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www.csc.gov.ph April 2011 I The eNewsletter of the Philippine Civil Service I

PraescriptioChairman Francisco T. Duque III

Civil Service Commission

THE WORLD has seen a tremendous focus on the environ-ment upon the release of Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” in 2006. Environment awareness, “Go Green” cam-

paigns, and efforts to develop renewable sources of energy have been the hype in recent years. These, however, are no longer new to the Philippines.

In light of the catastrophe that happened in Japan last month, we revisit our country’s own efforts in nuclear science and technology. How advanced are we? What is the status of our nuclear research? You may find out about this on page 1.

We also featured the country’s alternative sources of energy as the country is rich in natural resources that allow us to generate energy aside from fossil fuels. Read about it on page 4.

Lastly, read how an outstanding civil servant in the name of Teodisia Bernaldez managed to promote her municipality through eco-tourism. As we celebrate Earth Day on April 22, let’s keep in mind how we humans are the ones responsible in the preserva-tion or degradation of our beloved planet and environment. It is my hope that as civil servants, we do not only serve the public, but we are also good citizens of Planet Earth. •

Triple E’s:

Earth, Energy & Environment

MARCH 11, 2011. A 9.0-magnitude undersea earth-quake hit Japan and triggered a 15-meter tsunami along Japan’s northern pacific coast. That’s breaking

news enough to alarm the world. But what made this natural catastrophe even more alarming was news about the possible meltdown of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant reac-tors in Japan which have been badly affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

This incident suddenly brought to light the Philippines’ own nuclear research. Lack of knowledge on nuclear science and technology has gone to the extent of causing panic and the spread of false text messages about the ill-effects of radiation exposure.

Nuclear research has been going on in the county since 1958. The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), a research institute under the Department of Science and Tech-

PNRI: innovations in the ]nuclear level

(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) Filipino scientists at the Philippine Nuclear Re-search Institute (PNRI) use a SAM portable Gamma Spectrometer to measure the gamma radiation levels in the atmosphere at the PNRI facility in Quezon City.

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nology, is mandated to advance and regulate the safe and peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology in the Philippines. It was formerly known as the Philippine Atomic Energy Commission.

The Philippines constructed its own nu-clear power plant in the late 1970s during the Marcos administration. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), however, never went into operation when the Cory administration decid-ed against it following the Chernobyl incident in 1986. Though the country does not have an operating nuclear power plant, there are many other applications of nuclear science and tech-nology that the PNRI has been working on.

The PNRI extends specialized nuclear and allied services to clients from industrial, business, medical, government and academic sectors to encourage and widen the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technol-ogy in various fields.

In 2008, the PNRI has developed a wound dressing called hydrogel which is made from a seaweed product and polyvinyl pyr-rolidone through radiation technology. This wound dressing is found to be more effective in reducing pain and scar formation. Another study is on the application of nuclear techno-logy in detecting red tide. The PNRI gained international recognition for this.

Some of the advantages of nuclear sci-ence include cost-efficiency and applications to the advancement of several technologies.

Nuclear science is used in medicine (MRI, PET scans and x-rays), agriculture (development of crops, food sterilization), and industries (main-tenance and safety monitoring of structural integrity of industrial plants). On the other hand, there is also a downside to this like the expensive installation of a nuclear power plant and health hazards due to exposure to radia-tion.

Nuclear power“Simply put, nuclear power is power

generated from nuclear fission. The break-down of the nucleus of an atom releases high amounts of energy which would be converted to electricity,” explained PNRI Nuclear Services Division Chief Dr. Christina Petrache.

Uranium, the element used as nuclear fuel, undergoes fission which produces heat. Water is then passed through the core of a nuclear reactor, therefore producing steam. This steam would turn the turbines and that would generate electricity. The steam would be condensed back to water which will be pumped back into the core to repeat the cycle.

Dr. Petrache said that compared to sun and wind which produce intermittent power, nuclear power produces base load power. “Intermittent power means ‘kung may hangin, may mapro-produce na power; kung walang hangin, walang power.’ Whereas in nuclear power, you only need a minimum amount of uranium fuel to produce high amounts of energy,” she explained. Power generation through nuclear activity is said to be cost-efficient in the long run despite its expensive initial costing.

