DOST, CESB bring science-based relief to disaster-hit Sarangani

GLAN, Sarangani Province – Demonstrating that science, compassion, and collaboration are essential in disaster response, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) XII and the Career Executive Service Board (CESB)formally merged their humanitarian initiatives — Agapay ng Agham and the Compassion Project — to deliver science-based relief assistance and essential services to communities affected by the recent destructive earthquake and succeeding typhoon-induced calamities in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region.

Originally intended for the families of Barangay Pangyan, Glan, the humanitarian assistance was symbolically turned over to the Provincial Government of Sarangani to ensure its timely and coordinated distribution to Barangay Pangyan and other families affected by the earthquake and weather-related disasters across the province.

Leading the turnover on behalf of DOST SOCCSKSARGEN was Regional Director Engr. Sammy P. Malawan, PhD, who emphasized that science extends beyond research laboratories and becomes most meaningful when it directly responds to the needs of communities.

“𝘚𝘢 𝘋𝘖𝘚𝘛, 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘸𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘩𝘪𝘺𝘢 𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘢 𝘵𝘢𝘰, 𝘭𝘢𝘭𝘰 𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘥. 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘨𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘨𝘩𝘢𝘮, 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺,” RD Malawan shared.

As part of DOST’s science-driven humanitarian response, the assistance included Iron-Fortified Rice developed by the DOST–Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food packs, and Ceramic Water Filters developed by the DOST–Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI). These science-based technologies were provided to help ensure access to nutritious food and safe drinking water — two of the most critical needs during emergencies — while complementing the government’s ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts.

The activity brought together national and regional government leaders, headed by Career Executive Service Board (CESB) Chairperson Dr. Urdujah G. Alvarado, CESO II; SOCCSKSARGEN Association of Regional Directors and Executives (ARDE) President and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) XII Regional Director Akmad J. Usman, CESO III; and Sarangani Governor Rogelio D. Pacquiao. They were joined by officials from various national government agencies, such as DepDev, DILG, DepEd, and OCD, local government units, and development partners in a unified show of support for the affected communities.

In her message, Dr. Alvarado emphasized that the Compassion Project reflects the very essence of the Career Executive Service — leaders working beyond institutional boundaries and coming together to put people first. She noted that true public service is measured not by position, but by the willingness to respond with compassion, collaboration, and purpose, especially in times of crisis.

The convergence of Agapay ng Agham and the Compassion Project reflects a shared commitment among government institutions to strengthen disaster response through collaboration. While CESB mobilized government leaders, partner agencies and further humanitarian assistance under the Compassion Project, DOST contributed science and technology-based interventions that support the health, nutrition, and resilience of affected communities.

Governor Pacquiao expressed his appreciation to the participating agencies for their collective efforts, emphasizing that partnerships such as these enable local governments to immediately reach families in need, especially in geographically challenged and disaster-stricken areas.

Through Agapay ng Agham, DOST SOCCSKSARGEN continues to demonstrate that science is not only an engine for innovation and development but also a practical tool for humanitarian assistance. By working alongside CESB, the Provincial Government of Sarangani, and other partner agencies, DOST reaffirms its commitment to bringing science closer to the people — especially those who need it most during times of crisis.