composed of community affairs officers, barangay leaders, municipal agriculture office staff and some local government unit employees participated in the activity.

Lectures included the commercial and environmental importance/uses of bamboo, morphology and common species of bamboo, bamboo plantation development, and the like.

Hands-on training followed in Brgy. Macabucod, Aliaga, Nueva Ecija where participants were guided in selecting and cutting culms of

(Continued on page 2)

Aliaga Mayor Elizabeth R. Vargas with the participants and trainers of “Bamboo training on nursery establishment and plantation management” held in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija on January 29-30, 2014.

“

Southern Luzon State University Clonal Forestry Complex inaugurated

SLSU Clonal Forestry Complex ribbon-cutting ceremony (left to right): former ERDB Director For. Celso Diaz; For. Oliver Viado, OIC Chief TTD-Calabarzon; SLSU President Dr. Cecilia Gascon, and OIC-RTD for FMS Calabarzon Dr. William Palaypayon.

M any consider Friday the 13th as a day that brings bad luck. However, for the

constituents of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU), December 13, 2013 was an auspicious day which held a lot of promise; for on a Friday the 13th, the DENR-NGP Clonal Forestry Complex of

SLSU was inaugurated and blessed by the parish priest of Lucban, Quezon. Present during the event were faculty, officials, and students of SLSU; DENR representatives also graced the well-attended affair despite the morning drizzle. Next page

Next page

2 Vol. 8 No. 1

ERDB Info Journal

Southern Luzon State University ... from page 1

Page 9

Technical assistance ... from page 1

Kawayang Tinik (Bambusa blumeana), preparing potting soil, and potting of cuttings.

Culm cuttings of Kawayang Tinik, outputs of hands-on training

Resource persons were Mr. Angelito B. Exconde of DENR-ERDB, Dr. Marcelino U. Siladan of DOST-PCAARRD, and Dr. Edmundo B. Baccay of Tarlac College of Agriculture.

Remarks were given by Aliaga Mayor Elizabeth R. Vargas and DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) - Nueva Ecija Director Brigida T. Pili. The training was organized by DTI, Nueva, Ecija.

“About 1,000 bamboo clumps all over Aliaga have been inventoried, each clump has 60 to 70 poles,” said Mayor Vargas in her closing remarks. “Simulan na natin itong linisan at payabungin. [Let’s

start cleaning and further develop them].” The training was conducted to encourage

farmers and other interested individuals to support the bamboo industry development program of the national government. Mheda G. Garcia, NGP-PQPM

Dr. Cecilia N. Gascon, SLSU President, delivered the opening remarks for the propitious occasion. President Gascon stated that her University’s commitment to the DENR-SLSU NGP Clonal Forestry Project emanates from the mission of SLSU – to promote a healthy environment – as the University is engaged in the conservation and management of Mt. Banahaw. Further, Dr. Gascon emphasized, “We envision to rehabilitate denuded areas in CALABARZON as we produce quality seedlings/planting materials from this DENR-SLSU NGP Clonal Facility. The facility will also cater to the needs of our students in Forestry, Environmental Science and Agriculture as they conduct their laboratory/field activities and researches.” Finally, SLSU President Cecilia N. Gascon expressed her sincerest thanks to ERDB-DENR for placing its trust on SLSU as one of the partner universities in the production of quality planting materials for the National Greening Program.

For. Celso P .Diaz, former ERDB Director, represented OIC-Director Portia G. Lapitan during the inauguration and blessing of the DENR-SLSU NGP Clonal Forestry Project. Like Dr. Gascon, For. Diaz emphasized the need to rehabilitate the denuded areas in CALABARZON Region particularly in Quezon Province with quality planting materials. For. Diaz, in his brief remarks on the DENR-NGP Clonal Forestry Project, traced the history of macro-clonal propagation technique using non-mist system which was popularized by ERDB in

the early 1990s during the FAO-UNDP Project; it is the same technology that DENR through ERDB is adopting under NGP to produce quality seedlings like dipterocarps, indigenous and other premium forest tree species. The former ERDB head mentioned that in the MOA between DENR and SLSU, and other SUCs, it provides that initially they will provide 60,000 seedlings to the DENR which will be

produced from seeds and wildlings from good quality planting stock meantime that the clonal project has yet to produce plantable cloned seedlings. For. Diaz expressed gladness that SLSU is moving in the right direction when it came to the

SLSU Clonal Forestry Complex (counterclockwise from top):

front view of clonal nursery building/laboratory processing

area; project management office, seed room, and tool room of

building; rooting beds; recovery area; hedge garden.