The futureResearch and development on nuclear

science and technology in the country would continue amid nuclear disasters in power plants. “Tuluy-tuloy pa rin. Maraming ibang applications like in medicine, agriculture and industries,” Dr. Petrache said.

She noted that there only two nuclear engineers now in the PNRI but gave assurance that this is not a limiting factor to the future of a nuclear power plant in the country. “It’s more on political decisions now, no longer on the technical aspects,” she said. •

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant situated in Morong, Bataan.

Photo source: http: manilatimes.net

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“It’s more on political

decisions now, no longer on the

technical aspects.”

- Dr. Christina Petrache, Chief of PNRI Nuclear

Services Division

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［6,900μSv/each time］

［1,000μSv/year］

［600μSv/each time］

［50μSv/each time］

［50μSv/year］

［～10,000μSv/year］

［～2,400μSv/year］

［～400μSv/year］

［～200μSv/round trip］

［22μSv/year］

［10μSv/year］

(Ref) Average dose rate at the monitoring post of Tokyo (3/16 9:00～3/17 9:00, , March) : 0.054μSv/h = 474μSv/y

Radiation dose(microsievert:μSv）

10,000

1,000

100

10

250,000

［50,000μSv/year］

Upper limit of radiation dose permitted for people who engage in emergency work.

Upper limit of radiation dose permitted for radiation workers, police , and firefighters who engage in disaster prevention.

［250,000μSv/year］

50,000

Radiation in Daily-life

Radiation dose in Guarapari(Brazil) per year.

Natural radiation dose per year.

Global average

Maximum difference of the average of natural radiation dose in each prefecture.

Gifu Kanagawa

An air travel between Tokyo and New York (RT).

(Increased cosmic radiation at high altitude.)

Evaluated dose of radiation from radioactive substance emitted from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant per year.

Standard radiation dose from Clearance level.

Space 0.39 ingestion 0.29

Earth

0.48

Radon absorbed

in air 1.26

Standard dose of radiation around a nuclear plant (light water reactor).

(Actual result is far below the value.)

Chest X-ray examination.

gastrointestinal X-ray examination.

Dose limit for public per year (except for medical care).

Chest CT scan

※Unit : μSv

RADIATION EXPOSURE is measured by a standard unit called microsievert (μSv). A nuclear power plant disaster is not the sole cause of radiation emission. Contrary to common perception, we are exposed to radiation in our daily life. A frequent flyer, for example, is more exposed due to increased cosmic radiation at high altitude. In medicine, we get radiation exposure through

chest and dental x-rays. There are also natural radiation from the soil, the food and water we ingest, and even our own bodies are made up of elements that have radioactive isotopes. Technological and industrial developments also add to our radiation exposure. The global average of natural radiation dose is about 2,400 μSv/year. That being said, unless we are exposed to radiation levels high above 100,000 μSv/year, there is no need to worry about the possible hazards of radiation.

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Source: Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

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HARNESSING RENEWABLE energy sources as alternative to fossil fuels started as early as the 18th century.

With the rise of climate change concerns, coupled with increasing oil prices, utilizing renewable energy has now become a neces-sity. However, up to these times, only a few countries have built and developed these as their energy sources and the Philippines is one of the countries leading the way in Asia. Heralded as a landmark move, the Renewable Energy Act in 2008 or the R.E. Act passed by the Philippine Congress was reportedly the first and most comprehensive in the region back then. The Act seeks to make the country 60% energy sufficient and mitigate problems caused by climate change.

To date, the Department of Energy (DOE) has already identified various renewable energy technologies and their applications. Meanwhile, the R.E. Act identified six potential energy sources namely: geothermal, wind, solar, mini-hydro, ocean and biomass.

Data from the DOE indicate that the Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal power in the world, next to the United States. Historically, it is the largest supplier of electricity among the country's indigenous resources. Geothermal energy is thermal energy generated and which deter-mines the temperature of matter. The earth's geothermal energy originates from radioactive decay of minerals, from volcanic activity, hot

springs and from solar energy absorbed at the surface.

Geothermal energy exploration and development is a critical part of the DOE's aggressive investment promotion campaigns. Public awareness campaigns are conducted to boost private sector investments in geother-mal projects, enhance its acceptability and harmonize the same with environmental and social concerns.

