The municipality of Pasil in Kalinga has been adjudged as the regional best community for the Community Enhancement through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the Department of Science and Technology.
The Pasil CEST and other regional winners were recognized during the virtual recognition of STI Champions in the Cordillera during the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) recently.
DOST-Kalinga earlier awarded Pasil a plaque of recognition and a check amounting P200,000.
Delia Wail of the Pasil Multipurpose Cooperative (Pampco) said with the assistance from DOST, they ventured in the production heirloom rice and its byproducts. Now, their products are labeled and packaged for local export.
Municipal Nutrition Action Officer Marjorie Silawon said Pampco’s heirloom products are distributed to malnourished children as food supplement during feeding programs.
Validating CEST’s impact to beneficiary-communities, there is a noted decrease in the number of wasted and severely wasted children in Pasil.
The Kalinga Provincial Science and Technology Center is also the regional winner as best CEST implementer.
The Tabuk Concrete Products at Appas, Tabuk City was also awarded as the Provincial Best Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (Setup) Adoptor in Kalinga and received P10,000 and a plaque of recognition.
Owned and managed by Carlo Brian Gamon, the enterprise availed of DOST’s assistance under SETUP in 2012.
Seeing the booming infrastructure development in Tabuk City, Gamon, a licensed physical therapist turned businessman, ventured in hollow block making. With DOST’s continuing assistance, he employed workers, procured additional equipment and machines, and expanded his business by producing other concrete products.
He is now one of the major suppliers of concrete products in the city.
Gamon donated to the religious sector and to the Brigada Eskwela to share his blessings as he thanked the DOST for the assistance it is providing to micro, small, and medium enterprises. –Peter A. Balocnit
