A Christmas donation drive was conducted to distribute clothing, toys, hygiene kits, and medicines to selected Mangyan communities in Oriental Mindoro.
Organized by the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD), The donation drive was an offshoot of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities for the "S&T Community-Based for Inclusive Development (STC4iD)” on livelihood improvement of Mangyan Communities in Mindoro through Science and Technology (S&T) Interventions. This activity, held on December 11 to 13, 2023; Was organized by the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD).
STC4iD is a project being implemented by the Mindoro State University (MinSU), in collaboration with Pampamayanang Mangyan Ugnayan Incorporated (PMUI). It aims to uplift the socio-economic status of five selected Mangyan communities in Oriental Mindoro, specifically in the municipalities of Victoria, Gloria, and Bongabong, through S&T-based livelihood interventions.
The DOST-PCAARRD Team, along with MinSU Project Team and PMUI, visited project sites in Canaan in Victoria; Bayang in Bongabong; and Bungkarot in Gloria, Mindoro. Representatives from other Mangyan beneficiary groups joined to observe and learn best practices for adoption in their own community farms.
Mangyan communities proudly displayed a diverse array of vegetable crops, including calamansi, banana, pepper, eggplant, chili, sitao, squash, pechay, ampalaya, okra, patola, corn, taro, cassava, sweetpotato, bottle gourd, radish, mustard greens, and tomato. These crops are sold in local markets and used for personal consumption.
The project has been approved for its second-year funding during the Governing Council Meeting on December 7, 2023. This positive development ensures ongoing assistance to the Mangyan communities to enhance their socio-economic status through S&T-based livelihood interventions.
In general, the M&E activity yielded positive responses, addressed the project team's concerns, and offered valuable recommendations to enhance the outcomes of the three-year project.
Mangyan farmer beneficiaries of Sitio Bungkarot, Buong Lupa, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro together with the PCAARRD Team, MinSU, and PMUI. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD
Agricultural land of Mangyan farmer beneficiaries of Sitio Bungkarot, Buong Lupa, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro cultivating rows of sitao. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD
Mangyan farmer beneficiaries of Canaan, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro showcasing their ampalaya harvests from their vegetable farm. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD
Mangyan farmer beneficiaries of Sitio Bayang, Lisap, Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD
Donations being loaded in a carabao cart to be brought to the Mangyan community in Sitio Bungkarot, Buong Lupa, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD
Mangyan children playing with their early Christmas gifts from the donations. Image Credit: TTPD, DOST-PCAARRD