Dagupan City has officially joined the 2023 Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) communities in the region, aiming to provide livelihood opportunities to disadvantaged residents. On Tuesday, May 16, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the local government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Present at the signing were Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, OIC Regional Director Dr. Teresita Tabaog, and partner agencies.

This initiative is expected to create new sources of income for marginalized residents through science and technology interventions. Mayor Fernandez discussed this goal with La Union Provincial Governor Mario Eduardo Ortega and USEC. Mabborang, focusing on the program’s potential impact on alleviating poverty in remote communities.

CEST, led by DOST Secretary Engr. Renato Solidum Jr., is a national government program aimed at reducing poverty, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas. In Dagupan, the program will target specific areas in need, including Sitio Tocok in Brgy. Lucao, Sitio Talaib in Brgy. Calmay, and Sitio Guibang in Brgy. Pantal.

In her commitment message, Mayor Belen expressed her dedication to improving the lives of Filipinos in collaboration with various stakeholders. She stated, "I therefore join you and all the other stakeholders in taking the challenge...the collaborative efforts by all the partners are truly inspiring because of this effort to reach out to those who have long been left behind." She added, "Dagupan has always given the highest preferential attention to these communities ever since I became city mayor back in 2013, and our efforts have not ceased to bring government closer to our people."

Mayor Belen was accompanied at the DOST-CEST MOA Signing Ceremony, held at the DMMMSU International Convention Center in Bacnotan, La Union, by Atty. Cattleya de Guzman, City Agriculture Officer-In-Charge Patrick Dizon, Barangay Captain Julie Perez (Pantal), Evangelita dela Cruz (Calmay), and Barangay Secretary Alex Garcia, who represented Liga ng mga Barangay President and Lucao Barangay Captain Lino Fernandez.

Representing Universidad de Dagupan (UdD) was Dr. Ruby Rosa Cruz, the Director for Research and Extension, who will be a key partner in the program’s implementation in Dagupan. Dr. Cruz will work alongside local government units and community stakeholders to ensure that science and technology initiatives reach these communities effectively.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Lambino accepted the CEST program on behalf of Pangasinan Province, and Congressman Toff de Venecia, represented by Atty. Gerald Tabadero, did the same for the Fourth District of Pangasinan.

The city will be supported in implementing the CEST program by several institutions and organizations, including Pangasinan State University (PSU), Universidad de Dagupan (UdD), Philippine Science High School-Ilocos Region Campus, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), the Department of Agriculture (DA-RO1), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Region 1, and Nutridense Food Manufacturing Corporation.