Livelihood equipment were delivered to the Hda. Nalipay Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (HANARBA) in Brgy. 5, Isabela, and Small Farmers Association of Abuanan, Dulao, and Atipuluan (SFAADA) in Bago City, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reported on Tuesday, April 2.
The provision of equipment is part of the Pandayan ng Bayan project that aims to empower local communities in Negros Occidental by improving their manufacturing and metalworking skills, it said.
Funded under DOST’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, the project will provide support to rural industrialization, agricultural development, and creating employment and wealth at the local level, the DOST said.
Four other farmers’ associations in Negros Occidental will also receive the livelihood equipment from the CEST Pandayan ng Bayan project.
They are the Pasto-Agrarian Reform Cooperative in Toboso, Hda. Caridad Dela Paz Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association in Sagay City, Magcorao Upland Farmers Association in Talisay City and Gil Montilla Small Water Irrigation System Association in Sipalay City, the DOST said.
Leading the implementation of the project is the Central Philippines State University in partnership with Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Technological University of the Philippines Visayas, State University of Northern Negros, Philippine Normal University Visayas and RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp. headed by Ramon Uy Sr., and the DOST VI through its Negros Occidental Provincial Office.
The farmer-beneficiaries are also set to undergo livelihood training with RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corp. to operationalize their local Pandayan ng Bayan, the DOST added.*