Two New Scientists from PNRI Agriculture Research Section
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Honorable Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, Civil Service Commission Chairperson (extreme left) administers the oathtaking of PNRI Agriculture Research Section Head Ms. Glenda Obra (4th from right) and Mr. Fernando Aurigue from the PNRI Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology Research Unit (3rd from right) as they joined the new batch of Scientists under the Scientific Career System on June 19 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. Also in photo are Dr. Luningning E. Samarita-Domingo, Director IV, National Academy of Science and Technology – Philippines and Dr. Christina Binag, President of the National Research Council of the Philippines (1st and 2nd from right, respectively)
Two New Scientists from PNRI Agriculture Research Section
Heralding the improving capabilities and recognition among its research and development personnel, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) proudly congratulates two of its researchers in the field of agriculture who were included in the most recent batch of Scientists under the Scientific Career System.
Glenda Obra, the section head of the PNRI Agriculture Research Section and Fernando Aurigue of the Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology Research Group were formally awarded the rank of Scientist I along with three other researchers from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) during the oathtaking ceremonies hosted by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on June 19 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The oathtaking of new scientists was administered by Honorable Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, Chairperson, Civil Service Commission and Chairperson of the Scientific Career Council.
Specializing in entomology, Ms. Obra devoted her research to study the applications of radiation against pests which damage crops. Under her watch, PNRI has developed several measures which helped improve the welfare of the mango industry such as the sterile insect technique (SIT) against fruit flies in Guimaras Island, as well as the irradiation quarantine treatment for the mango pulp weevil, which is now certified under the US Federal Register.
She was also involved in the establishment of a treatment protocol on extended hot water dip (EHWD) as an alternative quarantine treatment for mangoes exported to China. Her section is currently developing SIT for use against mosquitos such as Aedes aegypti, which serves as the vector for the dreaded dengue virus.
Meanwhile, Mr. Aurigue’s work at PNRI involved the use of radiation to develop mutant varieties of ornamental plants such as orchids, anthuriums and hoyas. Mutation breeding involves the exposure of these crops to radiation to improve its characteristics such as changes in color, increase in yield, shortening of height and strengthened resistance against diseases. After several years of testing, three of these mutant varieties – Sword of Ibe (Sansevieria trifasciata), Golden Stairs (Freycinetia mulutiflora) and Afable (Cordyline fruticosa 'Kiwi') were successfully registered with the National Seed Industry Council as well as the Mutant Variety Database under the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Aside from his mutation breeding studies, Mr. Aurigue also contributed greatly to the study and popularization of Philippine Hoyas, having collected around 305 species, which are being maintained at the PNRI. Mr. Aurigue is also currently involved in the development and testing of PNRI’s recently developed Plant Food Supplements from irradiated natural polymers, which can increase the yield and resistance of food crops such as rice, mungbean and peanut.
Aiming to support the career and recognition of scientists in the public service, the Scientific Career System was established through Executive Order 784 and Executive Order 901, and was further strengthened by Republic Act 8439, also known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Government.
Entry in the Scientific Career System is both an honor and a challenge, with those selected having at least a master’s degree in the sciences, as well as significant outputs and contributions in relevant fields of applied and natural science. These include major publications such as scientific articles in international journals, books and compendiums, development of inventions, discoveries, practical applications of research findings and the training of the next generation of researchers, among others.
Two New Scientists from PNRI Agriculture Research Section
Heralding the improving capabilities and recognition among its research and development personnel, the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) proudly congratulates two of its researchers in the field of agriculture who were included in the most recent batch of Scientists under the Scientific Career System.
Glenda Obra, the section head of the PNRI Agriculture Research Section and Fernando Aurigue of the Plant Mutation Breeding and Biotechnology Research Group were formally awarded the rank of Scientist I along with three other researchers from the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) during the oathtaking ceremonies hosted by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on June 19 at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City.
The oathtaking of new scientists was administered by Honorable Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, Chairperson, Civil Service Commission and Chairperson of the Scientific Career Council.
Specializing in entomology, Ms. Obra devoted her research to study the applications of radiation against pests which damage crops. Under her watch, PNRI has developed several measures which helped improve the welfare of the mango industry such as the sterile insect technique (SIT) against fruit flies in Guimaras Island, as well as the irradiation quarantine treatment for the mango pulp weevil, which is now certified under the US Federal Register.
She was also involved in the establishment of a treatment protocol on extended hot water dip (EHWD) as an alternative quarantine treatment for mangoes exported to China. Her section is currently developing SIT for use against mosquitos such as Aedes aegypti, which serves as the vector for the dreaded dengue virus.
Meanwhile, Mr. Aurigue’s work at PNRI involved the use of radiation to develop mutant varieties of ornamental plants such as orchids, anthuriums and hoyas. Mutation breeding involves the exposure of these crops to radiation to improve its characteristics such as changes in color, increase in yield, shortening of height and strengthened resistance against diseases. After several years of testing, three of these mutant varieties – Sword of Ibe (Sansevieria trifasciata), Golden Stairs (Freycinetia mulutiflora) and Afable (Cordyline fruticosa 'Kiwi') were successfully registered with the National Seed Industry Council as well as the Mutant Variety Database under the Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Aside from his mutation breeding studies, Mr. Aurigue also contributed greatly to the study and popularization of Philippine Hoyas, having collected around 305 species, which are being maintained at the PNRI. Mr. Aurigue is also currently involved in the development and testing of PNRI’s recently developed Plant Food Supplements from irradiated natural polymers, which can increase the yield and resistance of food crops such as rice, mungbean and peanut.
