Heat Treatment: A greener option for pallet protection

In response to the call for a greener environment, the DOST’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) offers an eco-friendly technology for the wooden pallet industry. The Institute’s Furnace Type Heat Treatment Facility (FHTF) can provide the heat needed to kill insects and other pests infesting wood packaging materials (WPMs) such as wooden pallets.

WPMs are commonly used in transporting commodities around the globe as they are relatively cheaper than plastic and metal containers. However, WPMs made of unprocessed wood are vulnerable to pest attacks and can introduce and spread pests from one country to another.

In 2002, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) adopted the Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade or the ISPM 15, which requires all WPMs to undergo heat treatment or methyl bromide (MB) fumigation and consequently, be stamped with the IPPC seal.

“Heat treatment using the FPRDI-designed FHTF is an ecologically safe way to get IPPC marks for WPMs,” said Ms. Wency H. Carmelo, Senior Research Specialist at FPRDI. “MB fumigation is hazardous to the environment. MB is 60 times more damaging to the ozone layer than chlorine and is blamed for 5-10% of worldwide ozone depletion, thereby increasing the risk of exposure to the harmful ultraviolet rays. MB also makes wood non-recyclable. Exposure to high concentration of MB has resulted in a number of human deaths,” Carmelo stressed.

 Meanwhile, Carmelo said that heat treatment using FHTF does nothing destructive to the environment.

“Heat treatment requires that the pallet blocks’ wood core be treated at 56°C for at least 30 minutes. Our study revealed that the average heat treatment time is 5 hours which will only cost Php 6.68 per pallet when using a 10,000-board foot-capacity FHTF. That is 46% cheaper than MB fumigation.”

The surge in demand for local pallets began with the onset of global industrialization in the late 1990s. In 2009, Region IV-A alone accounted for at least 30 pallet makers that produced 2,000 pallets a day. “With FTLD’s heat treatment, we not only help make our environment greener, we also offer to our clients a safer and cheaper way to get IPCC stamps to sustain the growth of their businesses,” Carmelo concluded. ### (Apple Jean C. Martin and Rizalina K. Araral, 17 February 2012)

Bulakenyos hail bar topnotcher

MALOLOS CITY— Bulakenyos hailed Raoul Angelo Atadero, the son of Meycauayan City councilor, for topping the 2011 bar examinations.

As this developed, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Bulacan chapter is preparing to honor him.

“It’s no ordinary achievement. It’s really inspiring,” said Lawyer Ted Villanueva, the present of the IBP-Bulacan.

However, he said that while Atadero topped the bar, his parents must be also be recognized.

“I tip my hats off to his parents for helping and encouraging him,” Villanueva said referring to Meycauayan City Councilor Raoul Atadero and his wife.

The Ataderos came from Brgy. Saluysoy in Meycauayan City and has been operating a string of pawnshops in different parts of the country.

As president of IBP-Bulacan, Villanueva added that they hope that Atadero will join their chapter.

“We are preparing to give him recognition, along with other Bulakenyo bar passers,” he said.

Lawyer Jose Dela Rama Jr., the former IBP-Bulacan president said Atadero will be included in the roster of Bulakenyo bar top notchers.

Dela Rama said that IBP Bulacan has established a wall of fame in recognition to bar examinees who made it to the top 10.

For his part, Lawyer Teddy De Belen, the head of the Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) said Atadero’s feat is another testament that Bulakenyos are ready to excel if given a chance.

“Bulakenyos are really cut above the rest.  We are proud of them,” he said noting that almost every year, a Bulakenyo always land in the top 10 of the annual bar examinations.

The same was echoed by Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, who passed the bar about four years ago.

“Bulakenyos continuously position its youth as a potent source of bright men motivated by opportunities in their proximity to schools,” Natividad said.

This year, Atadero is joined in the top 10 by Eireene Xinia Acosta of San Jose Del Monte City who placed 7^th

Woman gave birth to triplets on February 29

MALOLOS CITY—February 29 is a rare day, but it was made more unusual with the birth of a triplet at the Bulacan Medical Center (BMC) on the same day.

Dr. Protacio Badjao, BMC director said the triplets were born to Analyn Santos 27, from Brgy. Kabayunan in the mountain town of Donya Remedios Trinidad in eastern Bulacan.

