The Department of Science and Technology Regional OUice No. I (DOST-I) through its
Provincial Science and Technology OUice in Pangasinan conducted a 3-day Livelihood Training on Banana Chips and Fish Processing on October 3-5, 2023, in Santiago Island, Bolinao.
The success of the livelihood training is made possible by ongoing activities spearheaded by the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program, which targets economically disadvantaged communities throughout the country using science and technology interventions.
A total of 30 members of the Women’s Association from the three barangay- beneficiaries, namely Brgy. Binabalian, Brgy. Dewey and Brgy. Goyoden actively participated in the event, which presented alternative methods of manufacturing fish and banana products and improving their quality.
Ms. Patricia Reyes, President of Brgy. Binabalian Women’s Association commended the DOST-initiated training program because it not only imparts knowledge but also instills hope in the women living on an island where poverty isolates them from the fast-growing mainland of Bolinao.
The training program commenced with the assistance of Pangasinan State University (PSU)-DOST 1 Food Innovation Center (FIC) expert Ms. Meryl A. Bernardino with her demonstrations of the in-detail process of making banana chips.
Ms. Monica B. Varilla, Project Technical Aide I of PSU-DOST 1 FIC, demonstrated how quality, standard process and food safety practices are important in the preparation of food products for safe consumption.
Furthermore, Ms. Bernardino discussed the step-by-step process of producing fish tocino, bottled fish in oil and fish siomai to add value to the fish harvested on the island. Participants actively engaged in the hands-on training to get familiar with the production processes of the products that eventually become their source of income.
The DOST 1 CEST Program will continue to strengthen communities by supplying vital information on programs for training in livelihoods and providing technical assistance to ensure that the community will create the goods to help itself raise its standard of living.
