THE MARIANO Marcos State University rolled out a livelihood program for returning residents of Ilocos Norte who were affected by the pandemic.

The school said that 20 individuals benefited from its Development and Deployment of Agri-Fishery Enterprise Models/Modules for Balik-Probinsiya Program. The beneficiaries are from the towns of Adams, Bacarra, Badoc, Currimao, Marcos, Piddig, Sarrat, Solsona, and the City of Batac.

“Accompanied by their respective municipal/city agriculturists and agricultural technologists, the beneficiaries were oriented on the package of technology of their chosen venture and signed a memorandum of agreement at the University Function Hall last June 22,” MMSU said.

“Of the 20 beneficiaries, eight received the customized food cart with processing kits and startup ingredients; six were given goats and forages; and another six obtained native chickens with feeds,” it added.

University President Shirley Agrupis encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the program and to contribute to their communities.

MMSU’s Vice President for research, extension, and business Dr. Carmelo Esteban said the university and its partner-local government units are “making science with a heart work for the people.”