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Page 9

Strengthening ERDB GAD Focal Point System

T he ERDB GAD Focal Point System’s 1st meeting was held on 10 January 2014 at the

ERDB Conference Room, College, Laguna. The objectives of the meeting are: (1) to strengthen the ERDB Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS); (2) to reconstitute the members of the GAD Focal Point System and its functions as replacement of those members who retired and joined the rationalization plan; and (3) to discuss the Work Plan of CY 2014.

To address the 1st objective, Dr. Marilyn Q. Landicho discussed the new composition of the ERDB Gender and Development Focal Point System (GADFPS) who signified their intention to the various committees. Below are the list of personnel who will compose the six committees and its functions, to wit:

GAD Focal Point - Marilyn Q. Landicho Alternate - Ma. Vienna O. Austria Functions: Provides over-all coordination;

oversees the planning and supervision of GAD mainstreaming activities of the Bureau; represents the Bureau on the National GAD Focal Point System; and consolidates the annual Work and Financial Plan as well as accomplishment reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual)

GAD Committees:

Research Plans and Programs Chair - Simplicia A. Pasicolan Vice Chair - Lynlei L. Pintor Members - Carmela G. Taguiam

The new ERDB GAD Focal Point System members for 2014

AuroraS. Jose Ma. Lourdes DC. Reyes Myline O. Aparente

Functions: Acts as technical committee of the

ERDB GADFPS; ensures GAD mainstreaming in RDE programs/ projects/ activities (PPAs); and reviews and evaluates new RDE programs/ projects for implementation, terminal reports for possible publication, and other related concerns with GAD component

Training, Education, and Special Events Chair - Veronica O. Sinohin Vice Chair - Paulina Rowena C. Payuan Members - Marilou B. Avanzado Florentina D. Oliva Rafael L. Sibal Nestor S. Leviste Teresita C. Erasga Functions: Provides assistance in the

implementation of GAD-related trainings/ seminars/ workshops for RDE PPAs; spearheads the conduct of special events like Women’s Month Celebration; and supports other special events and activities like Environment Month and other GAD-related activities

Information, Education, and Communication Chair - Romana A. Mauricio Vice Chair - Salvacion T. Orobia

4 Vol. 8 No. 1

ERDB Info Journal

T he 1st ERDB General Assembly Meeting for CY 2014 was held on January 8. 2014 at the

ERDB Auditorium, College, Laguna. A total of 338 employees attended the assembly of ERDB employees. Mr. Angelito Exconde was tasked as the master of ceremony and moderator in the said meeting. He introduced the new composition of the ERDB Executive Committee (EXECOM). The assembly meeting was a free flowing program and tackled the major concerns of the ERDB Rationalization and other plans/programs and activities. OIC, Assistant Director, Dr. Antonio M. Daño delivered the prayer to give guidance and wisdom for each employee of the Bureau. Then, OIC-Director, Dr. Portia G. Lapitan opened the program as she welcomed the start of the new calendar year, 2014. She mentioned that the 2nd day of January will be the start of the rationalized structure wherein all bureaus, attached agencies and regional field offices of the DENR were instructed to adopt the new set-up based on the approved rationalized structure.

Dr. Lapitan also stressed that each employee has an important role to play to effectively execute the functions and mandate of the bureau. She mentioned that the new ERDB as a rationalized bureau will introduce new innovations in the operation and management of the bureau as well as effectively and efficiently implement the research, development and extension plans/programs and activities such as: (1) the conduct of regular quarterly ERDB assembly meeting which the Assistant Director is tasked to lead; (2) a team approach in the implementation of the tasks/functions that will lead to the achievement of a

more and effective implementation of the programs of the ERDB ; (3) vacant positions to be filled up by qualified ERDB personnel; (4) trimming down of the contract of service personnel equivalent to the warm bodies of regular employees; (5) provision of health care and medical benefits to all employees (following the HMO of Mines and Geosciences Management Bureau); and (6) more opportunities for everyone in the ERDB rationalized structure.

