Davao ICTSI scholar bags 3rd place in nat’l science competition

Davao ICTSI scholar bags 3rd place in nat’l science competition
By Danny Escabarte
Philippine Information Agency
January 5, 2011

DAVAO CITY, Jan. 5 (PIA) -- Reymond Tayone, senior high school student of Davao City National High School and an ICTSI Scholar, bag the 3rd Place in national science competition during the 6th National Biotechnology Week celebration held recently at the National Office of the Department of Education in Pasig, Metro Manila.

Entitled “Bioethanol Production from Banana Stalk Using Cow’s Rumen Fluid for Cellulose Degradation,” the science investigatory project hurdled through different competitions from different levels before winning third place in the national contest.

“We won first placer in school, division level and regional competitions in Davao Region before we tried our luck to compete in Manila,” Reymond said. “The project’s aim among others is to help find alternative source of fuel that is not destructive to humans and the environment”, Raymond added.

Besides promising usage at home and in the industry, Ethanol has positive contribution to daily life, Raymond also disclosed. Among these were: ethanol is renewable and raw materials abound in the surroundings, it is environment-friendly, it is clean fuel and when mixed with other fossil fuel; can help clean engine that reduces smoke emission among vehicles.

The project can be replicated in a bigger level, Raymond said. “In Davao Region for example, where big banana plantations are found, we can collect all the banana stalks which companies consider as wastes and turn them into ethanol using cow’s rumen fluid in the process”, he said.

Reymond Tayone is one of the 21 scholars in Mindanao being supported by the International Container Terminal Services Incorporated or ICTSI. Aside from Davao City National High School, two other schools were also being assisted namely: Misamis Oriental General Comprehensive High School (MOGCHS) in Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City High School. The educational assistance project for the 21 high school students is being implemented by the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP). (PBSP-MRO/PIA-Caraga)