‘Tatak Galing’: DOST enumerates accomplishments of ‘GALING-PCAARRD’ program

From a mere “pandemic response project” aiming to help those in need, the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals, also known as GALING-PCAARRD, has gradually become the tool of success to many Filipinos.

GALING-PCAARRD is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD). It started with three main components namely technology-information sharing, sustainable food production technologies, and livelihood generation for families affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Noong 2020, inilunsad namin ang Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals or GALING-PCAARRD program bilang tugon sa pandemya. Nagsimula ang Galing-PCAARRD sa tatlong components na nakatuon sa pamamahagi ng mga teknolohiya at kaalaman, pagkain, at kabuhayan sa ating mga kababayan na naapektuhan ng pandemya (In 2020, we launched the GALING-PCAARRD program in response to the pandemic. GALING-PCAARRD began with three components focused on sharing technological knowledge, food, and livelihood to Filipinos affected by the pandemic),” said PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora in a virtual presser on Thursday, Feb. 17.

The program’s components have gradually grown. According to Ebora, the GALING-PCAARRD program has 80 projects and 16 initiatives currently. Of this number, 49 are being utilized to help Filipinos in need.

“Unahin natin ang “Teknolohiya Kaalaman para sa Pamayanan (Technological Knowledge for the Community).” Sa ilalim ng component na ito ay nakapagbahagi tayo ng mga babasahin at videos at nakapagsagawa rin ng mga pulong balitaan tungkol sa mga teknolohiya at impormasyong makabuluhan sa pamayanan (First is the “Teknolohiya Kaalaman para sa Pamayanan” component. Under this, we were able to share literature and videos. We have also held conferences about technologies and information relevant to the community),” said Ebora.

He likewise stressed that the initiative has given communities an opportunity to learn how they can produce their own food or start their own livelihood.

“Samantala, ang “Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan” o LingAP (Assistance to the Community) ay nakatuon sa pamamahagi ng pagkain at iba pang essential goods at tulong sa mga apektadong komunidad at frontliners. Sa tulong ng mga agri-based technology business incubators sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa, ang LingAP ay nakapagsagawa ng 16 na relief operations at mga community pantry (Meanwhile, “Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan” or LingAP focused on distributing food and other essential goods and assistance to affected communities and frontliners. With the help of agri-based technology business incubators in various parts of the country, LingAP has conducted 16 relief operations and community pantries),” he added.

Meanwhile, GALING-PCAARRD’s “Pagkain at Kabuhayan sa Pamayanan” (Food and Livelihood for the Community) supported various food production and livelihood projects across the country.

“Ang mga prokeyto sa ilalim ng Galing-PCAARRD ay ang aming kontribusyon sa sama-samang pagsisikap ng samabayanan upang tugunan ang mga pagsubok at hamon na dala ng COVID-19 (The projects under GALING-PCAARRD are our contribution to the collective efforts of the people to address the trials and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic),” Ebora added.