The important issues and concerns raised in the open forum were: (1) how a Science Research Specialist II can qualify for a Section Chief position; (2) status of casual employees, now that the contract of service is continuously hired; (3) clarification on the basis of taxation of the contract of service and how it is computed; (4) how an employee can apply for one or two positions; (5) the process of scoring for the credible selection and new composition of board members; and (6) minimum qualification for every vacant position.

These various issues and concerns were answered such as: (a) a set of position Qualification Standard (QS) and duties and responsibilities or job description for every position will be developed and posted; (b) casual personnel will be hired continuously; (c) 5% as basis for taxation wherein this aspect will be further reviewed by the Accounting Section; (d) every employee can apply for two choices of position; (e) transparency in the scoring on how they earn a point in their accomplishments; and (f) should specify that the minimum qualification standard for every position is a bachelor’s degree holder.

Other information raised were: (1) no employee-employer relationship in the contract of service; (2) differences between the minimum

ERDB General Assembly Meeting held

Dr. Portia G. Lapitan, OIC Director of ERDB answers a question during the open forum of the 1st

ERDB General Assembly held on January 8, 2014 at the ERDB Auditorium.

Page 10

5 Vol. 8 No. 1

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D ENR’s Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) held a

training on operation and maintenance of automated weather monitoring system or AWMS for the National Power Corporation (NPC) watershed team in Caliraya, Cavinti, Laguna on November 28-29, 2013. The training aimed to equip NPC field staff with the necessary knowledge and skills in collecting, recording and analyzing data from mini hydrometeorological stations. A mini hydromet is equipped with sensors, logger such as GSM/GPRS that sends automatic texts every 15 minutes, and other accessories. It was designed by ERDB to collect and record weather data in watershed areas. NPC adopted the technology in 2010 through the “Establishment of Hydrometeorological Stations in NPC-

Managed Watershed Reservation,” project with ERDB. Thus far, 11 stations have been installed in 11 NPC-managed watersheds, namely Agno (upper), Agno (lower), Angat, Buhi-Barit, Caliraya, Lake Lanao, Magat, MakBan (Makiling-Banahaw), Pantabangan, Pulangi and Tiwi. Climate data acquired by hydromet stations will be beneficial for the management of watersheds placed under NPC. The stations also complement DOST-PAGASA’s weather monitoring stations located at lower elevations, said bMr. Angelito B. Exconde of ERDB, project leader, during the training. In the training, 28 NPC staff were familiarized with watershed and hydrometeorology, hydrometeorological instrumentation, hydrometeorological database, data analysis and application, and components and operations of AWMS. Training resource persons were Dr. Antonio M. Daño, Engr. Pedro C. Atega, Forester Digno C. Garcia and Mr. Gino L. Talatala, all of ERDB. Two product specialists from GSMetrix Technology Solutions Inc., the company that fabricates hydromet stations, were also present. NPC, a provider and generator of electricity in the country, is a government-owned and controlled corporation. It is responsible for the management and rehabilitation of 17 dams and 11 watersheds covering around 0.5 million hectares of Philippine forest areas. Mheda G. Garcia, Photos by Ann V. Gillado, NGP, PQPM

ERDB holds training on automated weather

monitoring for National Power Corporation

Peter Mark dela Cruz, a product specialist of

GSMetrix Technology Solutions Inc.–the R&D com-

pany contracted by DENR-ERDB to fabricate 11 mini

hydromet stations – explains the components of Au-

tomated Weather Monitoring System.

ERDB and National Power

Corporation staff during the

training on “Operation and

maintenance of Automated

Weather Monitoring System for

meteorological observation” in

Caliraya, Cavinti, Laguna on

November 28-29, 2013.

6 Vol. 8 No. 1

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Page 10

D r. Marilyn Q. Landicho of the Upland Farms Ecosystem

Research Division (ERDB) represented ERDB Director in the National Forum on Innovation, Productivity and Excellence for the Public Sector held on November 13, 2013 at L.S. Virata Hall, DAP Bldg., San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

The said forum was conducted in celebration of the Development Academy of the Philippines’ (DAP) 40th Anniversary and Philippine Quality Award’s (PQA) 16th cycle. DAP is the PQA Award Administrator for the Public Sector in collaboration with the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the Department of Trade and Industry.

