The Yuletide season is now in our midst. It opens joy and happiness in the hearts of everyone. To aptly celebrate the spirit of Christmas, the Department of Science and Technology – IX, this year, has chosen the community of Baluno, as recipient of its Outreach Program dubbed as “S & T Day in Baluno”. This will be held on December 17 in the morning.
DOST IX Regional Director Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano said that the “S&T Day” will reach out to 159 pupils of Lima Elementary School in Baluno. The students will come together with their families. Indigent senior citizens from the neighbourhood are also expected to attend. DOST IX personnel and staff throughout the region will be present to ensure smooth and orderly conduct of the event.
Cognizant of the actual situation and needs of the community, the Department has lined-up some practical and meaningful activities for all target beneficiaries: 1) students and teachers - science film screening and S&T scholarship campaign; 2) women / mothers – livelihood enhancement / techno-demo on banana chips making; 3) farmers - seminar on production of high value crops and distribution of vegetables and fruit seedlings (with support of City Agriculturist Office); and 4) senior citizens – wellness mission / medical consultation (with support of DOH IX).
Aside from bringing S&T services closer to the people, the DOST IX workforce will also celebrate the joy of Christmas together with the community. Gift packs will be distributed to 50 indigent / poor families. The gift items include DOST IX-SETUP assisted products, such as calamansi concentrate, squash noodle, squash bread, spanish sardines and bagoong. Each family will also receive five kilos of rice. The 20 senior citizens are expected to receive gift packs such as powdered milk, biscuits, massage liniment / oil and multi-vitamins. The students will also get their share of goodies.
Mrs. Sarah L. Handang, Principal of Lima Elementary School, is working closely with Baluno Barangay Chairman, Ricardo Revillesa to ensure the active participation of the community. The activity is also supported by the 9th Forward Service Support Unit through the leadership of commanding officer, Lt. Col. Edmundo S. Suficiencia.
Barangay Baluno is also a recipient of DOST’s Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) which was installed at Lima Elementary School on March 24, 2014. The ARG device is used to gather and record the amount of rainfall over a set period of time. The rainfall data are sent wirelessly through the cellular network and are collected on a central data server and further analyzed. The processed data are readily available and easily accessible over the Internet, 24/7 at http://noah.dost.gov.ph. (DOST IX PRESS RELEASE)
