Research and Extension

Services

Overview
   
OFFICE OF RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT
AND EXTENSION SERVICES
VISION
The ORDE will be the key player in the university’s
effort in promoting and sustaining research and
development, generating innovative technologies
and developing collaboration in these areas with
other agencies.

MISSION
The ORDE will accomplish its mission by working
with the faculty in identifying projects to be
conducted by students under their supervision;
assisting the faculty in the preparation of project
proposals and identifying funding sources and
possible collaborators; and, providing
opportunities for continuing education and
training of its faculty and students.
The ORDE works in close coordination with the other
departments in the university where the laboratory
equipment and research materials are based.
Arrangements can also be made with other
laboratories. At present, FEATIU has memoranda of
agreement with the Metals Industry Research and
Development Center (MIRDC) and the Industrial
Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of the
Department of Science and Technology, as well as
with the Fiber Industry Development Authority (FIDA)
of the Department of Agriculture. FEATIU is a
signatory to the Agreement on Cooperative
Educational Exchange University Belt (U-BELT)
Consortium on Linkages and actively participates in
the U-BELT Consortium Research and Extension
Linkage through ORDE.The ORDE Director is Dr.
Rogelio A. Panlasiqui.

FEATI-LED PASIG RIVER PROJECT

PROPOSAL APPROVED BY DOST
   
The Executive
Committee of the
Department of
Science and
Technology, in its
meeting last
November 26,
chaired by
Secretary Estrella F.
Alabastro approved
the project proposal
“Application of
Sediment Quality
Guidelines in
Assessing Metal
Contamination of
Sediments Along
Pasig River
Tributaries”.  With
FEATI University as
Project Proponent
and Project
Coordinator, the
project will be
implemented by the
University Belt
 Consortium with the
Industrial
Technology
Development
Institute of the
Department of
Science and
Technology as co-
implementing
agency and the
Pasig River
Rehabilitation
Commission as
cooperating agency.
 
PROJECT DETAILS
Introduction
The Pasig River is a vital part of the Metro Manila’s
economic, political, and social legacy.  Its approximate
length of 27 kilometers stretching from Manila Bay up to
the aperture of Laguna Lake encompasses almost the
entire Metropolitan Manila.  The clean up of this river
had always been in the agenda of the national
government and in 1993 the Pasig River Rehabilitation
Commission (PRRC) was become operational.  The
PRRC has been mandated to restore and rehabilitate
the Pasig River System and to improve and monitor its
water quality.  Among the projects initiated and
continuously being implemented by the PRRC are
waste minimization, relocation of squatters, water
quality monitoring, removal of sunken derelicts, and
riverside parks development. The Asian Development
Bank through the Sector Development Program
provided a financial assistance package of US $176
million (http://www.adb.org/) to clean up the highly
polluted river.   The program aims to bring life back to
the river and make it suitable for activities such as
boating by 2014.
Recent studies revealed that the true state of the quality
of water in the river system is best reflected by the
quality of its underlying sediments.   Because sediments
tend to integrate contaminant inputs over time, they
represent potentially significant hazards to the health of
aquatic organisms and to the overall health of the
aquatic ecosystem. Consequently, sediments may also
act as along term sources of pollutants to the aquatic
environment. Therefore, sediment quality guidelines for
the protection of aquatic life are included to assess the
toxicological significance of sediment-associated
chemicals in freshwater, estuarine, and marine
ecosystems. Moreover, heavy metals adsorbed on the
sediments maybe released to the overlying water
column under certain environmental conditions, e.g.,
accidental release of acidic effluents from factories,
which could mobilize heavy metal ions, bioaccumulate
in the aquatic organisms, and enter the food chain. They
can be used to help interpret whether existing or
predicted sediment quality conditions pose a threat to
benthic organisms.
Significance of the Study
Sediments and accumulation of toxic heavy metals in
the sediments are subjects of considerable interest
because of their environmental significance as material
traps. Heavy metals from natural and anthropogenic
sources tend to accumulate and integrate within the
sediments over time.  Thus, chemical analyses of the
sediments can be very useful in determining the history
of accumulation inputs and spatial trends in the degree
of contamination.  The sediment quality guidelines can
provide scientific benchmarks to be used as a basis for
the evaluation, protection and enhancement of water
quality.  This guideline can help in setting targets for
clean-up initiatives within broader management
strategies that will sustain the integrity of the aquatic
ecosystem for the long term. 
The PRRC had documented the various sediment
testing done at Pasig River.  They found out that five (5)
toxic metals namely; cadmium, lead, zinc, copper and
mercury contaminated the Pasig River. Their data
further revealed that the portion between San Juan and
Napindan had the highest metal concentration in
sediments with zinc having the highest concentration
ranging from 25 to 1,2mm mg/kg.  However, as they
concluded in the report (PRRC, 2001), the metal
concentrations derived cannot ascertain the degree of
metal contamination in whole stretch of Pasig River due
to dearth of data from other tributaries and lack of data
environmental guidelines regarding contaminated
sediments. 
To support the government’s clean-up efforts for Pasig
River, all disciplines should be working toward a
common goal, which can be best achieved through
forging alliances among the various stakeholders
located along the Pasig River.  The alliances are
needed to elicit scientifically sound ecological survey,
produce technically-reliable analyses of
pollutants/contaminants and provide effective advocacy
campaigns to back-up the ecological rehabilitation of the
river. 
The University Belt (U-Belt) consortium is a group of
thirteen higher education institutions committed to
cooperate on programs based on the principle of
reciprocity.
The coalition for this river stewardship can be best
exemplified through this project proposal wherein the
university belt consortium would pool their resources in
the application of sediment quality guidelines for
assessing the Pasig River.  This joint undertaking will
spearhead the laying of grounds for the scientific quest
for ecological assessment that has immediate and
upbeat applications. The alliance of academic
institutions through the conduct of this study is the best
means to stimulate symbiotic and cooperative
partnership among them.  This research study also
would put greater emphasis on providing high quality
education that could raise the standards of academic
preparation of young graduates for better competency
complemented with social and ecological ethics.
General Objective
The main objective of the study is to explore the
application of sediment quality guidelines in assessing
the extent of metal contamination of the sediments
along Pasig River and its major tributaries.  The
knowledge on the extent of heavy metal contamination
will provide solid scientific basis for laying down clean
up options or restoration efforts for Pasig River.
Specific Objectives
1. To raise the level of awareness among member-
academic institutions on environmental stewardship
2. To familiarize students with the sampling
techniques and laboratory testing for heavy metals
3. To broaden knowledge of researchers in the
member academic institutions on the application of
sediment quality guidelines
4. To apply the sediment quality guidelines developed
in other countries that could be used in assessing
metal contamination in Pasig River
5. To provide prudent scientific data that could be
used as technical reference in designing and
implementing rehabilitation initiatives for Pasig
 River
 

