UP names Saloma 2nd

Bol-anon Chancellor

A Baclayanon who has distinguished himself as a physicist par excellence makes Boholanos proud when he was elected chancellor of the country’s premier state university.

Dr. Cesar Saloma, former director of the National Institute of Physics (NIP) at the university of the Philippines (UP) earlier recognized as promoter of scientific culture as a scientist, mentor and leader has attained all of these in the prevailing environment of adversity and unfavorable conditions for research, both wikipedia and writer Erica Fille Legara wrote. 

The UP 11-member Board of Regents appointed Saloma last March 2, 2011, during its 1267^th meeting, making him the second Boholano to sit on the position among nine chancellors since 1982.

Saloma joins former chancellor Jose V. Abueva who was born in Tuburan Cebu but lived in Duero, Bohol.

According to phisciletters.org, Dr. Saloma obtained his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of the Philippines in 1981, 1984, and 1989, respectively.

He was appointed to the highest rank of Scientist III by the UP System in 2006, he was one of three issued. Later, he was re-appointed, making him the only other one issued such.

Even from his young years at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary here, Saloma has been relentless in the pursuit of excellence, said priests who have known him.

The Philippine Science Letters also bared that Dr. Saloma began working in optics in October 1987 as a Monbusho exchange scholar at the Department of Applied Physics, at the Osaka University in Japan in pursuit of his PhD dissertation under the guidance of Professor Shigeo Minami.

Those same years, the NIP had not yet acquired the necessary equipment and financial support, or the qualified research supervisors, to allow graduate students like him to perform advanced research investigations in applied physics.

True blooded researcher, scientist and inventor, Saloma has been multi-awarded, most of these awards for his pioneering work in applied physics.

In 2004 Saloma was the first scientist from an Asean country to get the Galileo Galilei Award from the International Commission for Optics in recognition of his important contributions to the field of optics.

By 2008, he has received the triennial ASEAN outstanding scientist and Technologist Award at the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week in Manila, Philippines after being recognized for his contributions to photonics and signal processing that were accomplished with colleagues and students at the National Institute of Physics.

As chancellor, he would be assisted by five Vice Chancellors at the UP— for Academic Affairs, Administration, Community Affairs, Research and Development and Student Affairs.

Apart from heading the university, the Chancellor also holds administrative works representing the Board of Regents to the campus level.

Saloma then would be directing the University Council, an internal coordinating body that composed the Chancellor himself, the University Registrar as the secretary, and the professors, associate professors and assistant professors as members. (racPIABohol)

DTI gets international

standards certification

CUSTOMER satisfaction guaranteed.

Customers coming for services at the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are assured of full service satisfaction.

This as Certification International Philippines (CIP) Inc., a third party audit team awards to the agency a certification of the quality management system (QMS) ISO 9001:2008 based on international standards.

ISO 9001 is a set of international standards for management and verification of good quality management practices.

During a formal ceremony last February 24 at the Cebu Grand Hotel, CIP hands in a certificate issued on December 6, 2010.

The certificate, signed by the CIP managing director Renato Navarette, came after the third party auditor finds the DTI regiona and provincial officer compliant with the international standards adopted by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

The auditing team, upon looking into the trade and industry programs and services of the department found DTI’s QMS in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001: 2008, asserts Lucille Autentico, information officer. 

CPS also reported that “the strength of QMS’ capacity and activities that were initiated by the department meet quality objectives and ensure external and internal customer satisfaction.”

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international organization that gives certification to businesses, government organizations and social entities that meet certain common standards.

As ISO-certified, the government agency has fully developed certain formal processes for their management quality control. This includes monitoring processes, maintaining complete and accurate records, checking for defective output, taking action to correct defects and continual internal reviews for effectiveness.

The ISO certification is valid until December 5, 2013. (MLA/racPIA)

Maynilad shows interest

In investing here - Guv

WITH the urgency of putting up utilities support to Bohol’s development, Governor Edgar Chatto said exploratory talks with water supply investors for Bohol are on the initial stages.

Speaking before the media in his weekly Kita Ug Ang Gobernador at the People’s Mansion Friday, Chatto revealed that the first round of talks however did not include yet the local government units who may be affected by the developments.

He said a giant water concessionaire whose track record includes water and wastewater services provision for most parts of western Metro Manila has shown interest in investing in Bohol. 

Maynilad Water has stared some exploratory talks with local officials, Chatto said.

