Biyaheng Nuklyear goes North at DOST-Benguet’s Kasiyensiya Caravan
The fresh season heating up the Summer Capital rides a new wave of atomic innovations as DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute brings its Biyaheng Nukleyar to Baguio City this late March in partnership with the DOST-Baguio Benguet under the Kasiyensia Caravan campaign.
The campaign featured the “Knowledge Transfer: Forum on Nuclear Technology Applications and Remediated Mine Management” held at the Paragon Hotel on March 26, 2025. Participants were representatives from local government units, academic institutions and regional government agencies, among others.
The morning session started with an orientation about the basics of atomic structure and radioactivity, as well as the myths and misconceptions about nuclear energy by Dr. Ronald Daryll Gatchalian. The talk culminated in a demonstration on how radiation is detected by a survey meter and how to be shielded from naturally-occuring radiation sources as well as actual radioactive materials.
In the afternoon, the forum featured a host of nuclear and radiation-based solutions to the challenges and opportunities in the upland regions. These include technologies that address environmental challenges such as climate change as well as commercial and industrial waste from mine tailings and plastic pollutants, enhancing crop productivity through radiation-processed fertilizers, and hemostats for emergency bleeding, among others. Speakers were Dr. Juan Miguel Guotana, S&T Fellow for DOST-Cordillera Administrative Region; and PNRI’s Rico Neil Quirrez and Dr. Jordan Madrid, Scientist II.
Also presented at the forum were potential career and business opportunities at PNRI, including OJT/internship and guided tours.
DOST-Baguio Provincial Director Dr. Sheila Marie Singa-Claver said that the DOST sister agencies’ collaboration stemmed from an exploratory visit last year by DOST-CAR and La Trinidad, Benguet representatives who learned more about PNRI’s research reactor and irradiation faciliies.
“The visit made us realize that there are a number of areas where DOST-Baguio and PNRI can work together,” Dr. Claver said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nancy Bantog, regional director of DOST- Cordillera Administrative Region, emphasized how nuclear S&T is relevant to Filipinos, especially in the current situation of rising fuel costs.
More photos at https://www.facebook.com/PNRIDOST
