NAGA CITY (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) donated P1 Million-worth of community empowerment aid to the residents of Siruma, Camarines Sur at the town's municipal hall on Feb. 17. The amount will be utilized to provide the residents' needs in terms of livelihood, nutrition and disaster response.
LGU SIiruma, through the implementation of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of the DOST, has received three projects.
During the PIA Radio Café program at 105.5 Bicol IDOL FM-Naga on Friday, February 24, Bituin Celevante, Science Research Specialist of DOST Camarines Sur said these projects include the provision of manual charcoal briquetting equipment to the local organization called San Isidro Labrador Organic Farmers.
These farmers, she said, will undergo enhanced trainings, for them to become efficient and knowledgeable of the said livelihood facilities.
Celevante explained that while fishing and tourism jobs are the basic livelihoods in Siruma, the department found a way to utilize abundant coconut trees in the area through charcoal-making and processing which was initiated by the said local farmers’ organization.
Siruma Mayor Karen Polinga expresses her gratefulness to the Department of Science and Technology for establishing Science and Technology initiatives and programs for the progress of her town. Photo courtesy of DOST Camarines Sur
On the other hand, at least five identified barangays in Siruma - Fundado, Matandang Siruma, Boboan, Bagong Sirang and Butawanan also received 100 sawyer bucket water filters to address poor and inaccessibility to safe drinking water.
In response to disaster risk reduction management and health emergency, the local government of Siruma also obtained unsinkable boats.
“At present, Siruma LGU has no floating services of their own despite having high shoreline. So when emergency arises, they still borrow facilities from neighboring towns,” Celevante said.
DOST Camarines Sur and LGU Siruma agreed to pool their efforts and resources to implement the said services.
DOST Camarines Sur Provincial Director Patrimonio Felizmenio said that the CEST Program aims to provide various science and technology interventions to build progress, empowerment and resilience to rural communities in the country. It targets key areas of developments in health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, livelihood/economic enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)
