Peace is more than the absence of conflict — it’s the presence of real opportunities for healthy, productive, and dignified lives.
On September 22, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology SOCCSKSARGEN (DOST XII) made this vision real during the Service Caravan in Maasim, Sarangani Province. Held at the Municipal Gymnasium and organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) through the MNLF Peace Process Office, the event marked National Peace Consciousness Month and the 30th Anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
Through the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office – Sarangani and General Santos City (PSTO-SarGen), the agency brought practical food technologies developed by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) directly to the people:
Iron-Fortified Rice – fighting iron deficiency and anemia
Enhanced Nutribun – nutritious bread packed with local vegetables
Brown Rice Nutty Fruity Bar – a ready-to-eat snack with brown rice, nuts, seeds, dried fruits & honey
Nutricocookies – delicious, nutrient-rich cookies
A total of 602 MNLF beneficiaries availed of these technologies, showing how science can improve everyday nutrition and well-being.
The event also spotlighted the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program — a pathway for organized MNLF communities to access technologies, capacity-building, and technical assistance tailored to their needs.
In Maasim alone, two organized ex-combatant groups are already thriving under CEST:
One group is advancing smart aquaculture through African catfish fingerling production, another is building a community-based enterprise producing footwear, bags, and clothing using modern technologies
These former combatants are now using Science and Technology not only to create sustainable livelihoods but also to uplift their entire communities — proving that S&T can transform conflict-affected areas into productive, peaceful, self-reliant, and resilient ones.
OPAPRU recognized DOST XII’s strong partnership by awarding a Plaque of Appreciation to Regional Director Dr. Sammy P. Malawan, RABE, represented by Supervising SRS For. Nabil A. Hadji Yassin.
From conflict to livelihood… from limited opportunities to productive enterprises… from dependence to empowerment. DOST XII continues to prove that Science, Technology, and Innovation are powerful partners in peace and development.
Through CEST and its ongoing collaboration with OPAPRU, DOST XII remains committed to making S&T accessible and relevant, turning local potential into lasting opportunities for sustainable, empowered, and resilient communities.