The forum was participated in by several government and private business entities. The public sector was composed of representatives from DOST (Central and Regional Offices (Regions 2, 11, and 12), Bureaus, Councils (PCARRD and PCIERRD), and MIRDC), PNP, LGUs (Tanauan City, Batangas, etc.), and other national government agencies.

Ms. Magdalena L. Mendoza, DAP Senior Vice President for Programs welcomed the participants emphasizing that the forum offers a unique opportunity to help ensure that the reform initiatives are geared towards achieving superior results in the public sector. It likewise served as a platform for dialogue with stakeholders to highlight new directions emerging from various reforms to foster inclusive growth and development.

The forum also included sharing of innovation and productivity efforts in promoting better governance. The forum featured tha launching of PQA Criteria Handbook for the public sector, Compendium of PQA Best Practices, and a preview of the Government Quality Class (GQC).

Finally, Ms. Mendoza stressed that PQA is a strategy to promote quality excellence for both private and public sectors/entities so that the citizens feel what the government is doing for them.

Mr. Carlos Sayco from APO delivered his message which focused on “mediocrity to culture of excellence”. He informed the participants that APO has 19 member countries who are dedicated to promote productivity.

Ms. Mendoza presented the topic entitled “Public Sector Productivity: Issues, Challenges, and Priorities”. It included the themes in public sector reform, importance

of productivity in the public sector in Asia, and different activities of APO, among other things. The presentation was followed by another topic from Mr. D. Brian Marson, Co-founder and Senior Fellow of the Institute for Citizen Centered Service, APO entitled “Implementing Horizontal Services in a Vertical Government Universe”. Mr. Marson emphasized how to learn to work together as a team in the government or the so called collaborative government, because the citizens need integrated

services. He concluded that government service delivery is a team effort, thus government agencies should worktogether in order to win.

Dr. Robin Mann from the Centre for Organizational Excellence Research in New Zealand talked about the “Challenges and Strategies for Business Excellence for the Public Sector”. His presentation focused on the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) from micro to macro and the need to have national business excellence strategy.

Mr. Virgilio Fulgencio, Executive Director of DTI-CIC imparted the “Overview of PQA”. He explained how the program started and the legal bases for its implementation (EO 448 in 1997 and RA 9013 in 2011). The main objective of the program is performance excellence for both the private and public sectors. It is an integrated approach to organizational performance practices, capabilities, and results.

Mayor Antonio O. Halili of Tanauan City, Batangas presented the “Benchmarking Experience of the City Government of Tanauan”. He said that the benchmarking activity was very useful in identifying strengths and weaknesses and discussed the processes on how the project in the city was conducted. He also informed the group that they have produced a manual on Competency-Based System (CBS).

The launching of the “PQA Criteria Handbook for the Public Sector” was also held during the forum. The participants were informed that the said handbook will be coming out soon. The handbook was produced to fit the local condition patterned from the handbook on PQA from the USA. Director Mary Jean Pacheo from DTI presented the “Public Sector Reforms Towards Regional Economic Integration”. She presented the public sector reforms through good governance framework, regional economic

ERDB staff attends National Forum on Innovation,

Productivity and Excellence for the Public Sector

Ms. Magdalena Mendoza welcoming the participants.

7 Vol. 8 No. 1

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The following training modules were discussed, namely: 1) Overview of Project Management: Concepts, Principles and Project Management Methods; 2) Project Cycle Management; 3) Planning and Design: Situational Analysis Tools; 4) Project Implementation Planning; and 5) Implementation, Monitoring and Adjustment. Cross visits/ practicum was conducted at the eastern and northern parts of Dumaguete City. Project sites visited were: 1) CBFM CARP Project in Ayungon, 2) Ecological Solid Wastes Management Facilities in Bayawan City, 3) National Greening Program in

Bamban , Ayungon, 4) Mechanized Forest Nursery in Ayungon, and 5) Community –Based Forest and Mangrove Management Project in Bayawan City. Participants were grouped and tasked to evaluate the project assigned to them and come up with a comprehensive report. A panel evaluated and rated each group based on the criteria set by the training team.