Aiming to support the career and recognition of scientists in the public service, the Scientific Career System was established through Executive Order 784 and Executive Order 901, and was further strengthened by Republic Act 8439, also known as the Magna Carta for Scientists, Engineers, Researchers and other S & T Personnel in the Government.
Entry in the Scientific Career System is both an honor and a challenge, with those selected having at least a master’s degree in the sciences, as well as significant outputs and contributions in relevant fields of applied and natural science. These include major publications such as scientific articles in international journals, books and compendiums, development of inventions, discoveries, practical applications of research findings and the training of the next generation of researchers, among others.
PNRI Completes EU Project on Legal and Regulatory Framework
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EU officials and experts with the PNRI Nuclear Regulatory Division staff during their final meeting at PNRI.
PNRI Completes EU Project on Legal and Regulatory Framework
After five years of close cooperation with representatives and experts from the European Union (EU), the Philippines, through the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) has finally completed its technical cooperation project with the EU to enhance and strengthen the regulatory regime for nuclear safety in the Philippines in accordance with international obligations, criteria and practices.
From 2013 to 2017, PNRI engaged in the EU-funded project PH3.09/09 (PH/RA/01) entitled “Technical assistance for improving the legal framework for nuclear safety and strengthening the capabilities of the Regulatory Authority of the Philippines and its TSO (PNRI)” through several meetings, trainings, workshops and fellowships. The project formally ends in June 2017.
The final project meeting was held at PNRI on March 24 with EU project counterparts and management team in attendance, namely Jorge Luis Hernandez, Jean-Yves Ravachol, Przemyslaw Imielski, Marianne Jelinski, Yann Berna, Mark Hulsmans, Francesca Nieto and Michel Chouha.
Around 20 experts from the EU facilitated the exchange of information, experiences and reference materials on topics covering legal and regulatory systems of other EU member countries vis-à-vis the Philippines, regulatory processes, safety requirements, human resource assessment and development and safety management system. The EU Project Team is composed of RISKAUDIT (France), IRSN (France), BEL V (Belgium), GRS (Germany), ITER Consult (Italy), STUK (Finland) and SUJB (Czech Republic).
Philippine experts participated in 14 major events organized under the project. Aside from PNRI, participants also came from agencies such as the National Power Corporation, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Health – Center for Device Regulation, Radiation Health and Research, and the Department of Science and Technology Legal Office. Fourteen PNRI regulators also engaged in on-the-job training and study visits in their counterpart regulatory agencies and nuclear facilities in Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, and Germany.
The implementation of the project, led by Mr. Teofilo V. Leonin, Jr., Chief, Nuclear Regulatory Division, was divided into four major tasks with corresponding PNRI project counterparts: Task 1 – Technical Assistance for the Enhancement OfThe Regulatory Framework in the Philippines (M.V. Palattao/ A.A. Singayan), Task 2 – Enhancement of The Regulatory Processes For Assessing Nuclear Safety and Licensing Of Nuclear Power Plants (V.K. Parami/E.G. Racho), Task 3 – Strengthening Capabilities Of The Nuclear Regulator In Deterministic And Probabilistic Safety Assessment (C.M. Nohay) and Task 4 – Human Resources Development Plan And Training Program for PNRI And Its TSO (L.B. Cayabo).
The EU-funded project, the first of its kind, has resulted in a remarkable outputs and enhancement of the regulatory capabilities of PNRI, particularly in their technical background on legal and regulatory infrastructure for nuclear power plants, inter alia, all the technical documents and reference materials needed in performing the regulatory functions of PNRI. The final meeting was concluded by a plant walkdown of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
Another major outcome of the project was reflected in the drafting of the Code of PNRI Regulations (CPR) Part 5 on Site Evaluation Criteria and CPR Part 7 on Licensing Requirements for Nuclear Installations, and the Human Resource Development Plan (HRDP) and Training Program for the staff of the PNRI Nuclear Regulatory Division (NRD).
Under Republic Acts 2067 and 5207, both as amended, and Executive Order 128, PNRI serves as the regulatory body of the Philippines for nuclear and radioactive materials and facilities, a function that PNRI performs through the NRD.
The Philippines Signs a Country Programme Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for 2016-2021
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From the International Atomic Energy Agency
Ms Carol M. Yorobe, Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology, and Mr Dazhu Yang, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, have signed The Philippines’s Country Programme Framework (CPF) for the period of 2016 - 2021 on 31.05.2017. A CPF is the frame of reference for the medium-term planning of technical cooperation between a Member State and the IAEA and identifies priority areas where the transfer of nuclear technology and technical cooperation resources will be directed to support national development goals.
The Philippines has been an IAEA Member State since 1958. Its 2016-2021 CPF identifies six priority areas:
- Food and Agriculture
- Natural Resources and Environment
- Energy
- Industry
- Human Health
- Nuclear Safety and Security
DepEd NCR Writeshop on Nuclear Science at PNRI
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PNRI Officer-in-Charge Dr. Carlos Primo David and DOST Science Education Institute Director Dr. Josette Biyo (1st row, 8th and 9th from left, respectively) with PNRI and Department of Education - National Capital Region (DepEd - NCR) officials and participants of the Writeshop on Lesson Exemplar Integrating Nuclear Science at PNRI Auditorium, Diliman, Quezon City (May 23, 2017)
