PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) -- The Western Philippines University (WPU) has committed to strengthening technology transfer to communities and organizing groups to utilize knowledge for livelihood opportunities.

The new university president, Dr. Amabel Liao, said that the 2023–2028 regional development plan showed that the university must work on boosting technology transfer to communities in Palawan.

“Sa university ay marami tayong dini-develop na technologies, researches. Kailangan natin ilabas yung results ng researches at i-extend sa community—this is what we will do na talagang makakatulong sa community,” she said.

[We are developing many technologies and researchers at the university. We need to release the results of the research and extend it to the community—this is what we will do to really help the community.]

Aside from communities guided by the university on the use of technologies innovated by WPU, it also plans to organize groups consisting of unemployed individuals.

Liao learned that communities cannot sustain the use of technology with just technical know-how after a seminar. There must be follow-up support to assist them in starting their own business.

“We will organize these groups sa communities na walang mga trabaho and sources of livelihood into a group that will give them seed capital,” said Liao.

[We will organize these groups in communities that do not have jobs and sources of livelihood into a group that we will give them seed capital.]

The university’s commitment is to work with the communities until they can stand on their own.

Liao appeared in the regular session of Sangguniang Panlalawigan on Tuesday, March 12, and offered WPU's technical expertise in agriculture and forestry to support the progress of Palawan.

“Nakita namin na kulang lang na turuan lang sila, kailangan na turuan mo rin na magamit nila ang knowledge na ‘yon para maitulong nila sa sarili nila at sa komunidad. May hand holding until they become independent and ready for the world and contribute to society,” Liao added.

[We have seen that it is not enough to just teach them, you need to also educate them to use their knowledge to help themselves and their community. There is a hand holding until they become independent and ready for the world and contribute to society.]

WPU is one of the state universities in Palawan, whose banner programs focus on agriculture and forestry. Liao was elected as the fourth university president on February 22. (RG/PIA Mimaropa - Palawan)

BANNER PHOTO COURTESY OF PIO PALAWAN