PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) MIMAROPA has completed various projects and programs for Palawan, according to Regional Director Ma. Josefina P. Abilay in the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on March 25.
Abilay said these projects were completed from 2022 to 2024.
She said one of the projects completed in Palawan is the Water Purification Project, which benefited about 300 households in the town of Dumaran. They now enjoy access to purified water. Before, residents of said municipality fetched water from deep wells which they purified using makeshift filters.
Also, on August 18, 2023, DOST-MIMAROPA inaugurated the first iodized salt processing plant in Dumaran. The project has given salt farmers the opportunity to switch to modern technology in producing salt from the traditional method of sun-evaporation.
Under the agency’s Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program, five mini ice plants have been built in the region, one of which is the first solar-powered ice plant built in the island municipality of Cagayancillo in October 2023. This project significantly improved ice accessibility for local fisheries to preserve their catch and reduced post-harvest losses.
DOST-MIMAROPA likewise distributed 490 boats to fishermen in Northern Palawan under its Science and Technology intervention to aid the recovery of fishing livelihood in Typhoon Odette-affected communities.
In 2022, boats were distributed to 68 fishermen in Roxas, 68 in San Vicente, 75 in Dumaran, 67 in Taytay and 152 in Araceli.
According to Abilay these boats were funded by P35.1 million from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
From the Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) Program of DOST-MIMAROPA, the notable grassroots innovations in Palawan include the wine and vinegar from Kasoy, Mango-Cider Vinegar, and Patis from the local fish called “Tigi.”
Meanwhile, up to 105 Palawenyo benefited from the DOST Scholarship Program from 2022-2024. (OCJ/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
