LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Department of Science and Technology recognized the best adoptors of its Small Enterprise Upgrading Program (Setup) and the Best local government unit partner for the Community Enhancement through Science and Technology (CEST) program in the Cordillera.
The Best Provincial Setup adoptor for Benguet, the JLM Farm in Mankayan headed by Johnny Marcos, emerged as the Best Regional Setup adoptor in the Cordillera.
The JLM Farm, which is into vegetable farming production, was approved for two Setup phases – first in 2015 for a drip irrigation system and in 2018 for the upgrading of the drip irrigation system with an automatic controller – that greatly helped in the farm’s production efficiency.
Other Best Provincial Setup adoptor awardees are the D&C Enterprises of Dario Buenafe for Abra; Rebiajos Food of Remedios Rebiajos for Apayao; Balubal Sash and Furniture of Melvin Balubal for Ifugao; Mt. Zion Bakery of Sally Pepito for Kalinga; and Mountain Welds and Designs Metal Fabworks of Jorge Cabradilla for Mountain Province.
Setup is a banner program of DOST that encourages and assists micro, small, and medium enterprises to adopt technological innovations to improve their products, services and operations, towards improving their productivity and competitiveness.
For the DOST’s CEST, the Best Regional Community program partner/implementer is Tublay, Benguet headed by Mayor Armando Lauro.
The DOST-Cordillera and Tublay LGU CEST partnership beneficiaries include the Association of Persons with Disabilities of Tublay, the Ambassador Solo Parent Organization, and the Togon Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative.
Best CEST community-provincial level awardees are the CEST for communist-affected and geographically isolated and disadvantage areas (GIDAs) for Abra, CEST community in Asipulo for Ifugao, CEST community in Pasil for Kalinga, and the Tublay CEST community for Benguet.
This award recognizes the LGUs as valuable partners in bringing in science and technology interventions as a driver of community development especially those in the vulnerable sector and GIDAs.
DOST-Cordillera executive committee officers, namely Director Nancy Bantog, assistant regional directors Maria Rowena Madarang, Pita Picpican, and Angel Maguen, led the awarding of plaques of recognition and cash prizes to the winners during the Setup and CEST Summit of the National Science and Technology Week 2022 last Sept. 22 at the Benguet State University.
DOST Usec. for Regional Operations Sancho Mabborang congratulated the Setup and CEST regional and provincial awardees and called on the summit participants and stakeholders for a continuing partnership in bringing STI as driver of community progress and inclusive growth.
“In our bid for a successful and sustainable future, I encourage everyone to be persistent in promoting STI in building safer, smart, resilient and sustainable communities. Let us all be encouraged with the success of our MSMEs and CEST communities and strive for economic development through STI,” Mabborang said. – Carlito Dar
April 27, 2024
