The Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan (Lingap) has been actively providing relief operations in various localities around the country for those affected by Covid-19.
The program is a component of “Galing- PCAARRD Kontra Covid-19” program of the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) in pursuant to Republic Act 11469, or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
Projects under the DOST-PCAARRD Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) and the Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT) programs of the council are also currently responding to the call for relief assistance for Covid-19 affected people.
Here are some of the recent relief operations.
University provides aid to 6 Laguna towns
The Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) recently held relief operations in six towns of Laguna affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
This was accomplished through the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) program of the DOST-PCAARRD.
Led by LSPU-ATBI project leader Engr. Isabelita T. Domingo, the team provided 50 bags of relief goods to families, frontliners, and a student in lockdown in the towns of Mabitac, Siniloan, Pangil, Sta. Cruz, Lumban and Los Baňos.
The team also supported the farmer-incubatees in the six towns, by providing them with a total of 2,120 mushroom fruiting bags.
According to the LSPU-ATBI’s report, the fruiting bags for the six farmer beneficiaries serve as assistance in starting their mushroom business. It will also serve as an ongoing relief effort of the ATBI to help Covid-19-affected communities.
Based on the partnership guidelines, half of the harvest of the incubatees in the mushroom project will be donated to their identified barangays. This would mean distribution of fresh oyster mushrooms as relief until July 2020.
The LSPU-ATBI team was supported by LSPU’s Vice President for Research Development and Extension, Dr. Corazon N. San Agustin, the AATBI Project Staff, the LSPU relief task force, representatives from two farm partners, and some members of the local government units (LGUs) in the six towns.
The LSPU-ATBI is one of the groups that have been organizing its relief assistance activities to alleviate the situation in nearby communities amidst the Covid-19 crisis.
The ATBIs of the Benguet State University, Central Luzon State University, Sultan Kudarat State University, Capiz State University, and the Central Mindanao University have also organized their relief operations in their own provinces and other localities.
Organic vegetables for Bukidnon frontliners
Organic vegetables produced by the farmers of the Mt. Kitanglad Agri Tourism Farm (MKATF) in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, were distributed recently by the DOST-Region 10 (DOST-10) to about 530 families in Bukidnon.
MKATF is one of the sites of the SciCAT program being funded by the DOST-PCAARRD.
SciCAT is the result of technological convergence to improve the productivity and capacity for sustainable practices of farms while showcasing their beauty and attraction. The farm is being supported through the DOST-10 project led by Virgilio M. Fuertes.
According to DOST-10, vegetables worth P100,000 composed of squash, chayote, sweet pepper, cabbage and potatoes were turned over to the Malaybalay City office and immediately brought to the Malaybalay City Agriculture Office for packing and distribution to frontliners, waste management workers, and other vulnerable communities in the province.
“We should add vegetables to provide healthier food options to the people,” Engr. Naomie de los Reyes of the Malaybalay City Agriculture Office said.
Magsasaka Siyentista and MKATF owner, Benjamin Maputi Sr. said he is positive that there will be sufficient food for Bukidnon if farmers will continue working. He added that this is also an opportune time for people to learn backyard gardening for food security.
The 22-hectare MKATF in Sitio Sinaburan, Imbayao, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon produces abaca, coffee, citronella, fruit trees, chayote, squash, sweet bell pepper, white potato, turmeric, chemical-free cabbage and other vegetables.
MKATF is currently being transformed into a SciCAT farm enterprise that focuses on integrating comprehensive S&T interventions, such as package of technologies, value-adding, consultancy services, and access to market.
Pampanga State U distributes ‘healthier’ food bags
The Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) recently conducted its relief operations in Pampanga.
Led by Walter L. Pacunana, the PSAU IP-TBM team opted for healthier food options using the food-based technologies generated by the university.
At least 100 food bags were repacked and distributed. The food bags were repacked from 500 kg of rice, 125 kg of dried red tilapia and 50 trays of chicken eggs.
They initially provided relief assistance to 45 students of the university who were stranded in their dormitories and apartments due to the enhanced community quarantine.
Help was also extended to the members of nearby communities in Magalang, Pampanga, as well as the PSAU security guards and agricultural workers who stand as the university frontliners since the Covid-19 crisis began.
The relief assistance was also supported by the office of the university president, with the distribution led by PSAU President Dr. Honorio M. Soriano Jr., and the Office of Business Affairs Director Elena Pineda.
According to Pacunana, the team is planning to conduct more relief efforts in the coming weeks to provide more food to families in the province during the Covid-19 crisis.
The IP-TBM program aims to establish and/or enhance the technology transfer and commercialization offices of selected agencies.
At present, there are 51 IP-TBM offices all over the country assisting the researchers and innovators in filing intellectual property protection of their technologies/innovations and facilitating the commercialization of the protected technologies.
S&T Media Services
Image credits: Rashia Mae Deva E. Paano , Engr. Isabelita T. Domingo, Mary Ann L. Barile