by: Mitchel Raymund B. Lechuga, PA-II

The Provincial Science and Technology Center of Batanes conducted the 2017 Provincial Science and Technology Week, August 1-7, 2017.

 The activities held during the S&T Week started with the participation of the religious sector when the Parish Priest of Basco, Fr. Zenki Manabat requested the PSTC Batanes for a Skills Training to be conducted to interested parishioners (even recycling used candles) into candles and rosary for the Church. There were participants from the senior citizens and younger entrepreneurs. They were trained to make different kinds of candles and rosary made of beads.

 On Day 2, Integrated Science and Math Quiz Bee was conducted to both elementary and secondary. But Itbayat was not represented due to inclement weather and therefore unsafe for sea crafts or motorboats to cross the seas from Itbayat to Batan Island. First to fifth placers can join and represent Batanes to the Regional Quiz Bee.

 Poster-making Contest was another competition for elementary and secondary, with the DOST NSTW Theme: ‘SCIENCE for the PEOPLE’. The contest revealed the skills in arts and creativity of the Ivatans.

 Higher level of activities for the education sector was training on How to Conduct Investigatory Projects. This was participated by elementary pupils, secondary students and teachers in both elementary and high school. Said training aims to upgrade science investigatory participants on how to improve their research by using indigenous and endemic plants which responds to the needs of the community and possible source of livelihood in the province.

 Day 3 was for the entrepreneurs. Skills training on Meat Processing was participated by 11 entrepreneurs in the province. They were trained to process different meat products using advanced meat technology. This is aimed to equip participants’ additional knowledge and skills on the use of advanced technology. Coconut meat products processing was also conducted during the day. It would create additional income and improved value of the product.

 Day 4, another training for adults in the community are skills training on wine-making and fruit juice processing. Nine entrepreneurs in the province participated actively on how to make wine out of sweet potato or camote (Ivatan term is WAKAY). Then how to process fruit juices with the ingredient turmeric or powdered yellow ginger (Ivatan term is HAMA). Both raw materials the camote and yellow ginger are abundant in the province. Said skills training aims to utilize additional product to create livelihood for the Ivatans.

Ivatans are gratified by the conduct of contests and trainings, and equally hopeful for continued support from the Provincial Science and Technology Center in Batanes.