Phase II of citronella project in Biliran takes off

BEOMP consultant Engr. Jesus Villamil, inspects new distilling still

Another set of new citronella oil distilling equipment is about to be used by Biliran Essential Oil Manufacturing of Brgy. Bato, Biliran, Biliran Province after DOST provided the company the second phase of financial support for technology upgrading of its processing plant.

BEOM is the first success story of the SETUP program in Biliran province when it created income opportunity to the community through employment, improvement of its product quality, and increasing the production volume, on top of other economic parameters (see related article). Above all these indicators is the successful completion of the firm's refund of the financial support provided by DOST for the Phase I of equipment acquisition. DOST provided PhP 865,000.00 for the Phase II new equipment.

The equipment is ready for testing at the fabrication site in Kananga, Leyte who is supervised by BEOM consultant Engr. Jesus Villamil. "When tests will be completed the equipment will be transported to the plant site in Brgy. Bato for on-site testing and trial operation," Mr. Jesus Doyon Sr., BEOM propriator said. The new equipment is expected to replace the old distilling unit used by the firm when its operation started. The old unit had been inefficient due to frequent bug downs and repair. With the acquisition of the new unit, cost of maintenance will be reduced and production capacity of the plant will be optimized.

The new unit will now be working side by side with the distiller purchased during the phase I of the project