DOST projects set for 3 Bontoc ELCAC villages

By Carlito C. Dar

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- The Dept. of Science and Technology Cordillera through its Provincial S&T Center here has partnered with local government and community stakeholders for Community Empowerment through Science and Technology(CEST)   program in three identified End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC ) barangays in this municipality.
    DOST Provincial S&T Center director Alfonso Berto and Mayor Franklin Odsey led other stakeholders in signing memorandum of agreement at municipal hall on May 10 for the project dubbed  “S&T Intervention for CTG–affected areas in Bontoc, Mountain Province” which will  benefit  barangays  Dalican, Guina-ang and Mainit.
    The DOST-CEST project   aims to develop sustainable livelihood bring in human resource development, help  in water and sanitation and enhance  access to S&T information to  three remote  barangay beneficiaries mostly dependent on farming and agri-business and also dependent on wells and springs for their water supply.
    DOST will help establish Muscovado (sugarcane sugar) processing center for Darlic Irrigators Association of Dalican and meat processing venter for Vinnachang Mainit PWD Organization.
    Technical, entrepreneurship, value adding and marketing trainings are also set under the program. 
    To improve access to S&T information for children and youth in the barangays, the project also includes a DOST Starbooks digital library for elementary schools in each of the barangay beneficiaries including training for its operation.
    To help in water and sanitation, DOST ceramic water filters   will be distributed through the Dept, of Social Welfare and Development’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries -52 in Mainit, 43 in Dalican and 65 in Guina-ang.
DOST regional director Nancy Bantog said in a statement. She affirmed their agency’s commitment in joining the other government agencies in espousing ELCAC. -- PIA