LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato, Feb. 3 (PIA)-- Residents of Sitio Blit in Barangay Ned, this municipality, will soon undergo trainings that will add value to their agricultural products.
Their school will also receive a digital library to facilitate access to important information and technology, said Engr. Sammy Malawan, DOST XII regional director.
Director Malawan joined TESDA Director-General Sec. Isidro Lapeña in his visit to Sitio Ned on Friday (January 29).
"Based on conversations with the officials and residents of Sitio Blit, we have determined that there is a need to upgrade their products. This is why we will conduct technology trainings as well as equipment that will improve the value of their produce," Engr. Malawan said.
Malawan explained that under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's Executive Order No. 70 (Institutionalizing the Whole-of-Nation Approach in Attaining Inclusive and Sustainable Peace, Creating a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, and Directing the Adoption of a National Peace Framework), DOST is committed to assist communities affected by insurgency with livelihood opportunities, among others.
Farmers in Sitio Blit mostly produce root crops, corn, and peanuts.
"We have initial agreements with TESDA Provincial Director Artemio del Rosario Jr. regarding our return here to hold technology trainings."
TESDA-South Cotabato have started holding hands-on classes for organic agriculture for farmers and residents of Sitio Blit and neighboring Sitio Lemdel.
"Apart from this, we will also install a digital library in your school. We call this STARBOOKS where everybody can conduct research even without internet connection. Students and teachers and anybody interested may use it to gather information and learn about technologies," he told the community.
According to the DOST website, STARBOOKS (short for Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks) "contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed 'pods' set in a user-friendly interface."
As a standalone kiosk, STARBOOKS allow access to information without internet connection. Contents are compiled of science and technology information all over the world. It also contains livelihood videos.
Although Sitio Blit Elementary School is not connected to a power distribution line, it has solar-powered energy system being used by teachers and the students. (DED/PIA XII)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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