Theoretical Framework
The exploratory study on the determination of the
concentrations of the heavy metals along the tributaries
of the Pasig River is a major breakthrough in promoting
the active public-private partnership in attaining the
tough undertaking like the proposed clean up of the
Pasig River.    The partnership will become a powerful
driver in accelerating the clean-up goal by sharing
resources and complementing functions.  The
delineation of responsibilities among the public-private
cooperation is outlined below:
 

Agency/Institution Responsibility
   

  U-Belt Consortium Set the overall direction of the

research study
Coordinate with the PRRC in the
determination of the sampling sites
Coordinate with the PRRC and Phil
Coast Guard sampling protocols  
Undertake the collection of sediment
in their respective assigned sites
Perform laboratory analyses on the
sediment samples
Provide qa/qc on the laboratory
 testing of sediment
Conduct statistical analyses
Make available to the PRRC the
result of the study 
Preparation of  technical and financial
reports
ITDI-DOST Provide technology assistance on the
standard methods for the collection
and subsequent testing of sediments
Coordinate the acquisition of
sediment quality guidelines from
National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Evaluate the sediment quality based
on the results of heavy metal
analyses as per NOAA guidelines
PRRC Make available to U Belt the results
of the analyses of heavy metals
previously conducted on some
selected sites along Pasig River
Assist the U Belt Consortium in the
selection of sampling sites
Assist in the laying out logistics for
the sampling of sediments in the
selected sites
Establish the integration of the results
of the study into the development of
DENR guidelines. 
 
