ILOILO – As one of the identified beneficiaries of the Department of Science and Technology Region 6 (DOST-6) Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, the Municipality of Janiuay received various Science and Technology (S&T) interventions throughout 2021 to 2022.
The DOST-6, in partnership with National Telecommunication Center Region 6 (NTC-6), conducted an orientation on DOST STARBOOKS and Wireless Data Network (WDN) attended by focal persons, partner agencies, Barangay and Municipal Officials of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Janiuay.
Furthermore, DOST-6 and NTC-6 held an Initial Assessment and Testing of the available network signal in Barangay Atimonan which was the program’s prioritized location due to it being the most far-flung.
These developments took place due to the need to improve the internet signal in the area which was considered an urgent necessity in light of the pandemic. Addressing this issue would benefit the teachers and students that have undergone online school, as well as improve communication, particularly during disasters.
As part of the CEST program, various trainings and activities also took place such as Health and Nutrition Pinggang Pinoy and Livelihood, Disaster Risk Reduction and Human Resource Development. Involved personnel stated talking three to four hours to reach Barangay Atimonan to bring training kits materials from seven sitios and trainers demonstrate how to use kits such as BP apparatus and other emergency equipment.
The construction and installation of two municipal towers in Municipal Hall and Sitio Salay took place followed by network configuration and signal receiving from the former tower.
Afterward, construction of Tower 3 in Barangay Atimonan Elementary School took place which made internet signal readily available in the community and made way for the turnover of Wi-Fi and STARBOOKS computers to the school.
The continued efforts of the CEST program since last year is part of their initiative to develop and progress livelihoods of Brgy. Atimonan residents and the Janiuaynon community as a whole. (Renny Rei D. Poblacion, DOST-6/PN)
