The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) thru its Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program has awarded a portable rescue boat touted as ‘unsinkable’ to Sitio Talaib in barangay Calmay on September 29 as part of its disaster preparedness and emergency response program.
Mayor Belen Fernandez welcomed the opportunity for island barangay residents to make use of the boat during emergencies and calamity as she thanked DOST OIC-Regional Director Dr. Teresita Tabaog and Provincial Director Engr. Arnold Santos for choosing Calmay as recipient of the equipment.
Developed by Philtech Boat Designs and Fabrication Industry with its Patent Holder Ronald Pagsanghan, the porta boat is composed of buoyant materials and rigid fiberglass flexi-polymer composite/high density Polyethylene Terephthalate making it impact-resistant and afloat even when damaged.
As one of the CEST communities in Region 1 under the Project NaKaSaGaNa (Naglilinang ng Kahandaan sa Sakuna Gamit ang Napapanahong Teknolohiya), Dagupan aims to integrate climate action to its programs to strengthen its adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in the community.
Climate action is part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations that endeavors to raise awareness and human and institutional capability on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction.
“We want people to be aware of our programs to mitigate the effects of climate change and this Porta Boat given by the DOST-CEST will serve its purpose to help the residents deal with the many effects of climate change,” Mayor Fernandez said during the event which was also attended by Councilor Michael Fernandez, Councilor Jeslito Seen, Councilor Dennis Canto. Calmay Barangay Captain Evangelita dela Cruz and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Head Ronald de Guzman.
