The Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) conducted its first wave of relief operations in Pampanga on May 7.
This was accomplished through the Intellectual Property and Technology Business Management (IP-TBM) program of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
Led by Walter L. Pacunana, the PSAU IP-TBM team opted for healthier food options using the food-based technologies generated by the university. At least a hundred food bags were repacked and distributed. The food bags were repacked from 500 kg of rice, 125 kg of dried red tilapia, and 50 trays of chicken eggs.
They initially provided relief assistance to 45 students of the university who were stranded in their dormitories and apartments due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). Help was also extended to the members of nearby communities in Magalang, Pampanga, as well as the PSAU security guards and agricultural workers who stand as the university frontliners since the COVID-19 crisis began.
The relief assistance activities of the IP-TBM unit was also supported by the Office of the President, with the distribution led by PSAU President Dr. Honorio M. Soriano Jr., and the Office of Business Affairs Director Ms. Elena Pineda.
According to Pacunana, the team is planning to conduct more of its relief efforts in the coming weeks to provide more food for families in the province during the COVID-19 crisis.
The IP-TBM program aims to establish and/or enhance the technology transfer and commercialization offices of selected agencies. At present, there are 51 IP-TBM offices all over the country assisting the researchers and innovators in filing intellectual property protection (IPR) of their technologies/innovations and facilitating the commercialization of the protected technologies.
This food distribution initiative is part of the Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan (LINGAP) component of the “GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19” program under the DOST PCAARRD in support to the Republic Act No. 11469 or the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.”
Projects under the DOST-PCAARRD’s Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation (ATBI) and the Science for the Convergence of Agriculture and Tourism (SciCAT) programs are also currently responding to the call for relief assistance.
