The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) was lauded by the department‘s top officials during its 11th anniversary celebration on June 22.
Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara lauded DOST-PCAARRD for its contributions in helping Filipinos reduce poverty, fight climate change and enhance competitiveness for national development.
De la Peña recalled the significant response of DOST-PCAARRD to the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic that worked to address the fears, doubts and insecurity prevailing among the public.
It launched the Galing-PCAARRD Kontra Covid-19 Program as part of the response of the national government to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
De la Peña hailed the DOST-PCAARRD for its commitment to provide leadership in quality research and development (R&D).
“The [R&D] consortia in the region played a key role in pushing the development agenda to the various provinces in the country,” he said.
“The collaboration between the DOST and PCAARRD has started sowing the seeds for comprehensive direction in the Philippines as well as in the region,” Guevara said.
Guevara urged DOST-PCAARRD to continue doing innovation and research in achieving a flourishing agriculture, aquatic and natural resources to make the country develop a stable food security program.
“We will need more dedication, teamwork and government support in the coming years,” she said.
De la Peña urged the state colleges and universities (SUCs), private educational institutions, research institutions and local and international partners to ensure that DOST-PCAARRD programs are more relevant and suited to the regional stakeholders
“Through its programs and initiatives, the conservation, sustainability and preservation of the country’s biodiversity has been enhanced toward progress,” de la Peña said during the online celebration.
A total of 64 projects and 12 activities and initiatives from existing DOST-PCAARRD projects had been approved with an estimated total investment of P174 million. It was in collaboration with over 48 partner institutions.
As of March 11, 2021, 50 DOST-PCAARRD projects were implemented across the Philippines: 32 projects in Luzon, 5 in Visayas, and 13 in Mindanao.
By sector, there were 28 projects under crops, eight aquatic, six livestock, five forestry, and three cross-cutting.
DOST-PCAARRD, likewise, honored de la Peña and Guevara for their leadership, dedication and valuable services in uplifting the quality of agriculture, aquatic and natural resources in the country.
Galing-PCAARRD Kontra Covid-19 Program components
n Teknolohiya-Kaalaman para sa Pamayanan: This focused on the dissemination and circulation of different information, education and communication materials using various communication platforms.
n Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan: This emphasized on the distribution of food products, disinfectants, alcohol, personal protective equipment and provision of support services to affected communities and frontliners. This is in response to the call to immediately extend assistance to families and individuals affected by the community quarantine.
The 10 technology-transfer projects/programs are food related assistance distributed to beneficiaries and non-food related assistance distributed to beneficiaries.
n Pagkain at Kabuhayan sa Pamayanan: This supported various food production and livelihood projects, such as Gulayan sa Pamayanan, Tilapia para sa Pamayanan, and Manok at Itlog para sa Pamayanan.
n DOST-PCAARRD in the Regions: This is comprised of the Quick Response Project proposals from 15 consortia based on the assessed and identified ongoing and prospective activities needed to address Covid-19 concerns and impacts in the regions.
n Rebuilding the Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources in Response to Covid-19 (ReAARRC)—It is the R&D and innovation component of the Galing-PCAARRD Program.
The ReAARRC activities and projects focus on non-food/non-crops initiatives, such as production of coconut ethyl alcohol, Lapnis-framed face shields, bamboo soap products, bamboo-abaca handsfree disinfectant dispenser and foot bath prototypes, and development of Giant Swamp Taro chipping machine and GIS-based system.
n Gulayan sa Pamayanan: An offshoot of the initial Gulayan sa Pamayanan project under Component 3 is offering urban agriculture technologies, such as Enhanced Potting Preparation (EPP) and Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) Hydroponics in National Capital Regionthe , Region 3 and Region 4A, through the collaboration among DOST-PCAARRD, Caritas and DOST Regional Offices.
n Smart Food Value Chain Program: An integration of the different DOST agencies’ initiatives among PCAARRD, PCIEERD, ITDI, FNRI and DOST Regional Offices in partnership with SUCs to enhance the food value chain for selected commodities in identified regions.
It is done by implementing key approaches to strengthen the network of stakeholders and processes involved in the production and value adding activities towards food resiliency in the new normal.