All participants were happy to receive their

certificates of completion during the short closing

program held at the last day of the training. Romana A.

Mauricio, FERD

A s part of its staff development and capacity building the Ecosystems Research and Development

Bureau (ERDB) sent Forester Romana A. Mauricio to the Training Course on Basic Project Management: Tools and Techniques for the Project Managers’ Pool, 2nd Batch. The training was conducted last December 9-14, 2013 and January 12-18, 2014 at the Hacienda Gracia, Lubao Pampanga (lecture series) and Dumaguete City and vicinities, Negros Oriental (lecture and cross visit/practicum), respectively. The training aimed to strengthen the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) current capabilities and ensure a more sustained availability of experienced and competent personnel to handle Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) projects, Participants were from DENR Regional Offices (CAR, R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, R10, R12 and CARAGA); staff bureaus (EMB, ERDB, PAWB, MGB and FMB); and central office (FASPO). Training facilitation, documentation and resource speakers were provided by the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) while funding came from DENR FASPO. The resource speakers were Mr. Josue C. Claur and Mr. Clement Rasul, both independent consultants. They shared not only their technical expertise but also their experiences in successfully managing projects they handled before,

Combination of lectures, workshops, fieldworks were the learning instruments by the resource speakers during the training. Participants’ performance were evaluated based on the reflections realized and learned submitted everyday aside from the attendance, quizzes, case exercises and workshop outputs.

ERDB representative attends Project Managers’

Training

The workshop participants

The workshop participants during the group session.

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ERDB Info Journal

V arious activities are scheduled for the celebration of the Women’s Month 2014

at ERDB. This year’s theme is “Juana, Ang Tatag Mo ay Tatag Natin sa Pagbangon at Pagsulong.” The celebration pays tribute to the strong and resilient “Juanas” who brought inspiring changes here in the country and across the globe. It also recognizes the role of women who untiringly volunteered themselves in time of disaster, conflict, and calamity and their overall contributions to progress. On March 3, 2014, a flag raising ceremony will be held at the ERDB grounds where the GAD Focal Point System will be the sponsor in the flag raising ceremony. The GAD Focal Point System members will be required to wear violet. Likewise, ten (10) representatives from each bureau will represent ERDB in the DENR flag ceremony on the same day. Simultaneous hanging of GAD streamers will be undertaken by the different government agencies from March 1-31, 2014. To signal the start of the Women’s Month celebration, a program will be held on March 4, 2014. Activities for the kick-off program will include the Advocacy Walk in support of the theme. The ERDB Personnel, together with DENR Region 4A, Forest Products and Development Research Institute (FPRDI), Community and Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Asean Center for Biodiversity Conservation (ACB), Local Government Unit, Los Baños (LGU-LB), Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources and Development (PCAARD), UPLB Gender Program, and UPLB College of Forestry and

Natural Resource (CFNR) will be invited to join the advocacy walk around the UP College of Forestry campus. This will be followed by an opening program where the ERDB Director Portia G. Lapitan will give the message and a guest speaker will be invited. Also on March 4, the Tianggehan sa ERDB will be put up at the ERDB grounds. The bazaar will feature a variety of products

like plants, foodstuffs, novelty items, and clothes. This will be participated in by the ERDB Divisions/Units and other invited entrepreneurs. The Gising Diwa Program will be conducted in Sta. Rosa Elementary School, Central III on March 7, 2014 among Grade 5 students. This aims to share to the students’ awareness on different environmental issues and concerns. On March 11, 2014, the Seminar on Endocrine Concerns will be held while on March 14, 2014, a Seminar on Disaster Preparedness will be conducted at the ERDB Conference Room. Aside from these, there will be a

vaccination for pneumonia and flu. The Seminar on Disaster Preparednes will focus on household and office disasters.. As a continuing activity, the Gender Sensitivity Training for Contract of Services personnel will be held on March 18, 2014 to discuss the existing gender concerns which are vital in the gender sensitization process. The Health and Wellness Activities will be held at the ERDB Conference Room on March 20, 2014. The activities will include the Seminar on Endocrine Concerns and cancer awareness and the actual vaccination for pneumonia and flu.

