DOST scientists TOFIL 2013 awardees

MANILA, Philippines - Two scientists from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), forester Arsenio Ella, and Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco Lagmay of the DOST’s Project NOAH (Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards), were chosen as two of the country’s three The Outstanding Filipinos (TOFIL) Awardees for 2013, for different significant contributions, one for his contributions to setting up weather forecasting and disaster readiness systems, the other for helping indigenous communities in countryside areas earn sustainable livelihood via resin production from indigenous  trees  like pili or almaciga tree.

Ella, a scientist with the Department of Science and Technology’s Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), is noted for his efforts in leading countryside communities to earn sustainable livelihood from almaciga and pili trees in their areas, not by cutting them down for timber, but from optimized harvesting of resin from these trees, without damaging them.

Ella was conferred the prestigious award, co-established by JCI Senate Philippines and Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd., under the  scientific career  system, and under the Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development category.

Lagmay, on the other hand, was recognized for his leading role in the implementation of Project NOAH and its website. Launched in 2011 after the devastation caused by Typhoon Sendong in Northern Mindanao, Project NOAH operates more than 700 rain and other weather sensors that gather a variety of weather information all around the country.

The resin of the almaciga tree is a high-priced export commodity which is used in the making of varnishes, lacquer, soap, paint, printing inks, linoleum, water proofing materials, among others.

Much of Ella’s scientific works are geared towards promoting livelihood programs among indigenous communities through lectures and hands-on training on proper tapping of trees. One of his notable researches is the promotion of improved tapping of almaciga tree for sustained yield that is concluded to prolong the life span of almaciga tree, increase the quality of the tree’s resin production, increase the income of the tappers and help in the conservation program of the government since using  almaciga for timber and lumber production is banned.

Ella is a conferred scientist with a rank of Scientist III in the Scientific Career System, a reward and recognition program of the DOST and Civil Service Commission for highly productive scientific personnel in the government service.

Alongside Ella and Lagmay, the third TOFIL awardee was Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, who joined the roster of 120 other Filipinos who have been previously recognized as Outstanding Filipinos since 1988.

The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awards is a joint project of the Insular Life and the JCI Senate Philippines to honor the country’s men and women who have made significant contributions to the advancement in his/her field of expertise, public welfare and national development. The TOFIL Awarding Ceremony is scheduled on January 29, 2014.