BONTOC, Mountain Province- Barangays Dalican, Guina-ang, and Mainit, all in Bontoc, Mountain Province that are affected by the issue of insurgency are recipients of livelihood, education, and health assistance programs of the government amounting to nearly P1 million.
This is still part of the government’s commitment in responding to the clamor and needs of the villagers in a series of consultations conducted in the previous years by the task force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC).
The P939,210.50 funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) covers the Muscovado Processing Center for Darlic Irrigators Association in Barangay Dalican; Meat Processing Center for the Vinnachang Mainit PWD Organization, the provision of ceramic water filters to the beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and provision of the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks (STARBOOKS – first digital science library in the Philippines) to three public elementary schools. The recipients of the STARBOOKS are Guina-ang Elementary School (ES), Dalican ES, and Mainit ES.
According to Labor and Employment Officer II/Municipal S&T Coordinator Jenelyn Caluza, one STARBOOKS will also be provided to the Bontoc Municipal Library for public use. She added that Dalican National High School (NHS), Guina-ang NHS, and Guina-ang NHS- Mainit Extension were earlier recipients of the STARBOOKS. The STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information kiosk hence; information access is possible even without an internet connection that is why it is really for the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. It is very appropriate for remote areas. The information kiosk contains educational videos, library materials, DOST publications including the Philippine Science Journal, and DOST technologies, interactive Science and Math courseware, and other education-related materials.
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey expressed his gratitude to the DOST for the assistance that comes into the package responding to the livelihood, education, and health needs of the villages.
“We are faced with the difficult situation due to the global pandemic, but the programs of the government are not paralyzed. This is a manifestation of the commitment of government in bringing its services to the grassroots,” Odsey added.
The mayor urged the beneficiaries to take good care of the equipment provided to them with high hopes that it shall be used for its intended purpose.
Prior to the turnover of the equipment, ceramic water filters, and STARBOOKs to the intended recipients, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was forged between the DOST represented by DOST- Regional Director Nancy Bantog, Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU) represented by Mayor Franklin Odsey, Vinnachang Mainit PWD Organization President Edward Manengyao, Darlic Irrigators Association President Reynald Waking, School Head of Dalican ES Maurice Baniswal, School Head of Mainit Manuela Lomasoc, and School Head of Guina-ang ES Estefania Ana-ao.
Present to witness the MOA signing were DOST- Mountain Province Provincial Science and Technology Director Alfonso Berto, Municipal S&T Coordinator Jenelyn Caluza, Accountant III of DOST-CAR Shela Lorraine Cosalan, and Municipal Accountant of Bontoc LGU Yolanda Comafay.
The signing of the MOA was held on May 10, 2021, at the Mayor’s Conference Hall of the Bontoc Municipal Capitol. By Alpine L. Killa
