Tabuk City, Kalinga – Anchored on the cause for inclusive and holistic countryside development through Science, Technology and Innovation (STI), the Department of Science and Technology – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOST-CAR) conducted the first leg of the Science for the People (SFTP) caravan in CAR for the year.
The Kalinga Provincial S&T Center (PSTC), headed by PST Director Jasmin Donaal, organized the month-long hybrid information campaign (March 2021) consisting of a series of promotional events and dialogues on existing programs, projects and activities (PPAs) designed to bring STI closer to the community and various sectors at large, and accessible even to the remotest towns in the province of Kalinga. Besides targeting the grassroots, the Caravan also centered on women for the technology transfer activities, in sync with the celebration of women’s month.
Workshop on Basic GIS for Mapping and Risk Assessment
As Vice-Chair for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation in CAR, DOST-CAR has partnered with the local scientific community to implement trainings and programs on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) for a more proactive and resilient region.
On March 22-24, 2021, an onsite cum virtual Training-Workshop on Basic Geographic Information System (GIS) for Mapping and Risk Assessment was held with the help of Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD)-CAR, DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI), DOST- Cordillera Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Consortium (CIEERDEC), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-CAR) and Provincial Local Government Unit (LGU) of Kalinga.
A score of frontline disaster personnel from the public and private sectors across the province explored the use of GIS through a series of discussions and hands-on activities on basic GIS features as a vital science-based tool for DRRM.
Among the participants were staff and officers from the Local Government Units of the provincial, municipal and barangay level, local DRRM councils, Department of the Interior and Local Government-Kalinga, Bureau of Fire Protection Kalinga State University (KSU) and Red Cross-Kalinga Chapter.
DOST-CAR notes that virtual simulation of different disaster scenarios such as floods or landslides through spatial location analysis and visualizations (i.e. maps and 3D scenes) may prove critical in crafting sound plans and policies to address threats and respond to situations accordingly in real time.
Support to Establishment of Analytical Laboratory
As part of the collaborative plan to establish an Analytical Laboratory in the province, DOST-CAR turned over equipment for analysis (oven and circulating water bath) to KSU – Central Science Laboratory on March 24, 2021.
Currently, the facility is being used for the local production of ethyl alcohol. The equipment will aid in the preparation of samples for analysis and thus hasten the timely distribution of the disinfectant to public offices, business establishments and schools across the province especially during the pandemic.
Empowerment of Cordilleran weavers
In a separate event in Baguio City, DOST-CAR Regional Director Nancy Bantog convened members of the Regional Research, Development and Innovation Committee (RRDIC) to discuss plans on forming the Cordillera Weaving Industry Council on March 24, 2021.
As chairperson of the RRDIC, DOST-CAR, together with line agencies, has recently crafted the Cordillera Weaving Industry Development Plan (CWIDP) 2020-2028 that aims to empower artisans and weavers, especially women in the local weaving industry, through capacity-building activities and provision of equipment to improve livelihood and marketing opportunities for local businesses.
As of 2020, there were a total of 24 projects under the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP) and community-based projects in the natural dyeing and weaving sector in the region.
To help meet market demand, DOST-CAR has established silkworm rearing and cocoon processing facilities in the KSU for enhanced silk production since 2017, with the aid of the Philippine Textile Research Institute and the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority. Mulberry fields were also prepared in the KSU as well as the Apayao State College.
Farm and firm visits for technology needs assessment
Staff from the Kalinga PSTC, together with a team of experts from the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center, particularly of the Advanced Mechatronics, Robotics, and Industrial Automation Laboratory (AMERIAL) project and the KSU Local AMERIAL team, visited 41 (forty-one) farms and firms in Tabuk City and the town of Rizal for technology needs assessment.
The 10-day activity (March 15-26, 2021) included technical assistance for existing SETUP beneficiaries and potential startups using technology upgrades which they may adopt to enhance competitiveness and productivity.
Skills Training on Food Processing
Hands-on skills training for different farming communities were done to help improve the efficiency of local producers. DOST-CAR, together with the KSU and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Kalinga, conducted discussions on best practices and demonstrations on the use of appropriate technologies for community-based projects.
In the village of Malagnat in Pinukpuk, Kalinga, women from the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI)- Malagnat gathered to master the methods involved in making quality vinegar from banana on March 8 and March 26, 2021.
Meanwhile, planters from Ambato in the town of Tinglayan, Kalinga learned new ways on how to handle sugarcane to produce superior classes of wine through a training in partnership with Tinglayan LGU on March 12, 2021.
Info drives on CEST projects and other programs
The S&T team conducted a validation activity with the Municipal LGU of Pasil for the RxBox as well as the monitoring and maintenance of Science & Technology Academic Research-Based and Openly-Operated Kiosk Stations (STARBOOKS) units as part of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) projects in the municipalities of Pasil and Balbalan on March 9-11, 2021.
In line with this, DOST-CAR Inter-agency Design and Engineering Assessment (IDEA) Team Leader Engr. Angel Maguen lead a seminar-workshop on Energy Audit, particularly on energy-saving measures for representatives from the MSMEs in the province, KSU and DTI-Kalinga in Tabuk City.
Forum on R&D Opportunities and Networks
DOST-CAR presented research opportunities and linkages for stakeholders from the academe through its Research and Development arm, the Cordillera Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development Consortium (CIEERDEC) during the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Caravan held onsite in Tabuk City on March 25, 2021.
Researchers and professors from different educational institutions in the province, including KSU, Saint Louis College, Kalinga College of Science and Technology and Cordillera A+ Computer Technology College attended the forum on different projects and services available through the consortium, particularly in its priority sectors.
Going beyond implementing STI programs for regional development, DOST-CAR continues to ensure that science works for the people of Cordillera.**Christian Robert M. Sandoval
