DOST Region I kick starts community empowerment program in Adams, Ilocos Norte
In its effort to sustain its initiatives in combating poverty and promoting resiliency among marginalized communities in the Province of Ilocos Norte, the Department of Science and Technology Region I (DOST-I), through the Provincial Science and Technology Center-Ilocos Norte (PSTC-IN), has expanded its implementation of the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program to the Municipality of Adams, Ilocos Norte for 2022.
To kick start the program, the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) activity was launched and conducted on 12 April 2022 at the Municipal Auditorium of Adams. The CNA was spearheaded by DOST-PSTC IN Provincial Director Engr. Benjamin S. Mercado Jr. together with DOST-PSTC staff and DOST-I Regional CEST Coordinator, Decth-1180 Libunao, and staff, in partnership with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), the official academic institution partner of DOST in Ilocos Norte.
Also present during the CNA activity is the DOST-I Regional Director Dr. Armando Q. Ganal, who is committed to strengthening the efforts of the agency to help develop the lives of the marginalized through the five (5) priority sectors of the CEST Program.
A total of 25 key informants participated in the activity that included the leaders of associations and organizations in the barangay, school principals, barangay health workers, and barangay officials, together with Adams Municipal Mayor Rosalia D. Dupagen.
Mayor Dupagen expressed her gratitude to DOST-I for the opportunity given to the municipality and its townspeople. “Dakkel a panagyaman mi iti DOST ta ada iti umay yo ited a tulong a pagsayaatan iti umili iti Adams,” Mayor Dupagen said.
Wilfremi B. Llama, National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) representative, also gave her full support and commitment to the implementation of the program in Adams.
Meanwhile, Libunao discussed the importance of the activity as part of the planning and conceptualization of appropriate science and technology interventions. Further, he provided a brief background and overview of the CEST Program. In addition, Dr.
Marilou P. Lucas, with the core group members from the university, showed their utmost support by joining in the assessment and site visit in the town.
As a result, the CNA was able to determine that there are insufficient IT and laboratory facilities, insufficient training on advanced technologies, lack of knowledge in financial management, health concerns, and malnutrition. Furthermore, the CNA showed the need for potable water supply, knowledge on farm planning, and value-adding for fruit crops that are highly abundant in the municipality. Lastly, the activity revealed that there is a relatively high input cost on farming and agricultural produce. DOST Ilocos Norte CEST Coordinator, Jahmai O. Grande, is in consultation with the core groups of MMSU and other stakeholders for the implementation of the project which is expected to start this May 2022. (By Kent J. Ramil, DOST-I)
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