SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continues to provide economic assistance to various communities in La Union through the Community Empowerment through Science Technology (CEST) program.
The CEST program aims to build progressive, empowered, and resilient rural communities.
DOST-La Union provincial director Jonathan Viernes said, “Programa ito ng gobyerno partikular ‘yong DOST para matugunan, matulungan at mabigyan natin ng science, technology, and innovation interventions ang mga kababayan natin na nasa marginal areas o mga liblib na lugar, pwede naman iyong association na talagang nangangailangan ng tulong.”
In his message over Tugstugan at Balitaan, DOST provincial director Jonathan Viernes said some of the CEST program includes livelihood of economic enterprise and development, health and nutrition, human resources development, environmental protection and conservation, disaster risk reduction resiliency, climate change resiliency, small enterprise technology upgrading program and technical assistance consultant services.
"Nauna ‘yong municipality ng Bagulin involving three barangays; the municipality of Santol na meron ding tatlo; and ‘yong municipality of Burgos in 2022. May bagong dalawa, ‘yong municipality of Aringay involving two communities and ‘yong municipality of Sto. Tomas na merong isang barangay na involved dito sa programang CEST," said Viernes during the Tugstugan at Balitaan program of PIA La Union.
Meanwhile, the DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) provides training on how to do the right manufacturing process to raise and increase production.
Viernes said, “Matutulungan ng SETUP ang iba't ibang sector gaya ng food processing, furniture, gifts decors and handicrafts, agriculture, marine, aquaculture, forestry, metals and engineering, information communication technology, health and wellness products and among others."
As part of the SETUP, technical assistance is provided in various programs to reduce electricity consumption.
Food safety assessments are extended for the food sectors to meet the implementation of the Food Safety Law of 2013.
Cleaner production is also given to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) to improve their productivity. (JCR/AMB/KJCR/HSS, PIA La Union)
