DOST to set up 18 more facilities for livelihood in Region 6
BACOLOD CITY – The Department of Science and Technology in Western Visayas turned over recently livelihood funds to beneficiaries from three provinces - Negros Occidental, Aklan and Iloilo.
The turn over was held during the celebration of 111th Independence Day celebration at the Amigo Plaza Mall in Iloilo City.
DOST Regional Director Rowen Gelonga in an interview said that the component of the program is the establishment of community based food processing facilities.
Gelonga revealed that Negros Occidental will have seven facilities, five facilities for Aklan and Iloilo will have six.
In Negros Occidental, the assistance will be forwarded to Carlos Hilado Memorial State College for the implementation of the project while DOST will provide equipment support although particular sites for the facilities are yet to be determined. The total project cost per facility is P55,000 or P385,000 for the entire province.
Meanwhile in Iloilo, DOST turned over check worth P682,740 to Small and Medium Enterprise Development Foundation or SMED, a non-government organization.
SMED President Valerie Maravilla said that through the assistance, they will be able to reach to more beneficiaries as it will benefit one organization with one facility and will therefore generate more employment.
Engr. Sheila Oberio, OIC – Office of the Provincial S&T Department said that for Iloilo, technology based incubation centers will be set up where DOST will provide equipment to the identified centers for micro enterprise.
“This is a livelihood project in the sense that it will make use of locally available resources in the community with the use of the facilities. It can also help generate employment,” GeLonga added.
180 worker-beneficiaries are expected to benefit in 3 provinces all over Western Visayas. (PIA/ EAD)