The final activity will be on March 31,

2014 where the Enhanced Gender Tools will

be launched. Marla V. Cambay, TDD

ERDB prepares for Women’s Month Celebration 2014

9 Vol. 8 No. 1

ERDB Info Journal Next page

establishment of protocols on the clonal propagation of indigenous and premium species; he also underscored the importance of technology transfer and hoped that SLSU can sustain the operations of the forestry clonal project until 2016 and beyond. Also, For. Diaz expressed his thanks to Dr. Gascon for supporting the DENR-SLSU NGP Clonal Forestry Project. The former ERDB director ended his speech by saying “Sana mataniman natin ang mga denuded areas o areas without forest cover sa CALABARZON Region using only good quality planting materials”.

Meanwhile, in his inspirational message, Dr. William R. Palaypayon, OIC-Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Service for CALABARZON Region congratulated SLSU for its achievement. Dr. Palaypayon said, “Ang aking pagpupugay sa SLSU…Ako’y natutuwa dahil ang SLSU ay nakakatulong sa ating mga adhikain.” Dr.

Palaypayon also related that he was very happy that he was able to return to SLSU since “actually nung ako’y RTD pa ng ERDS (Ecosystems Research and Development Service), ako po ang nagsimula niyan (clonal complex). I went to Pres. Gascon to talk about the DENR-SLSU NGP Clonal Forestry Project.”

Dr. Conrado L. Abraham, SLSU Vice-President for Production, Research, Extension, and Development (VP-PRED), who delivered the

closing remarks, expressed his thanks for everyone’s support to the project and underscored the importance of trees as a source of medicine and livelihood.

The Clonal Forestry Complex of SLSU is situated in a 6,000 square meter area located in the SLSU’s College of Agriculture, Barangay Ayuti, Lucban, Quezon. At present, the clonal complex is composed of a clonal nursery building/laboratory processing area, rooting area with sixty rooting beds, recovery area, and a 780 square meter hedge garden for planting stocks of indigenous forest tree species. According to Pres. Gascon, SLSU has spent about P1,000,000.00 over and

above the P3.5 M grant from DENR to complete the construction of the clonal complex and for maintenance and operation. Future actions for

the development of the clonal complex include: construction of additional set of concrete beds for the rooting area, planting of additional stock plants in hedge garden using indigenous tree species, production of 300,000 seedlings (80% clones and 20% from seeds), and conduct of research on rooting of cuttings of priority species based on various concentrations of rooting hormone, age of shoots/cuttings, and type of misting system. -- Fleurdeliz A. Cruz, with inputs and photographs from For. Kathreena Engay, SLSU Focal Person for NGP-PQPM

Southern Luzon State University ... from page 2

Members - Paul J. Cuadra Ma. Lourdes Q. Moreno Fe T. Ociones Liza C. Ranes

Lorlina A. Calderon Marla V. Cambay

Functions: Prepares GAD-IEC material (GAD newsletter “GADREACH”); distributes GAD-related materials from other agencies to clientele; and conducts Gising Diwa Program among selected elementary and high school students in Region 4A (CALABARZON)

Monitoring and Evaluation Chair - Juan B. Ebora Vice Chair - Ma. Vienna O. Austria Members - Rosemarie P. Lansigan Jose Isidro Michael Padin Functions: Monitors and evaluates gender

component in all the RDE programs and other GAD-related projects/ activities; and recommends courses of action based on the M&E findings to the GAD Focal Point.

Food and Physical Arrangement Chair - Cristina D. Apolinar

Vice Chair - Esperanza R. Talero Members - Gino S. Laforteza Fedelino M. Calda Function: Provides logistical support to the

GADFPS meetings, seminars, trainings, and other related activities

Secretariat Chair - Elsa A. Diacos Vice Chair - Emma L. Ebora Members - Medelyn C. Bumagat Gliceria B. de Guzman Richel Joanne dR. Abescoro Functions: Provides all the necessary

communications/ logistics/ photos and other materials needed in all activities of ERDB GADFPS; keeps all the records of GADFPS; and develops database on GAD

Dr. Carmelita I. Villamor shall serve as the

Technical Adviser of the GADFPS. She shall give technical advices particularly to the Research Plans and Programs Committee.

