Ateneo department chair wins DOST Environmental Science Award

April 24, 2015
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Ateneo de Manila University’s Environmental Science Department chair Dr. Severino G. Salmo III was awarded the 2015 National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Environmental Science Award (NESA).

The award was also given to Forester Arsenio B. Ella of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) during awarding rites on Earth Day.

Both Salmo and Ella were accorded the recognition along with a P50,000 cash prize and a P1-million research grant.

Dr. Severino G. Salmo III

Salmo’s research was about the assessment of vegetation and soil conditions in restored mangroves which typhoon “Chan-hom” interrupted.

His research work focused on Anda and Bani, both municipalities in Pangasinan. He pointed to the ineffective planting of rhizophora species of mangrove planted on the coast being done in the current reforestation program.

Ateneo environmental scientists attend conservation biology conference in Malaysia

Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Forester Arsenio B. Ella (left) and Dr. Severino G. Salmo III of the Department of Environmental Science, Ateneo de Manila University, show the replica of the PhP50,000 check representing the grand prize which they received and shared during the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Environmental Science Award held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel, Malate, Manila on Wednesday (April 22, 2015). Ella’s winning paper, meanwhile, was about improving indigenous people’s (IP) adaptive capacity through the promotion of sustainable and community-based resin tapping of Almaciga tree (Agathis philippinesis Warb).

He said Almaciga resin is being used in many ways as important material for, among them, manufacture of paints, varnishes, printing ink, shoe polish, floor wax, incense, and caulking material for boats.

Ella added that the traditional method of harvesting resin like deep cutting, over tapping and frequent re-chipping has resulted in Almaciga trees’ premature death.
Indonesia is the largest resin producer in the world with the Philippines coming in second.
 

National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Member and Board of Judges NAST Environmental Science Award (NESA) Chair National Scientist Angel C. Alcala (3rd, right), hands to Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Forester Arsenio B. Ella (3rd left), and Dr. Severino G. Salmo III (center) of Ateneo de Manila University, the Php50,000 check replica during the NAST Environmental Science Award held at the New World Manila Bay Hotel, Malate, M

Photos courtesy of the Philippines News Agency (PNA) and the NAST FB page