DOST to launch Higatangan CEST project

The Department of Science and Technology Biliran Provincial Science and Technology Center will launch the Potable Water Purification project in Higatangan Island on March 4, 2021.

The project is funded by DOST-8's local Grant in Aid (GIA) under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology Program with the municipal government of Naval and the Biliran Province State University as partner agencies. Barangay Mabini through its Brgy. Chairperson Ms. Rosalie Arevalo supervised the implementation of the project assisted by the school head of the FM Limpiado Memorial National High School where the facility is located. The school's Parents Teachers Association were identified as the direct beneficiaries of the said endeavor.

The identification of the potable water purification project as a CEST intervention by DOST to the Higatangan community was an offshoot of the Community Life Competence Process (CLCP) conducted by the DOST-8 and BiPSU team in 2017. The community representatives identified availability of potable water as one of their priority dreams. Higatangan Island residents take their potable water needs from the mainland Biliran due to unavailability of safe drinking water in the island. The completion of the project therefore will be of great help to the entire community of the island.

The DOST provided funds for the procurement of the water purification equipment while LGU Naval provided funds for the completion of the building, which was initially built by the FMLMNHS, that housed the equipment. BiPSU helped in the identification and testing the sustainability of the water source for the water project.

Top officials of the DOST-Biliran PSTC and the DOST Regional Office in Palo headed by Director Ernesto M. Granada will be gracing the said launching ceremony. Likewise BiPSU president Dr. Victor Canezo is expected to be there also to show their support. The Municipal Mayor Gerard Roger Espina and the Honorable Governor Rogelio J. Espina are also expected to join the team.

The said activity is also lined up as one of the major event for the celebration of the Women's Month under the DOST-8 calendar. The project having managed by socially responsive women officials of barangay and the school  show the role of empowered women in the Eastern Visayas.