The Department of Science and Technology – IX (DOST-IX) has funded 13 pro-poor and community-based projects in Zamboanga del Norte for assistance amounting to P10,785,131.65. These projects were funded through the agency’s local Grant-in-aid (GIA) assistance in 2021.
The projects provide support to community-based livelihood enterprises; support to industries; and community empowerment initiatives targeting low-income communities.
According to Mr. Nuhman M. Aljani, Provincial S&T Director of DOST in Zamboanga del Norte, GIA program interventions include equipment and technology acquisition to upgrade community-based enterprises; supplemental feeding program to address malnutrition; provide digital library to improve literacy and access to S&T information; conduct of technology trainings; and access to laboratory services; among others.
Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST)
Among the projects approved in 2021 are two CEST projects – one in Pres. MA Roxas and another in Sibuco. CEST is DOST’s main program assisting low-income communities. CEST provides interventions in five entry points such as economic development, education, health and nutrition, water and sanitation, and disaster risk reduction and mitigation.
The “Community Empowerment of Pres M. A. Roxas through Science and Technology (CEST-Roxas)” in Roxas was granted P783,910,000.00. CEST-Roxas assists the Subanen indigenous people in the area by upgrading their abaca enterprise, provision of stand-alone digital library STARBOOKS to local schools; and supplemental feeding to children using DOST-FNRI-developed nutri products. The project is in collaboration with LGU-Pres MA Roxas and the Roxas Association of Subanen Tribe (RAST).
Another CEST project is the “Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST)” in Sibuco, which has been granted P1,354,985.00. In partnership with LGU – Sibuco, this project will give livelihood assistance in a form of new rice mill equipment for the upland rice farmers and multi-commodity solar tunnel dryer for improved fish drying. Included also are the provision of STARBOOKS digital library and supplemental feeding to children.
CEST to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC)
In support to the whole-of-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict, DOST-IX has approved another CEST project in ELCAC-identified community. The “Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) in Godod, Zamboanga del Norte” was granted P2,076,366.99. This project will provide gravity-type water system, S&T based livelihood assistance, and provision of STARBOOKS. The project site is Sitio Makinaryas in Barangay Bunawan, which is identified ELCAC priority area. The community is home to some 500 Subanen indigenous people.
Big-ticket projects
In 2021, DOST-IX was also able to fund some big-ticket projects in partnership with its reliable development partners. The first one is the “Establishment of Brooding and Hatchery Facilities of Dipolog School of Fisheries,” which was granted P1,860,380.50. This project will focus in producing bangus fry and fingerlings to address the shortage of supply in the province. This will ensure availability of quality milkfish fry and fingerlings for local aquaculture community. At present, local fishpond and fish cage operators have to source the fry from Bohol and General Santos City.
Another big-ticket project approved is the “Facility Upgrading of Phillipine Carabao Center (PCC) Dairy Processing through S&T Interventions”, which was granted P1,400,000.00. The project aims to establish an innovation center for milk products in collaboration with PCC.
Community-based Grants
DOST-IX has also funded other community-based projects through various livelihood and enterprise development interventions. The first is the “Adoption of Multi-Commodity Solar Tunnel Dryer (MCSTD) and Hybrid Salt Making Facility to Support Fish Processing Enterprise of Bayangan Women’s Association” in Labason (P770,266.00); The project will improve the process of fish drying, the main livelihood of the families in the island. It will also expand their enterprise in salt making. Bayangan Island is among the 104 legislated Protected Areas (PA) in the Philippines.
Another innovative project is the “Adoption of Biogas Digesting Technology for Effective Waste-To-Energy Conversion and Renewable Energy Utilization” in Kalawit (P636,684.16). The project will improve the sanitary condition in the community’s piggery farm and provide additional source of energy through the adoption of biogas digesting technology. The project is in partnership with Kapunongan sa Mag-uuma sa Paraiso (KAMAGPA), a farmer’s group in the area.
“Project CARBAW Milk” in Polanco, which was granted P593,000.00, is another project approved in 2021. This project in partnership with LGU-Polanco andPCC will assist the local carabao breeders in the municipality to establish their milk processing facility that is compliant to food safety standards and good manufacturing practices.
Another project is the “Upgrading the Meat Processing Facility of Sinuyak Parishioner’s Credit Cooperative” in Katipunan (P402,019.00). This project enables the group to acquire the new equipment in their meat processing business. The project is in partnership with Jose Rizal Memorial State University – Katipunan Campus.
Support to Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa (BP2) Program
DOST-IX also supported the BP2 community in Kalawit, a pilot site in the region. DOST-IX approved the “Adoption of Tubig Talino Technology for the BP2 Beneficiaries in Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte” with assistance amounting to P532,720.00. In partnership with LGU – Kalawit, the project provides water purification facility and adoption of the DOST-FNRI develop iodine-enriched drinking water.
Other projects
DOST-IX also approved “Assisting Zamboanga del Norte Food Industry through Capacity Building for its Workers” (P120,8000.00); This project capacitated MSMEs belonging to food processing industry in the province through training on food safety and good manufacturing practices. This helps MSMEs comply GMP and food safety standards and requirements.
Finally, Project CHIKA: Communicating High-impact interventions and Key Accomplishments of PSTC-ZDN was granted P254,000.00. This project will strengthen S&T information and dissemination to increase public awareness of technological innovations and interventions of the department.
Over the years, local GIA assistance has helped many groups and communities in the province upgrade their economic enterprise and improve their quality of life. (PSTC-ZDN NMAljani, AEAquino)
(Source: DOST Regional Office No. IX Facebook page)
