Cassava facility benefits far-flung community in Gigaquit town
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SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte -- A significant milestone in uplifting the socioeconomic development of Sitio Soksokon, Brgy. Camam-onan, a geographically-isolated and conflict affected area (GIDCA) in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte, came into fruition during the three-day event on July 18 to 20, 2023.
The Department of Science and Technology - Surigao del Norte (DOST-SDN), in collaboration with the local government unit of Gigaquit, the Philippine Root Crops Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops), and the Poverty Reduction, Livelihood and Employment Cluster - PRLEC, spearheaded the ceremonial turnover of the Cassava Processing Facility and Technology Training on cassava processing and equipment operation for the Soksokon Farmers Association (SOFAAS), who stood to benefit from the establishment of the local microenterprise to utilize cassava tubers and to create value-added food products within the community.
The event was attended by individuals and community leaders showing their strong support for the initiative. In attendance were Mayor Chandru T. Bonite, represented by Elias Borja, Sangguniang Bayan member and committee chair on Agriculture and Fisheries; Inday Flor Bangga, punong barangay of Camam-onan; and Lt. Col. Jerold H. Jale, battalion commander of the 30th Infantry (Fight On) Battalion.
During the ceremonial turnover, Mariel P. Makinano, DOST provincial director, highlighted in her opening message the significance of science, technology, and innovation in fostering socioeconomic transformation and inclusive growth to empower the lives of the people in far-flung communities.
Resource Persons from the PhilRootcrops namely, Dioscoro M. Bolatete, senior agriculturist; Lucenita S. Estoy and Mary Rose M. Maniego, Science Research assistants; and Leonifer S. Escala, fabricator conducted the comprehensive training to capacitate the members of the SOFAAS in various aspects of cassava processing, including equipment operation, product development and innovation, crop improvement, and post-production techniques.
The interventions provided in the facility include state-of-the-art equipment and machineries for cassava processing - grater, spinner, pulverizer, pneumatic dryer, and 2-in-1 extruder machine, along with stainless steel working tables and a water filtration system to ensure the availability of safe, clean, and potable water source for cassava processing. The hands-on activities using the newly acquired equipment further enriched the participants' understanding of the cassava processing industry, resulting in the creation of value-added cassava products as outputs of the technology demonstration.
The project was initiated in response to Executive Order No. 70, s. 2018 that institutionalized the whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace and the creation of a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and directing the adoption of a national peace framework. Funded under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program of DOST, the project is one of the components of the collaborative effort to transform the conflict-affected area into a resilient, peaceful, and competitive community.
The CEST program focuses on alleviating poverty in remote communities through the provision and transfer of technology-based livelihood projects to the most vulnerable areas.
The success of this initiative in Gigaquit served as a testament of the power of collaboration and technology in driving positive change and uplifting the lives of the people even in the far-flung corners of the country. (DOST-SDN/PIA- Surigao del Norte)
