Senator Joel Villanueva (middle) together with ASec. Teodoro Gatchalian (left) and DOST-3 regional director Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat (right) during the presentation of the DOST-3 Expanded CEST program on Thursday. Photo by Joann Manabat
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO โ Senator Joel Villanueva, on Thursday, visited the Department of Science and Technology III regional office here to ensure the implementation of the Expanded Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology program.
The DOST-CEST program aims to empower various recessed regions in the country through its five interventions namely livelihood, health and nutrition, environmental protection and conservation, education, and disaster risk reduction management for communities with conflicts, women’s organizations, indigenous people, geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and the marginalized sectors.
A short presentation and awarding of the DOST-3 Expanded CEST program beneficiaries was held and attended by assistant secretary Teodoro Gatchalian, DOST-3 regional director Dr. Julius Caesar Sicat together with Floridablanca Vice Mayor Michael Galang and beneficiaries as well as other parties participated via online.
Satisfied with its implementation in Central Luzon, Villanueva commended the DOST-3 and said that the Expanded CEST program will help improve the livelihoods of the economically disadvantaged communities in region 3 through progressive establishment of development through science and technology especially in this time of pandemic.
“Sa atin pong constitution, pinapatingkad po nito ang programa ng CEST dahil ito po ay bottom-up development philosophy โ nagsisimula sa grassroots o sa baba,” said Villanueva.
“Ito pong community empowerment, naniniwala po ako na ito ay sasandalan ng ating economic recovery lalo na ngayon pandemiya kaya dapat makiisa ang bawat isa sa sa paggawa at paglikha ng trabaho, livelihood programs, at pamamaraan hindi lang para magsurvive o mabuhay kundi magtagumpay sila at maranasan ang kasaganahan at mawala sa estado ng pagiging isang kahig-isang tuka,” he added.
The senator also noted the importance of DOST being one of the government agencies as one of his priorities by constantly advocating to increase its budget at the senate through various initiatives and programs.
