SAN JOSE, Occidental Mindoro (PIA) — Barangay residents are thankful to the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) desalination system project in addressing the issue of diarrhea.
Barangay Captain Marlon Ramintas of Ansiray in San Jose town lauds the project as it helped them from diarrhea and even dehydration.
Prior to the project, the community are dependent on well water for drinking without realizing it was contaminated. As a result, many residents suffered from diarrhea and some even died from dehydration.
Following the outbreak, residents decided to assign someone to purchase drinking water from a refilling station in Poblacion. Since Ansiray is one of the 10 island barangays in Ilin, it requires a 30-minute boat trip to collect water and other necessities. This arrangement lasted for a while.
“Inilapit na namin ito noon sa national media at siguro naging daan ‘yon upang makita ng DOST ang kalagayan namin at matulungan kami,” Ramintas said.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, March 25, DOST MIMAROPA Regional Director Ma. Josefina P. Abilay announced that DOST MIMAROPA provided ₱60.7 million in assistance, benefiting 32 communities through the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program.
One of the program’s beneficiaries is Barangay Ansiray, which received ₱3.5 million worth of water desalination equipment, said Occidental Mindoro Provincial Science and Technology director Ethelwilda Coronacion.
The project, which began in 2022, became operational in 2024. The facility purifies seawater to produce safe drinking water, which locals describe as “clean and refreshing.”
Managed by the Ansiray Fishermen Association, the purified water is sold for ₱25 per 20-liter container, down from the previous price of ₱50, which included transportation costs.
The association’s members do not receive salaries for running the desalination system. Instead, the earnings cover maintenance and repairs.
“Inilalagay namin sa bangko ang kita ng aming water refilling station at ginagamit na pambili ng mga materyales o piyesa sakaling magka-aberya o masira,” Ramintas explained.
Meanwhile, Coronacion said that they continue to monitor the project and have observed how the association manages the facility.
Currently, nearby island barangays purchase drinking water from this refilling station.
“Talagang akma at tumutugon ang proyekto sa pangangailangan ng komunidad,” Coronacion said.
She added that the CEST program has also supported local livelihoods through science and technology. (VND/PIA MIMAROPA–Occidental Mindoro)
