DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is bringing innovation and progress to Pangasinan through its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.
The program has been extended to 25 barangays across several municipalities in the province.
CEST, a flagship DOST program, equips communities with science and technology solutions to achieve sustainable development.
Packaged science and technology interventions are focused on five entry points:
•health and nutrition
•water and sanitation
• basic education and literacy
• economic enterprise and development, and
• disaster risk reduction/climate change mitigation.
"We've successfully implemented CEST in Pangasinan municipalities like Agno, Aguilar, Bautista, Mapandan, Umingan, Bolinao, and Dagupan City," Geamboy Morata, project technical assistant of DOST, told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
The program targets the province's poorest barangays, identified based on poverty incidence rates.
Local government officials then select two to three barangays that will receive the assistance.
According to Brenn Justin Guevarra, project technical aide of DOST, the program is expanding to barangays Awai and Labney in San Jacinto and barangays Angatel and Gueteb Urbiztondo this year.
Community assessments were conducted last month to identify specific needs. These assessments will guide the development of customized interventions.
For instance, CEST provided training and equipment amounting to P148,000 for squash noodle production to 24 women in Barangay San Juan, Umingan's Ani-Ani Dis-suor and Riverside Irrigators Association.
Guevarra emphasized DOST's commitment to empowering marginalized communities.
"By equipping residents with skills and resources, we enable economic opportunities and improve access to nutritious food," he said.
The program fosters collaboration between government agencies and local communities.
"Through technology training, DOST paves the way for sustainable development and community empowerment," Guevarra concluded.
Gerry Tulingan, president of the Ani-Ani Dis-suor and Riverside Irrigators Association, expressed his appreciation for DOST's support, particularly for the women who gained new skills in squash noodle production. (JCR/AMB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
