During the orientation meeting on ‘University Policies and Guidelines on Food Services’ held on January 23, 2025, at the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Conference Room, Medical Officer III Dr. Abegail M. Abundo emphasized the prohibition of energy drinks in the campus canteens. As stipulated under Section 7 of Resolution No. 101, s. 2024, energy drinks are not allowed to be sold to students and employees. The university medical officer explained that many students have been reporting to the clinic with complaints of palpitations. Upon investigation, it was found by their office that these students frequently consume energy drinks like Sting. “Maraming dinadalang student sa clinic na nagpa-palpitate, and upon investigation, lagi pa lang umiinom ng Sting,” Dr. Abundo stated. With this, the canteen is required to offer more nutrient-rich options, such as milk, shakes, and juices, which align to the university policy. The said approved policy by the board aims to ensure that food offered on campus is accessible, sufficient, safe, and healthy. In fact, the resolution is also aligned with food safety and sanitary guidelines established by the Department of Health. To ensure the proper implementation of these guidelines, the Office of the Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, the Office of Student Affairs and Development Services, and the Office of Health Services are tasked with overseeing food service operations on campus. At the end of the meeting, food business operators raised some concerns, and Nurse IV Emeline Francia P. Abrasaldo assured them that the concerns would be communicated to the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance for further action. Abrasaldo also shared that regular monitoring of food safety, hygiene, and sanitation practices is conducted by the Health Services on a quarterly basis to maintain high standards for all campus food outlets.
Following a meeting on November 14 with the executive management of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), the university announced that it will open designated rooms to support pre-emptive evacuations for residents affected by the incoming Typhoon Pepito. In coordination with the local barangay and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), CatSU will offer 13 rooms in the Nutrition and Dietetics building as evacuation centers for families seeking shelter. Meanwhile, work at the university has been suspended today to prioritize safety and preparedness, with classes already suspended since yesterday.
In a bid to promote sustainable development through consequential services directly to the community, Catanduanes State University Extension Services (CatSU - ES) has launched a comprehensive training program on charcoal briquette making, September 12, 2024. The program is in collaboration with the Provincial Science & Technology Catanduanes (PSTC) and DOST Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). It is also under the Department of Labor and Employment Integrated Livelihood Program or DILP that is primarily aimed at providing long term source of income for farmers and fisher folks. The initiative also form part of CatSU's broader mission to address environmental concerns and support economic development in the island. Essentially, it aims to equip participants with comprehensive expertise that is required to effectively produce high-quality charcoal briquettes from coconut wastes, rice hull, pili nutshell, and bagasse. The two-day training comes with the objectives of ensuring to provide the participants the necessary proficiency in operating various types of briquetting machine for the production, equip them with the knowledge and practical skills needed for routine maintenance and troubleshooting of briquetting machines to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operation. It also included the provision of training on safety protocols and best practices for operating briquetting machines, making sure that all participants adhere to safety standards and operate equipment safely to prevent accidents and equipment damage. Charcoal briquettes, a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional charcoal, are made by compressing charcoal dust and other organic materials into uniform shapes. They offer a more sustainable energy source with reduced emissions and improved combustion efficiency.A total of 20 active participants were members of Progreso Coconut Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (PROCOFAGCO), the assisted association of the College of Industrial Technology-CatSU under the DOLE Livelihood Program. All association members have shown considerable interest in the program, viewing it as a chance to diversify their income sources and contribute to environmental sustainability. The training is also expected to foster community collaboration, with participants sharing knowledge and resources to improve production techniques and market reach.With the notable increase in production of copra that would equate to an increased waste like coconut shells, it is deemed necessary to create ways and think of other products that the organization can produce to increase profit out of this waste material. Thus, the association’s project proposal focused on the production of coco shell charcoal briquettes. Engr. Armando Allan DM. Bondad, Senior Science Specialist, one of the lead coordinator for the training program, highlighted the significance of the initiative and shared his insights and expertise on the various materials that can be used and maximized for charcoal briquette making, such as coconut shells, pili nut shells, rice hull, and bagasse (the dry pulpy fibrous material that remains after crushing sugarcane or sorghum stalks to extract their juice). He also anchored his discussion on the modern technology and ways of charcoal-making. Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, CatSU President, expressed his gratitude to all organizers and participants. "This initiative not only addresses the growing need for sustainable energy solutions but also creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs. By providing practical training, we're helping our dear kababayans develop skills that can lead to new business ventures and contribute to environmental conservation." He also emphasized the university’s goal, through the Extension Services Unit, is to deliver CatSU’s services to everyone in the entire province. Just recently, September 4, 2024, Dr. Azanza gladly shared on his official facebook page the good news about the fifty-six (56) community organizations that the CatSU flagship program, Padagos na Patanos Movement, is helping, has now started receiving the assistance funds requested from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). (PROCOFAGCO) of the municipality of San Miguel is one of the first ten (10) DOLE-approved community organization that has been given the notice of approval for their start-up fund of 251,000php. As the program progresses, CatSU plans to track the impact on both local economies and environmental health. Success stories from participants will be highlighted in future updates, showcasing the benefits of sustainable energy practices and community-driven innovation. For more information on the charcoal briquette making training program, interested parties can contact CatSU Extension Services Unit through its official Facebook Page: Catanduanes State University Extension Services
