DOST trains tribal artists in handicraft making
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 5 (PIA) -- About 30 Bukidnon Tribe Association members tried their hands at transforming driftwood into creative and functional art pieces in a technology training conducted by experts from the DOST- Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) at the Agrarian Reform Municipal Office in Barangay Kabulacan, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental.
The ethnic group was trained in handicraft-making by using natural materials, organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in cooperation with the local government unit (LGU) of Santa Catalina.
The residents become instant eco-entrepreneurs by trading the decorative art works, flower vases, and lamp shades made of driftwood, DOST director Gilbert Arbon said.
The experts oriented and assisted the participants on the proper creation of handicrafts using driftwood plentiful in the area, said Arbon.
The DOST official said the group was taught to design, clean, finish and coat the unfinished handicrafts until the products were finished and displayed in the showroom.
The extensive training included sideline works such as: technical repairs, brief orientation and installation of new power tools and pertinent materials.
The tribes now know how to manually operate the power tools with the help of experts from the Institute.
Dionisio Valor, the tribe chieftain, expressed his gratitude to the three forest experts for their invaluable time and efforts in behalf of the entire association. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7, Negros Oriental)
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New school building to be built at Guihulngan National High School
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 4 (PIA) -- The provincial government here led the construction of a one-unit, two-classroom school building at the Gihulngan National High School in Guihulngan City.
The school building is worth P1.4 million with the funds taken from the provincial government’s Special Education Fund, said Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo.
Governor Roel Degamo graced the groundbreaking ceremony which marked the 22nd anniversary of said school.
To date, there are 39 school buildings erected under Degamo's administration after he vowed to continue the school building program started by the late Gov. Emilio Macias II, said Sedillo.
A total of 150 classrooms were constructed in various public schools in the province during the time of the late governor.
Degamo said the provincial government's efforts in building classrooms in the province will augment and support the national government's bid to fill up the shortage of classrooms nationwide.
Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III in his July 2012 State of the Nation Address (SONA) promised to build the 66,800 classrooms needed to address the classroom shortage nationwide before next year ends. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)