Now on its 11th year as an ISO-certified organization, the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office V (DOST-V) successfully demonstrated compliance to the requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 during the remote off-site 2nd Quality Management System (QMS) Surveillance Audit. On 08 April 2021, the auditors from the Certification International Philippines, Inc. (CIPI) reviewed DOST-V’s processes for CY 2020 on the provision of science, technology and innovation (STI) transfer and commercialization services, consultancy services, technology training, S&T promotion & information services, and S&T scholarships.
Its zero non-conformity attests DOST-V’s effective implementation of S&T programs and projects to its customers and stakeholders despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic. This ISO certification is both an achievement and challenge for DOST-V and its six Provincial S&T Centers to continuously bring quality S&T services to the Bicolano people.
Under the competent leadership of Regional Director Rommel R. Serrano and the shared hard work and dedication of its personnel, there is no doubt that DOST-V will sustain this accomplishment in the years to come. (DAPeñaJr/LDBBellen/ MFLMiranda, DOST V)
S-PaSS registrants now over 600k in less than a month
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Western Visayas’ S-PaSS (Safe, Swift and Smart Passage) now has a total of 611,042 registrants who were provided with a common and unified platform for communicating travel policies and requirements as of 23 April 2021.
S-PaSS is an online travel management system developed by DOST-VI that facilitates the application process of necessary travel permits needed before travel if required, depending on the travel policy of the destination local government unit or LGU. If the traveler is going to an LGU with “Restricted” travel policy, application for a Travel Coordination Permit (TCP) is required. On the other hand, when traveling to an LGU with “Unrestricted” travel policy but passing through areas with strict travel protocols, DOST recommends that a Travel Pass-Through Permit (TPP) be generated to be presented to the appropriate authorities when requested.
Currently, Ilocos Sur with 23,371 users lead the top provinces/HUCs/ICCs with approved TCP. Meanwhile, Misamis Occidental with 26,352 users tops the provinces/HUCs/ICCs with TPPS (Travel Pass-Through Permit) Generated.
The implementation of the S-PaSS has reached over 83 provinces with Ilocos Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao already fully utilizing the online travel management system.
Among the active provinces/HUCs/ICCs, 30 are restricted provinces, nine are unrestricted HUCs & ICCs, 26 are unrestricted provinces and 18 are unrestricted HUCs & ICCs.
S-PaSS is not a contact tracing app and only those who intend to travel need to use the system. The traveler needs to have an internet-capable device such as a desktop computer, laptop, table or mobile phone. The traveler will need to visit the s-pass.ph website in order to register and use the system and a personal mobile number is also needed for registration. For more inquiries on S-PaSS, you may contact the following hotline numbers: 0939-6067375 and 0998-5354217.
Travels are made easier through S-PaSS! Register now at www.s-pass.ph for a hassle-free journey. (SSalazar/JJMoleno/KMU-DOST VI)
Pinoy innovator develops wound patch for diabetics made from coconut A Filipino registered nurse by the name of Denver Chicano, with a big heart and a creative mind, came up with the idea of developing a wound patch specifically for diabetic patients.
His personal experience as a nurse at the Burn Unit of the Philippine General Hospital motivated him to develop such products that will helps patients with wounds to heal faster and better. Because of the result of narrowed blood vessels, diabetic wound healing is impaired because there is less oxygen that reach the wound that results in slow healing.
Seeing the great potential of the invention of Chicano, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) supported supported this initiative to develop the technology of producing a perforated wound patch made out of coconut for diabetic persons, now called by its trademark Vermac which prevents infection, especially for diabetic wound complication.
DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña expressed his appreciation with the PatchMed Cosmetics Trading, the company established by Chicano that is behind this innovation during the recent department’s weekly report aired at DOSTv.
“Nakakamangha itong company na ito dahil nakita ko kung papaano sila umangat sa kanilang ginagawang produkto. Noong una gumawa sila ng wound dressing mula sa coconut o niyog – na tinatawag nilang cocopatch. Ngayon ay mayroon na naman silang bagong produkto na ipapakilala.”
Chicano, the company’s proprietor, shared that with the help of DOST, the company got familiar with the technicality of their products. Their products actually started without bioequivalence throughout the world.
“From a seed idea to an actual product, DOST SETUP project helped us with the machines we need to manufacture our products,” Chicano said.
Not contented with just developing the product, Chicano has now diversified from producing wound dressing products for burns and wounds to establishing the first wound care clinic in the Philippines called Alphacell Wound Clinic.
“With the establishment of our clinic, we saw a problem with the diabetic patients na iba-iba ang ginagamit na standard for ointment at gasa. Because of this, we came up with perforated cellulose which has better moisture control and autolytic debridement for diabetic wounds”, Chicano highlighted.
Chicano added that they also developed a product to be used as an alternative to povidone-iodine. The anti-bacterial spray gel for wound care for kids has coconut-based components as the active ingredient.
The technology has been recognized worldwide and won several awards such as UP-PGH Recognition, Tatak PGH Nurse Innovator Award, Most Promising Intellectual Property Award by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Green Innovation Product 2014, and Creative Design Category Regional Winner during the National Invention Contest and Exhibits organized by the DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute.
PatchMed Cosmetic Trading products are now supplied to the different hospitals and wound care clinics in the country and are also available for online delivery through their Facebook page. By Jachin Jane O. Aberilla, DOST-STII Media Service
