The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Calabarzon turned over farm tools, equipment and vegetable seeds to the Angono New Normal Farmers Association (ANNFA) last July 20.
The DOST regional office in Calabarzon also reached out to various artist groups in Angono, Rizal to collaborate with them on science and technology (S&T) projects.
The back-to-back activity showcased the “Ceremonial Turnover of Farm Tools, Equipment, and Vegetable Seeds to the Angono New Normal Farmers Association” and the “Fusion of S&T and Arts in Angono.”
The first part of the program was mainly attended by 26 ANNFA members and graced by DOST key officials, namely, Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña; Dr. Juanito Batalon, Director of DOST-PCAARRD-ARMRD; Director Celia Elumba of DOST-PTRI; Director Marieta Bañez Sumagaysay of DOST-NRCP; Director Richard P. Burgos of DOST-STII; Director Lita Suerte-Felipe of DOST-DLLO; and Provincial Director Fernando E. Ablaza of DOST-Rizal.
Batalon discussed the GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19 Program comprising one of its livelihood projects called “Gulayan sa Pamayanan’’ which is aligned with ANNFA’s goal to increase productivity and efficiency in vegetable production.
Under this program, DOST-Rizal led by Ablaza, implemented the DOST-PCAARRD-funded project titled, “Employing Hydroponics and Community Vegetable Gardening Technologies to alleviate COVID-19 Threats to Food Security in Selected Municipalities in Region IV-A.” This aims to promote community vegetable farming and contribute to the national call for initiatives toward food security and pandemic resilience.
Meanwhile, de la Peña also extended his support by hoping for ANNFA’s continuous success in their farming ventures.
Aside from the provision of trainings to further promote sustainable vegetable production and enhance their marketability, DOST-Rizal, in coordination with the local government of Angono, also plans to establish a Weekend Fresh Market for ANNFA’s harvests.
The afternoon session of the program involved a series of museum visits assisted by the local government of Angono led by its Mayor Jeri Mae E. Calderon. De la Peña and guests met with Angono artists in Botong Francisco Ancestral House and Blanco Family Art Museum.
Dubbed as the “Art Capital of the Philippines,” Angono shelters some of the country’s finest arts and artistry. Hence, through a meeting with representatives from the local government unit and various artists groups in Angono, DOST seized the opportunity to discuss points of collaboration for the fusion of S&T and the Arts.
Representatives from the Angono Ateliers Association, Angono Artists Association, Lambana Angono, ANGKLA, Grupo Sabado Agency, and Neo Angono also attended the event.
With this initiative and through the collaboration with other DOST agencies, DOST-Calabarzon hopes to cater the arts sector by developing new S&T projects that will boost their industry in the country.