UPLB MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

PROTOCOL IN AVAILING BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION SERVICES

DURING THE COMMUNITY QUARANTINE PERIOD

Version 01 | Finalized 29 June 2020

Protocol A. Clients residing within Laguna

1. Strictly prepare the specimens(s) to be identified using the following guidelines available at
https://mnh.uplb.edu.ph/services/scientific/specimen-identification
2. Submit a request online https://form.jotform.com/uplbmnh/identification-service
3. Once your request has been assessed and approved, follow the protocol to arrange a visit to the MNH to avail of
biological specimen identification service at https://mnh.uplb.edu.ph/14-content/news/422-new-mnh-protocol-for-client-
visits
4. Upon approval of your schedule of visit, you will receive a certification from the UPLB MNH to present to the campus
security personnel upon entry to the campus.
5. Package your specimens.
• For wet preserved specimens in alcohol, use only containers with tightly secured lids or cover (leak proof and
airtight containers are preferred) such as vials and jars. Enclose them individually in a resealable plastic bag
with an absorbent material such as cotton or tissue in case of fluid leakage. All bags then shall be properly
packed in a sturdy container to avoid damage or breakage of vials/jars.
• Dry preserved specimens such as skins, pinned insects and herbarium sheets, etc. must be wrapped in
individual paper bundles and stacked properly inside a box. It is also advisable to place the samples in plastic
bags to prevent them from getting wet in case of exposure to liquid. Samples should be properly stored in
boxes or plastic containers with enough filling material (e.g. crumpled newspaper, small pieces of styrofoam,
etc.) to ensure that the specimens do not move inside the container during shipping and handling.
• In case you have both wet and dry preserved specimens to be shipped, prepare them in separate packages. All
containers shall be protected in bubble wrap then packed in a crush-proof, corrugated box with fillers such as
cardboard or foam inside.
• Put “Fragile”, “This Side Up”, “Specimens for Identification” and other relevant labels.
6. When going to the campus, bring the certification, identification cards and other pertinent documents required by the
Inter-agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases.
7. Submit your specimen(s) for identification at the Director’s Office of the UPLB Museum of Natural History.
8. Proceed to Protocol Item # B5.

Protocol B. Clients residing outside Laguna

1. Strictly prepare the specimens(s) to be identified using the following guidelines available at
https://mnh.uplb.edu.ph/services/scientific/specimen-identification
2. Submit a request online https://form.jotform.com/uplbmnh/identification-service
3. Once your request has been assessed and approved, you can pack your specimens using Protocol Item # A5.
4. Send your specimens via any available major courier service to this address:
• Dr. Juan Carlos T. Gonzalez
Director
UPLB Museum of Natural History
CFNR Quadrangle, UP Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031
5. Once the specimen(s) package is received at the Director’s Office, our staff will assign it to the appropriate section:
• Microalgae and marine algae (red, green and some brown algae), bryophytes (mosses), pteridophytes (ferns),
gymnosperms (cone-bearing) and angiosperms (flowering plants)
– Michelle A. San Pascual mdalejado@up.edu.ph
• Forest plants and trees – Ariel R. Larona arlarona@up.edu.ph
• Frogs, lizards and snakes – Camila G. Meneses cgmeneses@up.edu.ph
• Mammals and birds – Edison A. Cosico eacosico@up.edu.ph
• Fish and snails – Julius A. Parcon japarcon@up.edu.ph
• Macrofungi – Jennifer M. Niem jennniem2002@gmail.com
• – Manuel M. Baldovino manuel.baldovino819@gmail.com
• Bacteria, yeasts and molds – Marian P. De Leon mpdeleon1@up.edu.ph
• Insects and spiders – Jeremy Carlo B. Naredo jbnaredo1@up.edu.ph
– David Emmanuel M. General dmgeneral@up.edu.ph
6. The staff listed above will be communicating with you should there be questions, concerns, clarifications or additional
instructions.
7. Due to the ongoing health crisis, there will be several restrictions to working hours, manpower available and access to
facilities. Pre-quarantine, specimen identification takes at least 7 government working days and depending on the taxa
and number of specimens. Under the quarantine period and its variants, specimen identification would take at least 14
government working days.
8. Upon the identification of the specimen(s) and finalization of the MNH Form 4. Report of Identification, the staff-in-
charge will assess the amount to be paid and you will receive a letter of billing through email.
9. Pay the amount requested via bank over-the-counter deposit, online fund transfer, or payment facilities such as GCash
and PayMaya using these details:
• Land Bank of the Philippines UP Los Baños Branch
• Account Name: UPLB Foundation, Inc.
• Account Number: Peso Account # 1892-1003-29
• Address: Victoria M. Ela Avenue, UP Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031
10. Email a copy of any available proof of transaction (verified deposit slip, transaction notification, email notification, etc.) to
our designated Special Collecting Officer at sco.mnh.uplb@up.edu.ph
11. Upon receipt of this proof of transaction, the SCO will request for an Official Receipt from the UPLB Foundation, Inc. on
your behalf.
12. Finally, the SCO shall email you the electronic copy of the MNH Form 4. Report of Identification and Official Receipt
through email within five (5) government working days after receipt of your proof of transaction. Current working days at
UPLB is Mondays through Thursdays, 7AM to 6PM.