Meanwhile, hydropower has been used for centuries. The Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour more than 2,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, American and European factories used the water wheel to power machines. Hydropower is energy that comes from the continuous natural cycle of moving water, which is why it easier to build a hydro plant where there is a natural waterfall. Dams, which are artificial waterfalls, are the next best alternative to harness renewable energy.

There are many hydro electric power plants in the Philippines dispersedly located mostly in Luzon. The more popular dams are the Ambuklao and Binga in Benguet, Angat in Bulacan, Magat in Isabela, Pantabangan in Nueva Ecija, San Roque in Pangasinan and the Agusan Dam in Bukidnon.

Due to socio-environmental concerns, there has been considerable resistance to the

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As The Way To Gogreen energy

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further development of large hydropower projects given the potential for upstream flooding, destruction of agricultural areas and animal habitat and disruption of communities in the affected areas. These factors have af-fected the attractiveness of large hydropower projects.

Also among the major sources of energy for the next decade are biomass, wind, solar and ocean which are seen to account for more than a third of the country's total energy demand. From 81.5 Million Barrels of Oil Equivalents (MMBFOE) in 2003, the absolute level of these sources is seen to increase by 2.8 percent annually reaching 104.1 MMBFOE in 2012. Biomass will continue to take the lion's share of the total at 99 percent. Mean-while, the contribution of solar, wind and ocean reached 0.6 MMBFOE in 2003 rising to 1.7 MMBFOE in 2007 and will hit 3.0 MMBFOE in 2012.

At present, biomass technologies utilized in the country vary from the use of ba-gasse or the fibrous matter that remains after sugarcane or sorghum stalks are crushed to ex-tract their juice, rice/coconut husks dryers for crop drying, biomass gasifiers for mechanical and electrical applications, fuel wood and agri wastes for oven, kiln, furnace and cook stoves for cooking and heating purposes.

Based on information from the Depart-ment of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Philippines could generate substantial volumes of residues which can be utilized as energy fuel. Latest estimates reveal that the country's agriculture sector indicate that by 2012, biomass supply potential is expected to reach 323.1 MMBFOE. Based on geographi-cal consideration on biomass supply, there is an abundant supply of bagasse in Regions III, IV, VI and VII. Coconut residues abound in Regions IV, VIII, IX and XI while rice hull is abundant in Regions II, III, IV and VI.

Being situated on the fringes of the Asia-Pacific monsoon belt, the Philippines exhibits a promising potential for wind energy. Data from the Philippine Geophysical Astro-nomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA)

shows that the country has a mean average of about 31 watts per square meter (W/m2) of wind power density. In addition, a study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in 1999 shows over 10,000 sq. km. of windy land areas estimated to exist with a good-to-excellent wind resource potential. Using conservative assumptions, the winds in the country could theoretically support over 70,000 MW of potential installed capacity.

The same study also conducted a resource assessment of our solar power potential. One of the highly utilized renewable energy sources is the solar power. It works by converting the sun's light into heat and me-chanical energy that will power the generator to produce electricity. It is being widely used in most parts of the world, and it gives a lot of benefits; such as it is dependable and it can last long. The study by PAGASA showed that the country has an annual potential average of 5.1 kilowatt-hour (kWh)/m2/day. Based on the 2001 inventory of solar technologies, a total of 5,120 solar systems, which include solar water heaters and dryer systems, have been installed.

The country's ocean resource area consists of 1,000 sq. km. attributed mainly to its archipelagic nature. In 2010, DOE has identified 22 prospective sites that can be developed to produce the much needed ad-ditional power capacity using ocean energy resources. These ocean resources could gener-ate as much as 170,000 megawatts. Tapping the ocean as an energy resource involves emerging technologies that use the power of temperature difference, waves and tides to create energy.

Eventually the world will run out of fossil fuels, but before this happens, we need to have a reliable replacement ready. Renew-able energy sources can provide security of supply because they cannot be depleted. And as long our planet exists, the sun is likely to shine and wind is likely to blow. And all we need to do is find the best methods to make harnessing of these renewable energy sources more efficient. •

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IN A recent article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a local river tour was being com-pared by foreigners to the Rhine river cruise

in Paris and the canals tour in Amsterdam. The writer was actually talking about the Loboc River tour, one of the main tourist attractions in Bohol. Such praise for the cruise is a result of developing the Loboc Tourism Complex into an exceptional tourist spot.

