TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera and the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)-Kalinga brought smiles, gifts and treats, and shared the wonders of science and technology to the villagers of Suyang, Amlao, and Balawag on May 23.
Project STAR which stands for Smiles and Treats for All beyond Reach, serves as a platform to give back to the community, as well as a venue to engage the people about the agency’s programs and projects.
“This is our corporate social responsibility where we personally, from our own pocket, show our care] and give to the community,” DOST-Kalinga Head Dexy Catacutan said.
It is a platform to promote the technologies of DOST and an opportunity to assess what we have provided to the community, she added.
Residents enjoyed a demo and introduction to robotics, and participated in a forum about DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute programs and projects.
The DOST also turned over a Starbooks digital library to Suyang Elementary School during the event.
Another highlight was the formalization of DOST’s partnership with the Tabuk City government, and the Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk Social Action Center led by Rev. Fr. Jeorge Manisem for the Green Luzon project, which aims to implement sustainable livelihood and environmental projects in barangays Suyang, Amlao, and Balawag.
The event was also marked with gift distributions and raffle.
A donation of medicines from a group of Kalinga pharmacists was also turned over to barangay officials to beef up supplies of the villages’ health stations.
The outreach was spearheaded by DOST-Cordillera Director Nancy Bantog, DOST-Cordillera Asst. Regional Director Maria Rowena Madarang. – Iryll Gay O. Sicnao
