UA, DOST-VI Hand Key of Responsibility to CEST Beneficiaries

University of Antique (UA), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST-VI), turned over the key of responsibility to target beneficiaries of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Phase II project at UA Tario Lim Memorial Campus (UA TLMC) in a virtual ceremony last September 30, 2021.

On behalf of Deputy Speaker and Antique representative, Hon. Loren Legarda, and DOST-VI regional director, Engr. Rowen Gelonga, Dr. Pablo Crespo Jr., UA president, with Dr. May Delgado, UA TLMC director, performed the ceremonial turning over of the equipment to TechnoBEEs.

The said equipment were officially handed to Lipata Fisherfolk Association (LiFA) in Culasi, Katilingban Kubos Kang Mangingisda Kag Mangunguma Kang Martinez (KKMMM) in Tibiao, and Barangay Fisheries Aquatic Resources Management Council (BFARMC) Association in Sebaste.

In a testimony, the vice president of LiFA, Dapfny A. Dimamay, expressed her gratitude to Hon. Loren Legarda, the DOST and UA, as partner implementing agencies of the project, for providing the association with fish drying and smoking equipment, conducting trainings, and showing continued support in improving the quality of life of the fishermen and women in Lipata, Culasi, Antique.

“The pandemic may have restricted the face to face engagement with our beneficiaries but this does not limit the desire of the University to make the program work,” Dr. Crespo expressed in his speech.

He said that the DOST CEST project provided UA an opportunity to achieve its mission of transforming lives and building communities through the institution’s extension function and the expertise of the UAean workforce in the specific components of CEST.

Meanwhile, Hon. Loren Legarda, whose initiative funded the CEST project, said that the sight of the hardships and needs, and the pleas of Antiqueños pushed her to bring the national government and its services closer to her ‘kasimanwa’.

“We cannot let the poor remain poor. We cannot let the province suffer while our neighbouring provinces are soaring. That is why I decided to step up and make use of my 20-year experience of legislative work to help uplift the lives of our dear kasimanwa,” Hon. Legarda said.

During the virtual program, Dr. Crespo representing UA, Engr. Gelonga of DOST-VI, and Mr. Joeny A. Mabaquiao, representative of KKMM performed the ceremonial signing of the memorandum of understanding, witnessed by Engr. Abraham Fabila of the Provincial Science and Technology Center Antique and Dr. May Delgado of UA TLMC.

The partner agencies and institutions, namely: DOST-VI, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) VI and DSWD Antique, Department of Education (DepEd) VI and DepEd Antique, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Antique, National Research Council of the Philippines, Esprutingkle Food Corporation, Antique Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and KKMM likewise expressed their statement of commitment to the CEST project in the province.