LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Grants-In-Aid (GIA) program, has funded around P27.58 million worth of projects that aim to contribute to community development, and economic growth in various parts of the Cordillera region through science and technology (S&T). 

DOST regional director Nancy Bantog reported this in a recent forum where she also revealed that a total of 56 community development  projects were implemented in the region in 2023. 

Bantog said 42 were community-based projects (CBP), 14  under the Community Enhancement Program through S&T (CEST), and two under the Smart and Sustainable Community Program or SSCP.

For the CBP, 22 of the implemented projects are under the food processing sector, four on metals and engineering, four on education, four on information and, communications technology, two on health and nutrition and two more projects under the other sectors category.

For the CEST program that aims to provide livelihood and alleviate poverty in remote communities, implemented projects covered livelihood/economic enterprise development, human resource development, health and nutrition, environmental protection, and disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, Bantog said.  

The SSCP is a new priority thrust of the DOST aligned with the socio-economic agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. which was launched last November. This is focused on food and water security, health, energy, transportation system, digital transformation, S&T education, employment opportunity, environment protection, and climate and disaster resilience.  

Bantog shared that the DOST-CAR has already signed a memorandum of understanding with the regional offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Information and Communication Technology,  and the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the implementations of SSCP programs in the identified pilot areas in the region.

The roles of each partner agency are already identified, while the action and implementation plans are based on the priorities of the identified LGUs, Bantog said. (CCD-PIA CAR)