THE Department of Science and Technology Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (DOST CEST) Program extended assistance to three indigenous cultural communities in Tubungan, Iloilo with an aim improve their overall economic conditions through science and technology.
Tubungan, a fourth class municipality in the southern part of Iloilo, is among the poorest municipalities with poverty incidence reported at 25.39 percent. Indigent farmers and families here have limited access to transportation, basic educational needs, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. The communities within the municipality are also vulnerable to recruitment of communist terrorist groups or CTGs.
With this, DOST VI, Tubungan local government unit (LGU) and the Iloilo Provincial Government â Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion (IPG-LEDIP) work together to provide much needed assistance to three target barangays, namely, Igpaho, Igtuble and Victoria, which are to be implemented through the DOST CEST project entitled, âEmpowering Indigenous Cultural Communities in Tubungan , Iloiloâ.
Among the assistance identified are to establish a fiber processing facility for abaca and pineapple, enhance the technical know-how of upland farmers particularly in abaca fiber processing and handicraft making, increase awareness on proper nutrition, improve basic education by installing local technologies, and strengthen community preparedness and response and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) by conducting DRRM-related seminars.
The project was officially launched at Barangay Igtuble Integrated School. The launching activity was hosted by the municipality of Tubungan in coordination with DOST VI through its Iloilo Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) and IPG-LEDIP.
Present during the activity were Emelyn E. Tano, project leader; Joseph Glenn Tanallon, project assistant; representatives from DOST VI Iloilo PSTO, Ms. Mary Beth D. Grecia and Mr. Tito C. Gambuta; Hon. Jo Ann Germinada, Provincial Board member, 1st Congressional District; Tubunganâs Mayor Roquito G. Tacsagon; Luna M. Bela-ong from IPG-LEDIP; Mr. Juan G. Gepullano from Department of Education- Tubungan; For. Francisco Gallego, Jr. from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office-Tubungan; Ms. Liezel Arabe from the Municipal Environmental and Natural Resources Office; Dir. Ana N. Burgos, regional director of National Commission on Indigenous Peoples VI and VII; Dr. Jesus C. Insilada, focal person of Division Indigenous Peoples Education; representatives from Department of Trade and Industry, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Field Office VI, Department of Interior and Local Government-Iloilo, and Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority Region VI; municipal officials and department heads; Igtuble, Igpaho and Victoria school head teachers and barangay officials; and IP elders. (DOST VI-KMU)/PN
