𝗦𝘂𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗰, 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗻- As part of the implementation of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program here, the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 1 through the Provincial Science and Technology Center Ilocos Sur conducted a Training on Bottled Fish Products and awarded processing equipment and packaging materials to Ikan iti Sulvec Dur-as ti Asosasyon (ISDAlicious), an organized association of the barangay, last June 28, 2022 at Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC)- Narvacan Campus.

“The activity is part of the Livelihood Intervention of the CEST program which aims to increase the income of the community through the provision of appropriate training and technology interventions to insurgency-affected areas,” said Engr. Jordan L. Abad, OIC PSTC Ilocos Sur, discussing the rationale of the activity.

Fourteen (14) members of the ISDAlicious were capacitated on bottling Bangus and are the recipient of processing equipment such as a unit chest freezer, a stainless table with under shelf, a stainless table with double sink, 1032 bottles as initial packaging materials with complete accessories among other kitchen utensils.

“We are very glad and grateful that DOST brings this livelihood training and is always here to support our endeavor in Narvacan, specifically in Barangay Sulvec,” Hon Jovenniano B. Ampo Jr, Sangguniang bayan member, said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Emed F. Manzano, Campus Administrator Narvacan Campus said that they are having coordination with the association and allowing them to use a laboratory room within the ISPSC-Narvacan Campus for the fish processing endeavors as part of their Gender and Development initiatives after knowing the adoption of training organized by DOST last year. “You are very lucky and blessed as you are assisted by DOST in this endeavor as you are equipped with training and equipment for you to increase your income,” she added.

Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino, Senior Science Research Specialist of DOST-1 Food Innovation Center of Pangasinan State University-DOST, and Ms. Catherine Lictao, Project Assistant I of PSTC-Pangasinan, served as the resource person and facilitator, respectively, introducing Bangus bottling technology of the DOST-ITDI.

“Agyamyaman kami iti amin nga tulong yo tapno makarubwat kami iti panagprocesso me iti ikan,” said Mrs. Encarnita C. Prangan, association President.

The association is organized by DOST-1 last year after training on smoked fish and bagoong processing. They were closely monitored under the CEST-ELCAC program wherein they started producing smoked bangus and bagoong and are now upgraded with the training and provision of equipment.

“We are continuously providing you with appropriate interventions that will support this venture, we are together with you in this undertaking,” Engr. Abad ended.

The said activity was spearheaded by the DOST 1-PSU FIC in collaboration with the DOST 1- Research and Development and International Linkages Program Management Center (RDILPMC). The former is led by Dr. Wilma De Vera together with Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino, DOST 1 Food Technologist, Prof. Veronica Austria, and Dr. Raquel C. Pambid, and the latter by Ms. Annalie Rosales.

Faculty members from PSU Bayambang and RDILPMC staff underwent lectures on the pertinent information about food product development from conceptualization to market launch using the state gate approach, basic statistics, and the design of experts. The participants were also able to get the know-how of the preparation, dehydration, and vacuum frying demonstration of microwavable ready-to-eat bagnet

In her message, Dr. Liza L. Quimson, Campus Executive Director emphasized that the establishment of Pangasinan State University DOST 1- FIC in the region has helped a lot of MSMEs, students, and researchers, and the center looks forward to more R&D outputs that will benefit the community.

Another lecture training on the production of non-wheat flour and equipment demonstration was conducted on May 24. The lecture training was led by Dr. Wilma M. De Vera, FIC Manager together with the PSU- DOST 1 FIC team. Among the topics discussed was the lecture on the Processing of Cassava Flour and Butter Cake by Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino, DOST 1 Food Technologist, GMP and Food Safety by Ms. Charissa M. De Vera, Faculty-Researcher, Processing of Saba Flour and Pandesal by Mr. Felcris Dy, Processing of Sweet Potato Flour and Brownies by Ms. Catherine L. Lictao, Project Assistant I and Processing of Squash Flour by Mr. Emmanuel Abenes, Project Assistant I.

