DOST Biliran launches community based projects

Two community based projects were launched on April 6 and 7, 2011 in Cabucgayan and Culaba towns of Biliran Province, respectively. These projects center on application of science and technology for improvement of municipal priority products (One Municipality One Product) by providing technology training, consultancy services, packaging and labeling, and establishment of common service facility. These would redound to creation of new business opportunities that would in turn result to employment generation and creation of alternative source of income for the community.

LGU-Cabucgayan received support for the Community Project for Process and product improvement of coconut wine (bahalina) which will benefit the "tuba" gatherers, the coconut farmers, and the wine processor who are members of the Cabucgayan Corn Farmers Association. The project aims to elevate the lowly bahalina into a better packaged wine at par with imported wine products. Meanwhile, LGU Culaba, with the Culaba Papaya Producers Association received support for Establishment of Common Service Facility for Processing of Papaya. The main product, papaya pickles will be improved in terms of quality and packaging with this project.

Ms. Mae Anne D. Reyes, Supervising Science Research Specialist and Executive Director of the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Unit of the Department of Science and Technology VIII, represented Engr. Edgardo M. Esperancilla, DOST-8 Regional Director in spearheading the ceremonial turn-over of the financial assistance to the recipient LGUs and their intended beneficiaries. With the DOST group are Provincial Director of Biliran, Mr. Romeo L. Dignos,  the DOST VIII GIA-Coordinator, Ms. Lucia P. Dauz,  DOST Biliran staff Engr. Ma. Catherine Gonda, SRSII and Mr. Teddy Abenido, SRA, and Mr. Dominic Abiabi of DOST-8.

Mayor Gemma G. Adobo of Cabucgayan and Mayor Enrico V. Uyvico of Culaba, also led the recipients who accepted the ceremonial check during the separate occasions that were held in the SB Hall of Culaba and in the Municipal Terminal of Cabucgayan. The Mayors stressed their gratefulness to the DOST Regional Office VIII, and expressed their commitments to push for the realization of the project objectives. LGU Cabucagayan received PhP176,000 in GIA assistance while LGU-Culaba received PhP214,000. The assistance covers the purchase of equipment and tools and label design development and execution for the target products.