Behind this is Engineer Teodosia Ber-naldez, head of the Municipal Tourism Office, who spearheaded the development project – from its conceptualization, feasibility study, defense, planning and funding, and implemen-tation despite criticism and hindrances. With total customer satisfaction in mind, Bernaldez ensured that trained boat operators and crew members assist local and foreign tourists, that the complex was wi-fi enabled, and that free rides were provided to senior citizens. Upon its completion, the complex became an

income and job generating hub, promoting local culture and performing arts, preserv-ing the environment and maximizing natural resources. The site now has an orderly parking lot, helpful directional signage, friendly guides, and clean toilets. Local and foreign tourists are assisted by trained boat operators and crew members. The tour also includes perfor-mances from the Loboc Youth Ambassadors and the Loboc Children’s Choir, which have garnered awards here and abroad. Foreign and local tourists have been flocking to the site to experience the relaxing boat ride, taste fresh seafood in the floating restaurant, and enjoy the pollution-free environment. The peak in tourism also helped achieve a P21.5 million tourism income in 2009.

“Engineer Bernaldez bases her deci-sions on what is best not only for the tourists but for the residents as well,” says Loboc Mu-nicipal Mayor Leon Calipusan. “She thinks and

Bernaldez’s Loboc, Bohol’s eco-tourism

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“One of the best returns about my work is to know

that I made positive contributions to the lives of my fellow Lobocanon.”

- Engr. Teodosia Bernaldez, 2010 Lingkod Bayan Awardee

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acts in terms of the entire customer experi-ence and continuously seeks ways to improve all parts of the experience. She has the ability to implement change in the organization.”

Indeed, in thinking of customer satis-faction, Engineer Bernaldez went the extra mile to establish a tourist attraction which benefited not only Bohol but the Philippines as well.

With the daunting task she was about to tackle, Bernaldez decided to become part of the solution instead of the problem. She does not consider herself bound by job description. She was not afraid to heed to the call of some-thing bigger than herself when she embarked on the Lobo River project. For her, the job ceased to be robotic paperwork. It became a Lobocanon advocacy on environmentalism and tourism.

“One of the best returns about my work is to know that I made positive contribu-tions to the lives of my fellow Lobocanon,” Bernaldez explains. “There is a strong sense of pride to see that more people, local and foreign, are coming to appreciate our place. From 155,447 tourists in 2005, tourist arrival in 2009 was already 318,760. Earnings gener-ated by the tourism operations of LGU-Loboc increased from P739 thousand in 2005, to P21 million in 2009. The benefits were felt by the many sectors of the community.”

Bernaldez’s perspective seems to be shared by her fellow Boholanos. The whole province is caught up in the compelling call

of the environment. It’s no wonder that Ace Durano, former Tourism Secretary, said that the Boholanos were already doing eco-tourism even before it became a buzz word. There is collective pride among the people as the island province continues to gain recognition in the Philippines and the world. Their officials are also involved in upholding what they dub as “eco-cultural tourism.” Cebu-Philippines.net, a travel website, describes this concept as the integration of honoring both nature and Bohol’s heroes, while “instilling in the tour-ists' mind the idea of preserving nature, the natural landscape, the watershed, the forest ecosystem and the town's history and cultural heritage.”

Both Filipinos and foreigners enjoyed what Bohol has to offer. Aside from the Loboc River Cruise, there is also the Chocolate Hills, the man-made forest, heritage sites, white beaches, and the ever endearing Philippine tarsier. All these attractions are nestled in one of the most environmentally-friendly places in the Philippines.

Bernaldez understands the delicate balance between people and nature, which is also reminiscent of the relationship between the governing and the governed. Bohol exem-plifies the kind of harmony that is beneficial to all players in society. This all boils down to good governance. “I dream that a time will come when most, if not all, government work-ers will not forget that we are all appointed to benefit the public interest, and not the other way around,” Bernaldez says. •

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The Honor Awards Program (HAP) Secretariat would like to thank the agencies and indivi-

duals for submitting your nominations for the 2011 Search for Outstanding Public Servants. The Special Committees on the Lingkod Bayan/Pagasa Awards and Dangal ng Bayan Awards shall convene for the evaluation of the nominations.

LIKE the official HAP fan page: www.facebook.com/honorawardsprogram for more updates on the 2011 Search for Outstanding Public Servants!