After the in-depth lectures, the afternoon session includes the Demonstration of FIC Equipment and the Squash Flour Demo by Mr. Samuel De Guzman and Mr. Emmanuel Abenes. The participants were given an opportunity to experience the lectures through hands-on demonstrations.//

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A Memorandum of Agreement between Pangasinan State University Bayambang Campus and LGU of Urbiztondo was signed today, May 17, 2022, for the conduct of the free CSC online review for LGU employees and other interested individuals.

The review will start from May 21 to June 18, every Saturday, 8 AM to 12 NN.  Present at the said event is Hon. Martin Raul S. Sison, II, Municipal Mayor of Urbiztondo, Dr. Liza L. Quimson, Campus Executive Director, Dr. Gudelia M. Samson, Dean of CAST, Prof. Ian Gamo, Chairperson of BPA Department, Dr. Roseanne C. Agustin, Extension Coordinator and other LGU officials of Urbiztondo.

In celebration of Women’s Month, a webinar entitled “Orientation on Safe Spaces Act (RA  11313)” was successfully conducted last March 23, 2022. It was held by Pangasinan State University in collaboration with the Gender and Development Resource Centre which was quite pertinent in our society. The webinar was held via Zoom platform and streamed through Facebook live with hundreds of participants.

The Campus Guidance Counselor and a member of GAD Unit, Mr. Randy De Guzman, delivered the welcome remarks where he acknowledged the resource speaker, university officials, faculty members, employees, students, and other Facebook live viewers. Dr. Maria Berenice Glizzle M. Catabay, the Coordinator of the GAD Unit explained the objectives of the webinar and the house rules.

Atty. Jordan R. Galimba Public Attorney 2 of PAO-San Carlos District Office shared his expertise as a resource speaker. He thoroughly discussed the said law and how it applies to the work environment. He mentioned that safe spaces are places where people feel physically and emotionally safe where they may freely express themselves without the fear of criticism and violence. These exhibit respect for the dignity of all human beings and complete respect for human rights, guaranteeing that both men and women enjoy quality, security, and safety not only in private but also in streets, public spaces, online, workplaces, and educational and training institutions.  In addition, he explained how crucial it is to comprehend declaration policies, important definitions, and general acts punishable in Gender-Based Sexual Harassment, revealing that Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) is extremely significant in institutions.

To ensure that listeners understood the talk, Atty. Galimba has presented sets of situations/cases about the topic. The participants then gave their opinion on the presented situations/topics. It was indeed an amazing and lively discussion since the participants actively participated by asking relevant questions as well as by sharing their thoughts or insights on the topic. With that, we are certain that this topic genuinely opened the minds and widened the horizons of our participants.

Atty. Galimba ended his talk by reiterating that everyone has the responsibility to make a safe environment and a secured community free from criticism and harm. A VAWC-free community should start with every individual.

Afterward, Certificates of recognition were virtually awarded to our resource speaker in acknowledgment of his invaluable services rendered to fully realized this webinar. A link for evaluation was also disseminated to the participants for them to secure an E-Certificate. The webinar was formally ended at exactly 12NN thru the closing remarks by Mr. Wilbert O. Rosario

A quote from former Supreme Court US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Fight for the things that you care about but do it in a way that will lead others to join you” is the best way to describe the goal of this webinar.//

The Department of Science and Technology Region 1- PSTC Ilocos Sur awarded various equipments, the multi commodity solar dryer and pulverizer and conducted a training on Optimized Camote Flour Production and By-Product Utilization last March 11, 2022 at Sito Kimpatubbog, Brgy Poblacion, Suyo Ilocos Sur as part of their CEST Program attended by 10 members of the Camote Growers Association.

FIC staff Ms. Meryl Bernardino shared the 3S of food processing-Source, Safety and Standards and demonstrated the process of making high quality camote flour and utilized camote peels in making camote wine.

The participants was able to do hands-on-training and produced camote wine and camote flour as an output.//