“Building the capacity of the community to achieve social and economic prosperity,” shows Project Calatagan’s vision for the community.
Barangay Quilitisan, Calatagan, Batangas is FEU Community Extension Service’s (CES) partner community. Here, FEU-CES implemented a capacity building program that aims to drive economic and agricultural sustainability, natural resources management, ecotourism, and various health-related, socio-political, and psycho-educational development programs.
As this year comes to an end, let us have a recap on some of Project Calatagan’s programs in the community.
One of the active programs of Project Calatagan this year is the training on mushroom chicharon. CES visited Angel Tolits Integrated Farm in Angat, Bulacan where the administrator, Engr. Angelito De Guzman, and his team welcomed the office for a free training on mushroom chicharon production. It is the aim of CES to impart this skill to the Quilitisan Cooperative to allow them to produce a product for their alternative source of income.
Another is the Roots and Chips program wherein Chef John Lester Tuason of the Hotel and Restaurant Management Department taught the Quilitisan Cooperative members how to produce camote chips. This will provide the Quilitisan Cooperative a source of income and expand opportunities for them.
The latest and launching program is the homemade soap of Project Calatagan. This is led by Jim Cruz, a registered chemist from the FEU IHSN Medical Technology Department, for the women in Calatagan’s possible source of income.
Additional Project Calatagan activities are aquaculture proposal preparations, donation of PPE for barangay frontliners and barangay health workers, Quilitisan Cooperative Assistance Program, Cooperative Establishment and Cooperative Operations Management, Quilitisan Daycare improvement, water quality assessment, health awareness seminar and stool analysis for waterborne pathogens, tour guide training, and pasalubong making and food preservation training.
Project Calatagan is a testament of FEU’s initiative in contributing to the economic growth and well-being of the locals in Barangay Quilitisan. These continuous micro efforts will achieve macro effects that are beneficial for the community and the nation as well.
