DOST Secretary Montejo visits citronella project in Biliran

The humble speaking Honorable Secretary Mario G. Montejo of the Department of Science and Technology cited the adoption of hydro-steam extractor technology for extraction of citronella oil from a grass locally called as "samuyao" or citronella (Cymbopogon nardus var. confertiflorus) as a success story of village level technology application.

The Secretary was in Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran on January 17, 2011 for a short visit to the Citronella Oil Extraction project supported by DOST's SETUP Program.

(In Photo: L-R: Mr. Dignos-DOST Biliran Provincial Director, Mr. Jesus Doyon BEOMP owner, DOST Undersecretary Carol M. Yorobe, DOST 8 ARD for Tech Operations, Ernesto M. Granada, DOST 8 Regional Director Engr. Edgardo Esperancilla, and Hon Mario G. Montejo, DOST Secretary)

The Secretary is appreciative of how a simple technology was able to harness local raw materials into something of economic value that in turn created livelihood and job opportunity for the local people as well as an added income to the adaptor. DOST, through the Industrial Technology Development Institute assisted the Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing Philippines (BEOMP) in designing the extractor. Engr Jesus Villamil, the company's consultant received technical suggestions from Engr. Mil Valdecañas of ITDI during the design and fabrication of the hydro-steam extractor.

The company has fully refunded the SETUP assistance of DOST for the acquisition of the extractor in 2010. This year BEOMP is aiming for further upgrading by replacing the old extractor with a new one to be funded again by SETUP.