LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — Far-flung schools in the province of Benguet will soon be using learning resources thru the support of the Department of Science and Technology-Cordillera Regional Office.
The DOST-CAR thru the DOST Benguet Provincial Science and Technology Center signed a memorandum of agreement with the local government units of Mankayan, Kabayan and Bokod thru their respective mayors and school-beneficiaries for the enhancement of STEM or the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics learning through provision of learning resources.
DOST- PSTC Benguet Director Sheila Marie Singa-Claver said the DOST- CAR will fund learning equipment and resources such as microscopes and digital libraries for the different schools in remote areas.
For Mankayan, identified schools are the Camanpaguey Integrated School and Las-igan Elementary School. The schools are located in barangay Cabiten, an identified GIDA or a geographically-isolated and disadvantaged area that could be reached through a four-wheel drive and via hike for about four to five hours.
In Kabayan, the DOST-CAR will fund the provision of learning equipment for the Kamora National High School.
The municipality of Bokod will be a recipient of two projects namely the provision of technology equipment and product development capacity building for the Standardization of Bobod Processing in Barangay Nawal, and the strengthening of the DRRM though the provision of radio communication network equipment and support for technical vocational education in textile sewing of the Ambangeg NHS under the Community Enhancement thru Science and Technology program.
Claver said the projects aim to engage the young learners to science and technology and encourage more young minds to pursue S & T courses in the future.
Meanwhile, the DOST also signed MOAs with the Atok and Sablan LGUs thru Mayors Franklin Smith and Alfredo Dacumos, respectively.
For Atok, the DOST will assist to strengthen Disaster Risk Reduction Management through provision of radio communication network equipment. It will also provide technical assistance for the conduct of laboratory analysis and improvement of packaging and label for the Kimchi product quality enhancement of the Topdac Multipurpose Cooperative.
In Sablan, specifically for the Boyboy Farmers Association in Balluay, a project on product development to be able to product vegetable or fruit enriched baked products will be pursued.
These projects will be co-implemented by DOST-CAR through DOST-Benguet in coordination with the respective LGUs and identified beneficiaries.
During the MOA signing, the DOST-Benguet also presented the scholarship programs of the DOST that the learners may avail as it is one of the target outcomes of these initiatives. **JDP/RMC- PIA CAR