On May 07, there was a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing between Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) and Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Toytoyan, Dipaculao, Aurora. The MOA signing was for the proposed Community Development Program.

According to the ASCOT Extension and Training Director, Sir Ricardo G. Gonzales Jr., Toytoyan was selected as the pilot area of the program because it met the following criteria: deprived, distance, and direly in-need community. The conceptualization of the program happened in January.

The Extension and Training Office hopes to have a participatory, integrated, holistic, and sustainable approach to the projects, programs, and services of ASCOT to the area. On February 11, a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was completed. The PRA’s goal is to determine what the community’s needs are. This was undertaken in collaboration with the local government. This is essential for the projects, programs, and services to be the right fit for the target community.

Following a thorough examination of the PRA, a five-year comprehensive community plan was drafted to meet the community’s needs. For the success of this initiative, all academic departments of ASCOT, provincial offices of DepEd, DPWH, DOST, CHED, DA, DOLE, BFAR, DENR, DSWD, DTI, LGU Dipaculao, and the Provincial Government of Aurora are cooperating.

On May 11, the Finalization of the Project was held. Several offices detailed their commitment to the program. As of this writing, the 5-year integrated community plan has yet to be finalized. There will be revisions and additions to the existing one due to the latest discussion.