SIQUIJOR, Siquijor (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently handed over to the Maite Resources Development Association (MRDA) their certificate of turnover for the upgrading of their baking technology. 

The simple ceremony was witnessed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Based in Brgy. Maite, San Juan, Siquijor, MDRA is one of the recipients of DOST’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) with a funding assistance of P423,480. 

MDRA was formed in 2009 to help manage the 26-acre Maite Marine Sanctuary, home to a diverse marine life such as coral reefs, damselfish, angel fish, octopuses, nudibranchs, various species of crab, and seagrass meadow. 

"Ang DOST project nakadugang nga panginabuhian sa mga myembro sa MRDA. Kami nakagama ug toasted bread with seaweed extracts pinaagi sa maong proyekto. Daghang salamat DOST sa pagsalig ug pagtabang sa among asosasyon,” said MDRA president Evelyn Malicay. 

(The DOST project has augmented the livelihood of MRDA members. We have produced toasted bread with seaweed extracts through the project. Thank you DOST for trusting and helping our association.)

The financial grant from DOST aimed to provide an alternative livelihood to the group by helping them produce top-notch bread and pastries while boosting productivity by integrating advanced technologies. 

It also introduced efficient baking technologies that will improve product quality and ramp up production by as much as 30 percent, eventually boosting MDRA’s revenue. 

DOST gave the certificate of turnover to MDRA during the recently held Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair at the Siquijor State College. 

According to DOST, the grant aims to create a sustainable enterprise that champions responsible business practices, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion. 

It also prioritizes gender-responsive techniques and approaches and fosters inclusive productivity growth.  (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)