The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) initiated relief assistance activities to constituents of Tacurong City and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. The activities were implemented by the Agricultural Technology Business Incubator (ATBI) of the Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU), which provided assistance to COVID-19 frontliners and constituents of the said municipalities on April 6, 10, and 15, 2020.
This is in response to the growing need for support to the local government units (LGUs) as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put a halt in people’s lives and threaten health security.
SKSU-ATBI donated 520 bottles of kalamansi juice and 30 packs of mushroom products to the LGU of Tacurong City on April 6. It was soon followed by another batch of 500 bottles of kalamansi juice and 100 packs of mushroom pickles to the same location on April 10.
The second recipient of the relief operation was the municipality of Kalamansig, which received 1,000 bottles of kalamansi juice, 100 packs of mushroom pickles, 10 packs of turmeric, and 36 packs of coffee on April 15.
SKSU-ATBI is one of the 16 ATBIs that are supported by DOST-PCAARRD under the Agri-Aqua Technology Business Incubation Program.
ATBIs house mature technologies on agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources (AANR) sectors. These technologies are commercialized by supporting, nurturing, and establishing viable agribusinesses under the ATBIs’ care. Led by Dr. Rande B. Dechavez of SKSU, the SKSU-ATBI houses technologies on kalamansi, duck eggs, mushroom, and halal goat, among others.
Before the relief operations, Dr. Dechavez coordinated with the Municipal Mayor of Kalamansig, Hon. Rolando Garcia, for the delivery of the goods. The incubatees of SKSU-ATBI likewise assisted in the relief operations.
This initiative is just one of the efforts that have been done to help alleviate the situation in the province amidst the current health crisis.
PCAARRD is one of the sectoral councils of the DOST, which is mandated to formulate policies, plans, and programs for science and technology-based R&D in the different sectors under its concern. It coordinates, evaluates, and monitors the national R&D efforts in the AANR sector. It also allocates government and external funds for R&D and generates resources to support its program.