Strengthening ERDB GAD Focal Point ... from page 3

10 Vol. 8 No. 1

ERDB Info Journal

Executive Advisers : Portia G. Lapitan

Antonio M. Daño

Editorial Adviser : Veronica O. Sinohin

Managing Editor : Marla V. Cambay

Layout : Liberato A. Bacod

Circulation : Eduardo M. Tolentino

Printing : Celso A. Luna

Photographer : Gino S. Laforteza

Vol. 8 No. 1 January - February 2014

Contribution from all employees are welcome as per guidelines set in ERDB Memo dated Aug. 31, 2007.The Info Journal is produced bimonthly in coordination with all Offices, Divisions and Units of the ERDB.

With regard to ERDB-GAD Work and Financial Plan for CY 2014, the various GAD programs/projects/activities are: (1) Participation to inter-agency GAD meetings, seminars, & conference; technical assistance, advocacy and development of GAD RDE Compendium; (2) Production/reproduction of GAD IEC materials, conducts of outreach seminar /environmental outreach; (3) conduct of Women Month Kick-Off program; (3) mainstreaming the ENR projects/activities focusing on climate change, biodiversity, environment, natural resources, eco-tourism and technology transfer; (4) assessment of solid waste management schemes in middle and high-end subdivisions and condominiums for environmental protection and conservation; (5) maintenance of the ERDB Material Recovery Facility: A continuing activity; and (6) project monitoring system and mainstreaming of GAD to different ERDB programs/projects.

Other agenda of meeting tackled were: (a) review of abstracts of GAD programs/projects implement as basis in the development of GAD Compendium; (b) conduct of quarterly GAD meeting every 3rd week of the ending quarter; (c) regular reporting system of the various committees as monthly deliverables of accomplishments; (d) preparation of research proposal on the Solid Management thru ERDB Material Recovery Facility Model; and (6) production of leaflets and IEC GAD materials to disseminate the findings of GAD programs/projects. Aurora S. Jose/FERD and Marla V. Cambay/TDD

qualification and promotion, i.e. BS degree earns a 0 point and MS/Ph.D will garner more points based on the criteria set; (3) preliminary screening of Grade 18 and above will be done in the bureau and to be recommended to the department for final screening of the Committee of Selection and Board and Secretary’s approval; (4) review of character of the applicant and commitment to work are included in the promotion and selection of the applicant; and (5) no study or project will stand alone for implementation wherein the modality of implementation is the program-based approach.

Finally, Dir. Lapitan stressed that ERDB as a research bureau will generate and encourage researchers to publish more scientific-based outputs/results. Future scientists’ accomplishments and their undertakings will be integrated into the ERDB plans and programs to put ERDB into the Science arena. Aurora S. Jose, FERD and Marla V.Cambay, TDD

integration on becoming an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, DTI response (what the government is doing this), DTI performance governance system, and the way forward.

Mr. Marson presented the topic on “Building Communities of Practice and Center of Excellence to Support Regional Integration”. He discussed about how inter-governmental collaboration can support regional integration and what collaborative regional arrangements are needed to support ASEAN Economic Integration. Retired Major Don Maria R. Anicete from PAF, DND Office for Defense Reform, discussed about their “Quest for Defense Management Excellence: Integrating Pockets of Improvement through PQA Framework”. He presented the current defense management context, the PDR program in pursuit of meaningful change, setting on quality journey, and making PQA work by tying loose ends. He concluded that PQA is a very good integrating model and that excellence should be a way of life. Mr. Fred Liza from DOST-MIDRC presented the topic on “Business Excellence Through PQA: The MIDRC Experience. He shared that their office is a recipient of PQA recognition. He discussed about their drive for excellence, their winning moves, their lessons learned and power to change, and their next steps to be undertaken.

Strengthening ERDB GAD Focal Point ... from page 9

ERDB General Assembly ... from page 4 Finally, Mr. Marson presented the program

integration emphasizing that the commitment of everybody in responding to the needs of the people. It was immediately followed by the closing program with the awarding of certificates to the resource persons and PQA awardees. Marilyn Q. Landicho, UFERD

Mr. Marson

discussing the

topic

“Implementing

Horizontal Services

in a Vertical

Government

Universe”.

ERDB Staff attends ... from page 6