DOST Region VIII CEST empowering communities in Biliran Province

Governor Rogelio Espina and Direct Ernesto Granada during turn-over
of financial assistance

July 12, 2021. Naval, Biliran.  The hardworking Regional Director of DOST-8, Engr. Ernesto M. Granada personally visited Biliran Province today to meet the equally hardworking Governor of Biliran Province Hon Rogelio J. Espina to jointly hand down funding assistance to two economically challenged communities in the Province under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST). 

The turn-over ceremonies are witnessed by the faculty and staff of BiPSU Main campus and BiPSU Biliran campus together with the barangay Chairpersons from Higatangan, representative of LGU-Naval, the PIA Biliran, and the beneficiary groups’ representatives. Governor Espina was appreciative of how DOST was able to support the governments’ trust of helping the people most in need of assistance and lauded the efforts of DOST-8 management through DOST-Biliran PSTC to involve the LGU in planning and project implementation. Hon. Espina further stressed, he is very willing to support endeavors of the national agencies if needed. 

The first community in focus is the beautiful tourist island of Higatangan in Naval, Biliran comprising two barangays. A one million project fund was released to Biliran Province State University Main Campus, through Dr. Victor C. Cañezo Jr, the concurrent University President, to implement a CEST project with three components. The second community is the Villa Cornejo in Kawayan, Biliran which will be assisted by the BIPSU Biliran campus specializing in Agricultural technologies. DOST-CEST provided PhP200,000.00 to the BiPSU Biliran Campus who will assist the beneficiary group in Villa Cornejo which is the Mother Crucifix Caputo Academy with their agri-based livelihood projects. 

The Higatangan Island CEST project's component one is under the Environmental Protection and Conservation which involves the adoption of eco-friendly septic tank technology to showcase to local residents and resort operators a technology-based approach to cleaning their waste-waters to avoid the fate experienced by Boracay Island. Gov. Espina sponsored the construction of two units of communal CR, which will use Eco-Sep, in two separate locations in Higatangan Island accessible to tourists. 

 The second component of the Higatangan CEST Project is the adoption of off-grid solar generator for water purification. Earlier this year, DOST-8 and the LGU Naval headed by Mayor Gerard Roger Espina, also turned over to the community through the FM Limpiado Sr. National High School a water purification project funded under the DOST-8 local GIA. For many years, the island gets their potable water from Naval in the mainland Biliran. With the water purification system, the local residents can now obtain drinkable water through the facility. The problem however in the operation of the system is power. Higatangan island is served by Biliran Electric cooperative with a fuel-based generator supplying only on a limited time during the evening. Although the water purification system in FMLNHS is equipped with a fuel-based generator, the cost of fuel will add to the cost of water production. To address this concern, the project will acquire a solar generator to run the purification system. 

The third project component in Higatangan in related to Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (DRR-CCA). BiPSU will help the island develop a risk reduction plan and conduct aerial surveillance to assess vulnerability of the island for major risks such as flooding, and related disasters. The CEST project will acquire heavy duty drone to be used for monitoring and mapping activities. After the completion of the project, the said drone will be turned over to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to be used also for mapping and monitoring activities for DRR CCA of the entire province. 

Meanwhile, BiPSU Biliran will help the MCCA Women’s Association by providing a mechanized cultivator for better land preparation. The group is into production of various vegetable crops including turmeric and ginger. The MCCA was also assisted by DOST-8 through its local GIA in the establishment of Ginger and Turmeric production facility, the Sales of which products are used by the MCCA to fund the scholarship of the indigent students. Part of the CEST fund currently released will be used to enhance the turmeric facility by acquiring stainless working tables which are GMP and FS compliant. 

Finally the CEST project will also provide the STARBOOKs to the MCCA to be used by their students for science and technology information needs and ultimately envisioned to raise the students awareness on STI to encourage them to choose science and technology careers.