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How Gender SenSitive Are You*?

MOSTLY A’s: Gabriela

The statements found in most A’s challenge and oppose the established gender roles in the society. For instance, answers in questions numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 place a woman in professions usually dominated by men such as in the police force, practice of law, in construction and in the army.

For the last 100 years women have been fighting for the same rights as men and were able to make changes to the tradition-ally accepted feminine gender role especially around the turn of the 19th to the 20th cen-tury with the struggle for women's suffrage.

But, according to the 2009 Shriver Re-port, even though the situation for women has improved during the last century, discrimina-tion is still widespread: women earn an aver-age of 77 cents to every one dollar men earn, occupy lower-ranking job positions than men, and do most of the housekeeping work.

Knowing one’s worth as a women will go a long way towards improving the statistics on making a difference on the fight for gender equity.

*Quiz taken from www.quibblo.com.

Last month, we gave you a pop quiz entitled, “How Gender Sensitive Are You?” The gender

sensitivity assessment test is designed to explain some of the current thinking on gender issues. The

answers provided are aimed towards providing suggestions to help us appropriately

express gender relationships.

Meanwhile, on the stance against domestic violence, A answers reflect women’s courage to take a stand and report the abuse rather than waiting for someone to interfere.

Violence is a stark reality that women have to struggle with everyday and for Filipino women who grapple with poverty in a feudal patriarchal context, the challenge is greater. Thus, the passage of the Anti-violence against Women and Children Act of 2004 and Repub-lic Act No. 9710 or the the Mana Carta on Women are concrete gains that are used in giving protection to women.

MOSTLY B’s:

Male Domination

Most of the statements in B imply the inclination towards male rule and privilege, and the dependency on female subordination. Examples of such are B answers in items 2, 4 and 6: “If the police officer in my street were a woman, I would (B) feel insecure”, “I would only trust a lawyer who is (B) A man; and “A woman would be better in a job such as (B) A Secretary”.

Domination by men of women has been traced as far back as 3100 B.C. Even the works of Aristotle viewed women as morally,

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intellectually, and physically inferior to men; saw women as the property of men; claimed that women's role in society was to reproduce and serve men in the household; and saw male domination of women as natural and virtuous.

Furthermore, gender stereotyping such as placing women in the role of secretary, housewife, homemaker are also evident in answers that are Bs.

Gender stereotyping according to the June 2002 Review by the Social Science Research Unit, University of London is formed at an early age with men and women being identified with particular occupations. Much work is being done to challenge such gender stereotyping, especially to encourage women to enter professions which have traditionally been a largely male domain, such as construc-tion and engineering.

In Question no. 13, “A family has two kids, a girl and a boy, who should help the parents with the chores? The answer in B says that the girl should. Men find domestic chores unpleasant and boring and prefer tasks that are more of physical nature. In extreme situ-ations, particularly in Tanzania, it's a taboo to some tribes for a man to be seen in a kitchen preparing meals or anything. All household chores including ensuring the availability of safe and clean drinking water is of the women and their female children. They wake up very

early in the morning and travel miles just to fetch water.

MOSTLY C’s:

Not a matter of gender

Gender Sensitivity is not about pitting women against men. It is about destroying biases and promoting a just society. Discrimi-nation exists for both men and women. It does not respect individuals.

The Philippine Constitution provides: "The State recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the funda-mental equality before the law of women and men." Strategic measures have been adopted to ensure this. Laws enshrining women's right to equality have been enacted. However, laws alone do not guarantee gender equality. For example, Republic Act 6752 prohibits discrimi-nation with respect to terms and conditions of employment. But in work requiring physi-cal effort, the usual practice is to favor male applicants. Because of this unequal condition, equity should be applied to open this particu-lar work opportunity to women.

If your answers are mostly C’s, your ability to respect individuals irrelevant of sex is indeed commendable. •

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Gen Renella F. LeañoEditor-in-Chief

Ethel T. MontemayorErika Jean C. CabanawanAnne Giselle P. GuevarraContributors

Melendriz Jane P. TevesLayout Artist

Jessie N. PanlilioPhotographer

Eriberto B. DionisioCirculation

Chairman Francisco T. Duque IIIDirector IV Maria Luisa Salonga-AgamataDirector III Ma. Theresa C. FernandezAdvisers

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