Brgy. Manobisa is predominantly a remote barangay in the municipality of Magpet, in the province of Cotabato which has an approximate population of 1,994 based on the Philippine Statistics Authority 2020 census. And this number represented 3.71% of the total population of the municipality. But although it is quite few compared to its adjacent barangays, still the vicinity offers more than just it’s escapade and adventure challenges. To give you a gist, you may stumble over the cold breeze of Manobisa falls or even find yourself trekking on some of the barangay’s mountain trails, but as it may sound cliché, the people are it's great offer.
According to PSA, the economically-abled population or potential members of the workforce, roughly those ages ranging from 15 to 64, account for 54.06 percent of the population. And with these numbers, a conclusive survey on the Philippine labor force by the same agency showed a whopping 8.9% unemployment rate as of September 2021 with a slight increase from the previous month, and thus, affecting everyone. We must take note that even though this percentage is nationwide applicable, it still affects all walks of life. Now that education is seemingly compromised as with the healthcare system, employment of the labor force is indeed at risk. And this simply implies a reduction in a family's disposable income, erodes purchasing power, degrades employees’ morale and competency, and even lowers the economy's productivity. Which is why, we are also given the moniker “third world country”.
But in light of this staggering reality, which most of us believed to have been worsened by the pandemic and natural disturbances, there is a dire need to capacitate human resources because it is the asset of every locality and even the smallest unit of the community – family.
The Department of Science and Technology XII’s program CEST or Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology is a response to the government's Whole of the Nation Approach in support of the task force-ELCAC or End Local Communist Armed Conflict, which targets marginalized sectors such as farmers and fisherfolk groups, Indigenous Peoples, Women's Organizations, and Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas or GIDAS, as Engr. Sammy Malawan emphasized. Furthermore, this program aims to provide livelihood and alleviate poverty in remote communities. And as it is a response to the ever-increasing economic problem, it entails provision and transfer of technology-based livelihood projects to the selected communities in the whole region.
To dissect a little more, the CEST comprises six components namely economic growth, environmental protection and conservation, human resource development, health and nutrition, catastrophe risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation. For economic growth and development, the community will be supplied with livelihood initiatives that include relevant Science and Technology interventions to generate additional income and local employment. This extension plan of DOST gives everyone a better opportunity to work and has become a springboard for recovery through pervasive crises.
And with the DOST’s program to support the marginalized sector, MATRIWA & KALIPI, two women organizations from Manobisa were identified as recipients of the livelihood technology training. From there, a total of 33 participants were able to learn the Calamansi Juice Processing and Herbal Soap-Making.
Subsequently, Major Fruit Crops Quarterly Bulletin of PSA showed that Calamansi production for April to June 2021 was recorded at 13.38 thousand metric tons, a decrease of -7.8 percent from the 14.51 thousand metric tons in the same period of 2020. And although Region XII’s production of calamansi is roughly lower than a thousand metric tons per year as of 2021, this doesn’t change the fact that production is desired to exponentially grow. And Brgy. Manobisa as well as Magpet municipality, being covered by forested land and agricultural setting is expected to contribute greatly to the competitiveness of Calamansi Juice Production and Processing.
The Calamansi production encompasses land preparation and farm maintenance activities such as irrigation, fertilization, pruning, weeding, and pest and disease prevention. These activities are sometimes called “cultural management" of the plant. Perhaps, production plays a big part. In contrast, another big chunk for the economic aspect is emphasized by DOST-XII – processing. The women organization was taught comprehensively and strategically. From the manual preparation of calamansi such as selection based on morphological traits, washing of unwanted defilement, slicing of the fruit to its extraction, the overall process was in no way laborious since the provided Calamansi Juice Extractor machine of the DOST-XII cut back the time needed to extract the juices which is normally done by hands. The technology itself granted the workers to conveniently hasten the mobility of the work. The apparatus was not issued because the instructions to use it were laid out properly. And by these means, all future beneficiaries of this livelihood program will become capacitated individuals able to train and teach others as well.
In the same vein, herbal soap-making has been renowned and recognized by all innovators, researchers and even to MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises). Alongside, maintaining personal hygiene and good practices such as through washing, cleaning and sanitizing of hands, are deemed imperative steps in preventing the spread of diseases, now more than ever. It is an absolute reality that health is wealth. That is why, DOST-XII spearheaded in assisting these women to be skilled human resources especially in herbal soap-making not just for good hygiene practices or sanitation but through a manifold of aspects.
Since Manobisa’s vast and potential forest resources is verdant as it is, an implementation to cultivate agricultural areas for herbal plantation is a massive help for all its constituents. That being said, specialists from the said agency delivered foremost the information on how herbal soap-making is done, what components it composes and even techniques involved. The crucial part of this development is the interactive response and attentive coordination of the community, specifically the women. They were given the privilege to use some state-of-the-art equipment and innovative design by the DOST-XII. Packaging and product labeling was also elaborated further since it is one of the most important parts. The participants were also briefed of the necessary action to take if certain technical issues would arise. Ultimately, some of the biggest takeaways of the women were the latest trends in herbal-soap development, return of investment, customer feedback and marketing strategies, among others.
True enough, the aforementioned undertakings through sustainable livelihood and even technology transfer are pursuant to Book II, Article I, Section 1 (a) of the Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 9711, otherwise known as the “Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009”.
It is apparent to note that little goes a long way until every remote area is fully penetrated by these relevant technologies and livelihood. This in turn would not just make them multiply their skillset but all the more strive for advancement and sustainability. It is envisaged that women will adopt simple technologies provided for livelihood objectives in order to support both their family's income and the community as a whole. Of course, the DOST XII assured the women's organization as well as Brgy. Manobisa community to be well aware that the agency is ever-present to guide them and help in maintaining what was sown.
The training was a complete success and came out smooth since the joint venture was a collaboration between DOST XII - Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Program and the Arakan Valley Complex - Project Management Office (AVC-PMO). (Ana Sarillo, MSDC-II)
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