MANILA – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Office in Calabarzon has provided science and technology (S&T)-based assistance to the local communities in Polilio Group of Islands.
Considered as one the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the country, the Polilio Group of Islands is part of Quezon province and composed of 27 islands.
It has three main islands: Polilio, Patnanungan, and Jomalig.
The initiative was part of DOST-Calabarzon’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program.
It aims to “build empowered, progressive, and resilient communities” by giving them packages of some science and technology interventions.
The team initially conducted the program in the town of Burdeos.
Among the S&T-based assistance given to the locals were the RxBox units, a biomedical device capable of measuring a patient’s vital signs, oxygen saturation, uterine contractions, and electrocardiogram readings.
Also the Biotek-M Dengue Aqua Kit, which is a confirmatory test kit for diagnosis of dengue. It can show results within 12 hours.
The regional office has likewise provided enhanced nutribun, SIGLA rice monggo curls, and face shields produced by the Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC).
Aside from the providing products of S&T initiatives, the DOST-Calabarzon also installed automated rain gauges and information dissemination system to the local government unit.
It also upgraded the existing digital library of the town, more commonly known as DOST STARBOOKS.
The regional office also conducted Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) with the Pandan Island Fisherfolks Neighborhood Association (PIFoNA) to determine the kind of assistance the regional office can provide to local fisherfolk.
“Conducting the intervention was honestly difficult, but seeing the smiles on people’s faces made us feel happy and satisfied. The locals show their appreciation. What we did may not be much, but for the people, it is more than enough,” said Jay Villarino, RxBox Project Assistant of DOST-Calabarzon.