The Maynilad Water team ed by Chief Executive Officer Ricky Vargas, Senior Vice President (SVP) for Commercial and Business Patrick Gregorio, SVP for Water Supply, Mario Villasan, SVP for waste Management Julius Igesia and SVP for Marketing Services Patricia Hizon met with the governor at the People’s Mansion Thursday evening, he said.

At the meeting, the plan to put up investments in water supply especially in developing Loboc and Abatan rivers as possible sources of potable water also facilitated a lively exchange of ideas, according to the governor.

The meeting which was accordingly attended by Vice Governor Concepcion Lim and Representative Erico Aumentado has Maynilad discussing about the proposal and on the viability as well as the possible impacts to the water quality the company would be getting.

Chatto, who has stressed that water supply provision for highly urbanized areas as well as Panglao has become a top priority to sustain the momentum of are development in southwestern Bohol.

He also impressed that there is an apparent need for Bohol to get reliable, good-quality and affordable potable water supply.

The governor also admitted that apart form Maynilad, there have been others who presented proposals to do similar water supply investments.

But these will undergo the same process of evaluation, the governor who helped lay the stronger foundation for development in Tagbilaran and Panglao assured.

In his experience of making the revamp in the water utilities in Tagbilaran, Chatto has pointed out the need to fastrack decision making on water supply investments because this is a dire need in highly urbanized areas and Panglao.

He however assured, “in future development planning for Bohol, the processes especially in investments proposals would always be transparent.”

Arts harvest caps Tubigon

Month-long Arts festival

TUBIGON Arts Month celebration culmination explodes in color and sound as “Ato Ni, Piskay Jud” (This is ours, Simply Beautiful) brings in a bountiful harvest of local arts.

“The first Tubigon Arts Festival paves the way for the discovery of potential local artists,” said Raymond Delgado, town information officer.

At the Tubigon Cultural Center, artists and mentors gathered for final string of events: Vocal Solo, Duet, Balak, Guitar Solo and Dance Drama Competitions.

“Students claimed the stage as they belt their spell binding tune, poetic dispositions, and rhythmic theatrical movements in the different contests in the field of music, poetry and dance,” Delgado describes the capping activity.

During the past weeks, various contests in visual arts, photography and creative writing were held at different venues in the town center.

The Center for Culture and Arts Development of Bohol headed by Enriqueta Butalid, provided resource persons who served as workshop speakers and judges for the different competitions.

An exhibit featuring the works of art by different home-grown Tubignon artists and works of student participants were staged on the third week at the Tubigon Cultural Center.

An awarding ceremony ended the monthlong festival attended by the Vice-Mayor Engr. Virgilio Fortich and different school administrators of the town.

In his closing speech, Engr. Fortich commended the students, teachers and academic institutions for their participation and reassured them of the government’s strong partnership through various activities by providing fiscal support on any undertaking relating to arts. 

Winners in the different events are Visual Arts: (Elementary Category) Angelie Tortor – Tubigon East District (Crayon), Julie Marie Palma- Tubigon East District (Pastel) Jowelle Liew-Holy Family of Nazareth (Water Color); (high school /College): Ronnel Pios - Salus Institute of Tech. (Pastel), Michelle Marimon- Holy Family (Water Color) Anna Mae Frajele –Holy Cross Academy (Charcoal).

For Photography, Renzo Miguel Amodia (Elem. Category) and Dorene Krystelle Aracayos (High School/College) brough home awards.

For essay writing, Nice Marie Berdin-MDC Elem. (English-Elementary), Bless Cyra Bustamante- Tubigon West Dist. (Binisaya-Elementary) Michelle Siao- Mater Dei College (English-High School/College) Sheila Marcojos – Cawayanan Nat’l High (Binisaya-High School/College)

Vocal solo winners are Ma. Hannah Precillas- Tubigon West Central (Elem.) and Wilvic Basio –Holy Cross Acad. (High School)

Vocal duet was with Riza Mae Sadora and Leonora Lagurin- Tubigon East Dist. (Elem) and Anna Angelika Escabarte and Catherine Arcayos- Holy Cross (High School/College)

Manuel Jungco- Holy Cross Academy romped with the guitar solo award.

Rio Escabella-MDC Elem. (Elem. Category) and Jejomar Fronteras- Holy Cross Acad. (High School/College) came home with Balak trophies.

Holy Cross Academy reigned solo for the dance drama competition offered for high schools and colleges. (RD/racPIABohol)