The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology or CEST forged a memorandum of agreement that will empower lives and builds communities in Region 1.
The MOA signing was held in Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University on May 16 in Sipalang, Bacnotan, La Union with the event theme “CEST: Empowering Lives, Building Communities.”
CEST is one of the flagship and gender-responsive programs developed by DOST in support of the government’s national program on poverty alleviation.
It aims to empower the most economically-challenged communities and improve the quality of life through science and technology.
The program, running for several years now, focuses on five priority entry points, according to DOST undersecretary for regional operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang.
These are health and nutrition, water and sanitation, basic education and literacy, economic enterprise and development and disaster risk reduction management and climate change adaptation, to help communities improve the quality of life using science, technology, and innovation.
Mabborang witnessed first-hand what science and technology can do in transforming communities and improving the lives of the people “from providing access to clean and potable water through innovative filtration systems using the salination technologies through promoting sustainable livelihoods whether it be smart farming, agriculture, aquaculture and others.”
He said S&T has a strong potential to address the complex challenges facing communities. Science and technology is one of the major programs of DOST.
Mabborang said DOST has forged strong partnerships with organizations to bring S&T to the grassroots level.
“At DOST, we strongly believe that science and technology are powerful tools that can transform communities and improve the lives of our people. Through the CEST program, we aim to empower communities by providing them with access to science and technology resources, tools and knowledge,”
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum Jr. said in his virtual message during the signing.
A pledge of commitment was likewise signed during the signing ceremony.
“I recognize the importance of investing in research and development to spur innovation and drive progress in various fields, including health, agriculture, energy and information technology,” the pledge stated.
Meanwhile, Article IV of the MOA specifically cites the discontinuance of the DOST-1 assistance.
“DOST-1 reserves the right to discontinue its assistance at anytime for violation of the Program Terms and Conditions as stipulated in this Memorandum of Agreement. DOST-1 shall account for unused funds, supplies and materials and facilities as of date of receipt of a written notification of such discontinuance from the DOST 1 within a period of 60 days.”
Among the DOST 1 Region 1 officials are OIC-Regional Director, Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog; Adelisa C. Florendo, OIC-Asst. Regional Director for Field Operations; Engr. Jordan L. Abad, Provincial S&T Director of PSTO-Ilocos Sur; Engr. Arnold C. Santos, Provincial S&T Director of PSTO-Pangasinan; Engr. Benjamin S. Mercado Jr., Provincial S&T Director of PSTO-Ilocos Norte; Jonathan M. Viernes, Provincial S&T Director of PSTO-La Union; Decth-1180 P. Libunao, Senior Science Research Specialist / CEST Project Leader.
Among the beneficiaries of the CEST Program are the 6 communities of Nueva Era, Ilocos Norte; San Emilio, Ilocos Sur; Aringay, La Union; Sto. Tomas, La Union; Dagupan City and Bolinao, Pangasinan. Together with the expertise of the partner SUCs, NGAs, and identified private agencies, the delivery of extension services will be more effectively handled and with the full support and commitment of the LGUs, the success of the implementation of the program will be achieved with concept of “Empowering lives, Building Communities!”