Analyn was rushed by her husband Philiip, 27, to BMC on Wednesday morning. Philip, is a farmer.

The triplets were born via caesarian operation.

Records showed that the first baby was at 12:38PM on Wednesday, followed by the second at 12:39PM and the third at 12:40PM.

The triplets were named Simon, Sakira and Shiennie

While the birth of the triplets brought joy to the Santoses, the parents also expressed concern over the future of their triplets.

Philip said that they might have a hard time raising the triplets,along with their oldest child.

He said that his savings were almost depleted by his wife’s operation.

He also said they now need more medicine as his wife was diagnosed with Hepatitis B.

Doctors said that the mother might infect her babies with hepatitis B. 

UK ambassador visits Bulacan

MALOLOS CITY- His Excellency Stephen Lillie, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the Philippines said the province of Bulacan is playing a major role in boosting the image of the Philippines as one of the fast growing economies in Southeast Asia.

“Your great province has so many things to offer. It is a well situated place for investments and there are lots of job opportunities,” Ambassador Lillie said during his visit to the province yesterday.

Accompanied by Her Majesty’s Consul Brendan Gill and British youths from the Global Exchange Program, the ambassador was welcomed by the top officials of the province headed by Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Alvarado, Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, Northern Luzon Command Chief Lt. Gen. Anthony Alcantara and municipal mayors at the Hiyas ng Bulacan Pavillion here.

Ambassador Lillie said he was invited by Gov. Alvarado to visit Bulacan and he was very thankful for the opportunity to visit the historic province. He added that the invitation is one way of strengthening the ties between the United Kingdom and the province of Bulacan.

“In my two and a half years as the British Ambassador, I am deeply touched by the warm welcome of the Filipino people. Today, we share freedom and we look forward to increase trade and to a better relationship,” Lillie said in his brief message at the lunch reception hosted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB).

When asked what he can say about Bulacan, the British envoy said that it’s more fun to be in Bulacan, particularly in the historic city of Malolos which is known as the cradle of democracy in Asia.

“Despite thousands of miles between Great Britain and the Philippines, we still have many things in common—the language we speak and our Christian faith,” the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, Alvarado said during his welcome speech that the reunion of Bulacan and Britain is much different now compared to its first meeting 250 years ago.

“The world is different now; we have found it better and to our interest to explore all the possibilities that will make us former allies and enemies share a better, safer world. We are grasping each other’s hand, not in the spirit of animosity, but in the spirit of brotherhood, friendship and cooperation,” said the governor.

Alvarado added that he hopes that the said meeting will serve as a recommitment between Great Britain and Bulacan to help one another in search of common solutions to the common problems and to share the same dreams.

Further, the top local chief executive said that there will be talks between the British embassy and the PGB about the youth exchange program so that young Bulakenyos will be able to go to the United Kingdom and learn their culture as well as their technologies.

“Actually the organization is the one who assigned us here and I’m much pleasured that they assigned me here in the Philippines. We are a group of dedicated youth volunteers who find solutions based on problems that we see in Bulacan particularly in Hagonoy like health issues (healthy lifestyle), and family planning,” Tilly Alcayna-Stevens, a member of the Global Exchange, British youth volunteer said.

The British ambassador later visited the historic Barasoain Church where he prayed, and the nearby Casa Real ruins in this historic capital city

3 Bulacan journalists feted

(left-right)  Dino, Carmela annd Romulo.

MALOLOS CITY—Three journalists here were feted by the Bulacan State University (BulSU) for their contribution to journalism education.

They are Romulo Maturingan of GMA News Network, Carmela Reyes-Estrope of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and this writer who also writes for Mabuhay, a local weekly newspaper.

All three journalists are teaching part-time with the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) of the BulSU.

Florentino Pineda Jr., the chair of CAL’s department of mass communications and performing arts said the journalists were given recognition for their commitment, passion and expertise in the field of journalism.

“They all served as an inspiration to our students and help enhance their potentials,” Pineda said.

A member of the GMA Newsdesk, Maturingan started teaching at the university last year.

He is teaching students majoring in broadcast communications.

For their part, Reyes-Estrope and this writer started teaching Bachelor of Arts in Journalism students in 2010.

Pineda said all three journalists are also instrumental in improving the Mass Communication program of the university by providing inputs.

This includes the inclusion of more field more for students and introduction of students to new media.

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