KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Soccsksargen continues to empower marginalized communities in the region through its flagship program Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST).
During the recent Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, DOST Regional Director Sammy P. Malawan highlighted their initiative to enhance the lives of communities in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), conflict-affected zones, and among indigenous populations by leveraging science and technology-based solutions.
“Sa pamamagitan ng sensiya at teknolohiya, inilalapit ng CEST nag iba’t ibang interbensyon upan mapabuti ang kalidad ng buhay ng kapwa nating Pilipino. Mula 2021 hanggang 2024, umabot na po tayo sa 131 underprivileged communities ang natulungan ng DOST 12 SA ilalim ng CEST,” Malawan emphasized.
(Through science and technology, CEST brings a variety of interventions closer to enhancing the quality of life for our fellow Filipinos. We reached 131 impoverished communities between 2021 and 2024, with help from DOST Region 12 under CEST.)
The CEST program focuses on addressing livelihood development, health and nutrition, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and education.
CEST prioritizes malnourished children by providing nutritional products and implementing innovative food processing technologies to address malnutrition.
For disaster risk reduction, the DOST strives to enhance community safety by implementing early warning systems.
As of 2023, the DOST reportedly operates 49 automated rain gauges, 18 water-level monitoring stations, and 30 flood early warning stations throughout the region.
The program also promotes sustainable waste management practices and eco-friendly production techniques for environmental protection and conservation.
Moreover, the CEST promotes education and human resource development through various STEM education programs, scholarships, and capacity-building initiatives, nurturing students while enhancing community knowledge bases.
“Sa education and human resources, patuloy nating pinapalakas ang scholarships at ang inisyatibo ng pamamahagi natin ng STARBOOKS o Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks Ito po ay library in a box, as of 2023 meron na po tayong 613 STARBOOKS unit ang nainstall sa buong Region 12,” Malawan said.
(In education and human resources, we are continuously enhancing scholarships and our initiative to distribute STARBOOKS, which stands for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks. As of 2023, we have installed 613 STARBOOKS units throughout Region 12.)
The program also drives technology-driven enterprise development and offers skills training along with equipment support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME).
“For calendar year 2024, matagumpay pong ipinatupad ng DOST 12 ang CEST assistance na may kabuuang halaga po na 20.3 million sa 28 communities sa buong rehiyon,” the official said.
(For the calendar year 2024, DOST Region 12 successfully implemented CEST assistance valued at P20.3 million across 28 communities in the region.)
For these initiatives, Malawan noted that the DOST in the region received the 2024 National Best CEST Award, together with the local government of M’lang, Cotabato. This recognition has had a positive impact on organizations such as the PWD (Persons with Disabilities) Association of M’lang and the New Rizal Social Action Farmers Association.
Malawan then reiterated DOST’s commitment to enhancing the CEST program, aiming to provide science-based solutions and promote sustainable development in the region. (SZT, PIA Region 12)
