The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has disclosed that a cassava processing facility will rise soon in Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said a site visit was conducted on July 27 for the finalization of the plant layout for the processing facility, citing a report submitted by the DOST-Surigao del Norte.
The setting up of the processing facility is one of the identified interventions for the project “Science and Technology Intervention for Transforming into a Resilient, Peaceful and Competitive Community in LASICAM Cluster, Gigaquit, Surigao del Norte.”
The project is set to benefit the Soksokon Coconut Farmers Association (SOCOFAAS), which operates in Barangay Camam-onan, one of the geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected (GIDCA) areas in the region.
“DOST will embark on the utilization of relevant technologies and provision of livelihood opportunities complemented with technology trainings through the establishment of a Cassava Processing Facility,” de la Peña said.
He said other interventions include the deployment of Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Stations or STARBOOKS to schools under the Community Empowerment Through Science and Technology (CEST) program.
STARBOOKS is the country’s first science and technology (S&T) digital library in a box. It contains thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats (text and video/audio) placed in specially designed “pods” set in a user-friendly interface.
De la Peña said a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between DOST, local government unit of Gigaquit, and the Soksokon Coconut Farmers Association was signed last July 5 to legally bind all parties to their respective duties and responsibilities relevant to the program.