Read this in The Manila Times digital edition.

With Atty Saidamen Guino Dimaporo in Ubay Bohol Rice Seed Storage Construction and the Dazzling Lite Enterprises GM Jenelyn Yuson and the men and women of Dazzling Lite Enterprises Bagong Bodega para sa Magsasaka in Ubay Bohol. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

MONOLITHIC (from the Greek words mono and lithic, which means "one stone") Domes are constructed following a method that requires a tough, inflatable airform, steel-reinforced concrete and a polyurethane foam insulation. Each of these ingredients is used in a technologically specific way.

These domes can be designed to fit any architectural need: cold storages, homes, cabins, churches, schools, hospitals and clinics, gymnasiums, arenas and stadiums, bulk storages, evacuation centers, command centers, missile storages, hangars for military, data storages, warehouses, high-value equipment facilities, landlord dwellings and various other privately or publicly owned facilities.

Monolithic Domes meet the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards for providing near-absolute protection and have a proven ability to survive tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, most man-made disasters, fire, termites and rot.

They are cost-efficient, earth-friendly, extremely durable and easily maintained. Most importantly, a Monolithic Dome uses about 50 percent less energy for heating and cooling than a same-size, conventionally constructed building.

Beginning in 1970, Monolithic Domes have been built and are in use in virtually every American state and in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Monolithic Domes are neither restricted by climate nor by site location. In terms of energy consumption, durability, disaster resistance and maintenance, Monolithic Domes perform well in any climate, even extremely hot or cold ones. And they can be constructed on virtually any site: in the mountains, on beaches, even underground or underwater.

Very energy efficient, the spherical sections of the dome offer minimal surface area for the volume they contain, so there is less surface for heat transfer with the outside air.

The one piece construction of the monolithic dome also eliminates many of the seams through which air can leak, though this is mitigated to some degree in residential domes by the addition of multiple doors and windows.

By placing the insulating foam on the outside of the concrete shell, the concrete acts as a thermal mass inside the building, reducing interior temperature fluctuations far more than the traditional structure's insulation inside of a brick or stone veneer.

Working along 17th President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s (PBBM) pronouncement that he wants to bring down the price of rice to P20 per kilo, Monolithic Dome builder in the Philippines, Dazzling Lite Enterprises (DLE) General Manager Jenelyn Yuson said she is confident that this target can be met not too long from now.

"When the seeds that farmers plant are 85 to 100 percent fertile, compared to the current 45 to 50 percent, the harvest yield could be twice or even thrice which could bring the price of rice to what BBM wants it to be. How is this possible? We have our rice seed storage facility in Bohol whose stock is ready for distribution to farmers nationwide," Yuson ecstatically shared.

She added that they are committed to an uncompromising stand to deliver high quality projects and efficient services that ensure achieving reasonable return on investment.

As already defined in the first part of this series, DLE envisions itself to be the leader in the Disaster Proof Building Construction through the maximum utilization of Monolithic Dome technology in the food security warehouse structures, disaster-resistant housing, energy-efficient facilities and other near-absolute safe buildings.

It is committed to be a frontliner in disaster-proof warehousing, housing and building facilities, and to be recognized nationwide and globally; to be the employer of choice by people who seek career growth and great challenges; to be recognized as the fundamental company that consistently complies with the highest industrial hygiene standards and to be socially responsible organization to the communities and environment.

DLE aims to be the leader in Disaster-Proof Cold Chain through the establishment of strategic disaster-resistant cold chain facilities nationwide, and as a backbone of the seamless food security lane up to the last mile.

The 453-square-meter Monolithic Dome Rice Seed Storage facility in Ubay Stockfarm, Lomangog, Ubay, Bohol is designed and built by DLE for the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 7.

Back to Basics Movement (BBM) – solution to looming food crisis

Monolithic Domes can be designed to fit any architectural need such as cold storage and high-value equipment facilities, warehouses, homes, churches, schools, evacuation centers, hospitals and multi-purpose spaces. Even before his inauguration on June 30 as successor to President Rodrigo Duterte, PBBM noted the importance of food in Philippine economy and security that he is taking the Department of Agriculture portfolio himself.

"We're going back to basics and trying and we will rebuild the value chain of agriculture. And that is why I thought it's important that the President take that portfolio," he said.

DLE has come up with a solution to the looming food crisis.

First, increase the germination efficacy of the rice seed in its program, "Masaganang Palay, Masaganang Buhay" with the cold chain management system.

Second, build typhoon-resistant warehouse to ensure safety of harvest in "Bagong Bodega sa Magsasaka" and build strategic food terminal.

Third, a cold chain super highway along the value chain via "Sapat na Pagkain at Tamang Presyo" reviving the Kadiwa concept of then President Ferdinand E. Marcos reaching population up to the last mile.

In all these, what is needed is a disaster-resistant, disaster-proof Monolithic Dome warehouses and storage facilities designed to last twice the strength of Typhoon Odette.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Atmospheric Science professor Kerry Emmanuel said that climate change contributes to major storms such as Rai or Goni, which hit the Philippines in 2021 because air and ocean temperatures are constantly rising.

"What is interesting is we are shattering all kinds of records in general in the last decade," he told the monthly American technology, science and culture magazine Wired, which noted that if something serious is not done to halt global warming within the foreseeable future, "we we can expect to see many more of these massive, fatal storms within our lifetime."

Thus, securing food and seeds for humanity is the solution – along with sturdy, climate-proof structures such as the Monolithic Dome.

Visit www.dazzlingliteenterprises.com and Philippine Monolithic Dome on Facebook or email [email protected] or call mobile numbers +639302342713 and 09291809638 or (02)8478-8702 via landline for inquiries or more information.

(Next in the series: Dazzling Lite Enterprises projects across the Philippines)