State universities and colleges (SUCs) and government agencies in Ifugao, La Union, Samar, and Laguna work together to share products of science and technology initiatives to their respective communities in “Lingkod Alalay sa Pamayanan” or LINGAP.
LINGAP is an initiative conceptualized and organized by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
It is a collaboration among partner agencies being supported by the Technology Transfer and Promotion Division (TTPD) of DOST-PCAARRD: Ifugao State University (IFSU), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU), Samar State University (SSU), and Bureau of Plant Industry-Los Baños National Crop Research, Development and Production Support Center (BPI-LBNCRDPSC).
The initiative mimics the community pantry concept, wherein the harvests and other products of the partner agencies will be distributed to its communities. Donors from the community are also welcome to contribute other food and non-food products to be distributed.
LINGAP was launched on July 30, 2021 via Facebook Live.
“In Filipino, the word “lingap” corresponds to compassion, providing attention, or the act of taking care of someone. This is the main concept of LINGAP,” said DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña (in Filipino) in his message. “I hope that through this initiative, government agencies become inspired and follow suit.”
According to DOST-PCAARRD Executive Director Reynaldo V. Ebora, LINGAP is one of the components of the Good Agri-Aqua Livelihood Initiatives towards National Goals or GALING-PCAARRD Kontra COVID-19 program. The program is DOST-PCAARRD’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
Although the event was held for one day, the launch was just a glimpse of more efforts of DOST-PCAARRD in responding to the needs of communities in times of natural disasters.
“The project, which we launched today, is only part of our initiatives at DOST in terms of responding to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is only the start of introducing the gains of S&T to our fellow Filipinos,” said DOST Undersecretary for R&D Rowena Cristina L. Guevarra. “I hope that this initiative will flourish and expand to more locations in the country” (Rose Anne M. Aya, DOST-PCAARRD S&T Media Services).
