By: Engr. Jordan L. Abad

Beekeeping has become a promising enterprise for communities in Nagbukel and Quirino in Ilocos Sur because of science, technology, and innovation.

The beekeeping enterprise is expected to provide a source of alternative and sustainable livelihood to armed-conflict-affected communities utilizing existing potentials and resources with the help of the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office 1. This initiative, being implemented through the Provincial Science and Technology Center Ilocos Sur, is referred to as the Bee Industry Science and Technology Support (BISTS) project.

The project also aims to provide capacity building activity to wild honey hunters and award bee colonies and materials towards sustainable honey production suitable to the highland forested areas in these communities.

The DOST partnered with the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – National Apiculture Research Training and Development Institute (DMMMSU-NARTDI) and trained 33 honey hunters, 22 in barangay Cosocos, Nagbukel and 11 in the municipality of Quirino. The participants were trained in beekeeping technologies that included the following: proper wild honey collection, native hives beekeeping, bee pest and diseases management, and introduction to honeybee products and by-products. Practical lessons also conducted such as supplemental food preparation and feeding management, assembly of the beehive and wax foundation, and joining of hives.

After the training, the DOST-I awarded 16 bee nucs or colonies and other beekeeping startup kits and materials to the two LGUs. Six colonies with complete bee hive set and apparatus including a honey bee extractor were awarded to Barangay Cosocos, Nagbukel and five nucs each for Barangay Lamag and Barangay Patiacan, Quirino. These were received by LGU representatives, the Barangay captains, and the wild honey bee hunters who were participants of the training.

“Maragsakan kami ta iti amin nga ahensya gobyerno, ti DOST paylaeng ti nangidanon ti training ditoy Barangay me ken nangibati ti pagrugian nga mausar iti panangitultuloy iti daytoy nga pagsapulan,” said Cosocos Barangay Captain Joel C. Almazan, emphasizing that the training is first to be conducted within their barangay. (We are very glad that DOST brought this training in our barangay, and provided us startup kits for us to continue with this livelihood program)

Meanwhile, Vice-mayor Rodolfo C. Aciong of the Municipality of Quirino expressed his gratitude to DOST in providing kits and other materials that brought additional income to the beneficiaries. “Nagasat tayo ta ada kanayon ti DOST nga mangisabet ti tulong ken mangited ti alternative nga pagsapulan tapno manayonan ti income tayo,” said Aciong.

The interventions are part of the livelihood component of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program implemented in the province catering to insurgency-affected municipalities.

Incidentally, the CEST program was just one of the many S&T initiatives showcased by DOST-I during the recently concluded Regional Science and Technology Week. On the other hand, this coming 22-28 November 2021, the DOST, with its agencies and regionals, will banner more innovative technologies, knowledge products and services, development programs and enabling projects through forums, webinars and demonstrations as the Department celebrates the 2021 National Science and Technology Week with the theme, ‘’Agham at Teknolohiya: Tugon sa Hamon ng Panahon’’ that will, once again, happen virtually due to the restrictions brought by COVID-19.

True to its mandate, the DOST continues to serve by bringing science, technology, and innovation to our doorsteps with the virtual staging of the 2021 NSTW. Be first to know what are the latest developments in the science community and visit the NSTW website at http://nstw.dost.gov.ph/ for more information. You can also check and follow the NSTW Facebook page at https://web.facebook.com/nstwdost.