  Methodology  
Selection of Site and Sampling Procedure
The sampling locations for the collection of sediments
were identified jointly by the U-Belt Consortium in
close coordination with the Environment Unit of the
PRRC.  Initially, there are thirteen (13) sites which are
considered tributaries or “esteros” targeted for the
study, purposely one sampling site will be assigned for
each university.  The assignment of estero will be
based on the proximity of the said university to that
particularly “estero” or tributary of Pasig River. 
The surface sediment samples (0-7 cm) will be
collected with the use of Ekmann Grab Sampler.  The
sampler will be lowered at the middle portion of the
river; the messenger will be released to close the
mouth of the sampler.  At each site, five sub-samples
will be taken scooped manually using a wide-mouth
plastic container. The scooped sediment will be
examined to determine if the sediment was intact.  If
the use of Ekmann Grab Sampler is inappropriate due
to remoteness of the sampling site or lack of access at
the mid channel of the waterways and presence of
barriers/floating debris that could impede the
efficiency of collection, the assistance of Philippine
Coast Guard will be requested.  
Sample Preparation:
The first batch of the sediment sample will be dried
overnight in an oven at 105-110 degrees centigrade
while the second batch of the sediment sample will be
air-dried for two weeks.  Both samples will be ground
by mortar pestle and stored in amber-colored bottles.
Nitric Acid Digestion
The ground sediment samples, from oven-dried and
air dried samples,   (0.5g) will be digested in 10 ml
nitric following the standard method. After digestion,
the sample is filtered and diluted with deionized water
to 50 ml.  There should be three replicates for each
ground sediment.  
Metal Determination
Seven (7) heavy metals, cadmium (Cd), chromium
(Cr), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and
mercury (Hg), which were previously identified by the
PRRC in their monitoring will be likewise analyzed by
Atomic Absorption Spectrometry or Inductively
Coupled Plasma.  The determination of the heavy
metals will be done in the university members of the
Consortium that have the necessary testing facilities. 
The testing of heavy metals of the digested sediment
samples will also be done at the DENR-accredited
laboratory should the testing laboratories in the
universities are insufficient.
Data Analysis
The scatter plot with linear regression method for fit
will be used to determine outlying values from the
data.
Comparison of Metal Ion Concentration with Sediment
Quality Guidelines
The individual metal ion concentrations will be
compared with the Sediment Quality Guidelines
developed by the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  The comparison
will be helpful in identifying metals and sites of primary
concern for rehabilitating the Pasig River. Numerical
sediment quality assessment guidelines maybe used
to identify and designate sediments that have high,
moderate and low probabilities of being associated
with adverse effects on aquatic organisms.  It maybe
used to identify priority contaminants within an area of
concern.  It can also be used to identify the need for
site-specific investigations and can elucidate
subsequent scientific quests to support regulatory
decisions, including source control and other remedial
interventions.

GHANT CHART OF MONTHLY ACTIVITIES

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED

           Sampling containers – 500 pcs.
            Sampling bags, masking tapes, markers
            Hand Gloves
            Nitric Acid (AR)
            Laboratory Glasswares (round bottom flasks,
Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers)
            Hot plate
            Drying oven
            Mortar and pestle
            Flame Atomic Spectrometer
            Cold-Vapor AAS
An important consideration in the evaluation of the
quality of the available sediment chemistry data is the
quality assurance/quality control measures that were
implemented during collection, transport, and analysis
of sediment samples.  Standard methodologies have
established to provide guidance on the field aspects of
sediment sampling technique –ASTM 1990, USEPA
1991.  Since the chemistry of bed sediments may vary
spatially data or observations from the sampling
stations are included to provide a representative
picture of sediment quality conditions in the area. 

U- Belt Consortium 
The U-Belt Consortium, through  

the leadership of its presiding

officer, Dir. Cynthia Luz P. Rivera
(UST), released its first issue of
the Research Journal last May
2007. Entitled “Evolving Manila
and Its Historical Thoroughfares”,
and as the editors described it,
this journal “embarks on a
sentimental journey focused on
Manila as it evolves in history”.
FEATI University took part in this
very significant milestone in the
Consortium's initial years.
 Architect Ma. Joycelyn Bolhayon
Mananghaya, Dean of the College
of Architecture, contributed her
research entitled “Urban
Rehabilitation and Renewal of
Carlos
Palanca: An Oral and Archival
History”. This 18-page research
paper presents vivid details
focused on the development of the
area from the time it became part
of the business district of Santa
Cruz and Quiapo in the 1800's up
to the present. Other pioneer
contributors came from the
following U-Belt Consortium  
member universities: Far Eastern
University, Adamson University
and the University of Santo Tomas.
Also included in this issue are
Book Reviews, Memorandum of
Agreement 2006 in which FEATI
President, Dr.-Ing. Adolfo Jesus R.
Gopez was one of the signatories,
and the Annual Report 2005 –
2006
ORDE Director Elected Presiding Officer of
the U-Belt Consortium
The U-Belt Consortium Research and Linkage
Meeting elected ORDE Director, Dr. Rogelio A.
Panlasigui as the new Presiding Officer of the U-Belt
Consortium to succeed Dir. Cynthia Luz P. Rivera.

Mapua Institute of Technology: U-Belt

Consortium's Newest Member
With the recent membership of Mapua Institute of
Technology, the U-Belt Consortium now has thirteen
(13) members. They are as follows:
Adamson Manuel L. Quezon
University            University
Mapua Institute of
Arellano University
Technology
Centro Escolar National
University University
University of the
Far Eastern University
East
University of
FEATI University     
Manila
University of Sto.
Jose Rizal University
Tomas
Lyceum of the
 
Philippines University
Archive

Architecture Dean Returns from UNESCO

Tranning
U-Belt Consortium Proposal on Pasig Sediment
Analysis
“HEY FEATI WHAT’S OUR NEXT TEST POINT?"
FEATI Alumnus Castro Here as Balik Scientist