BALER, Aurora (PIA) -- Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has allocated P2.4 million to fund a research project of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) on Barringtonia asiatica, locally known as Boton.

These are mangrove species discovered in the coastal areas of Aurora that were found to be a natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis and stomach pain. It can also be a biopesticide for invasive pests in the rice fields.

DOST Aurora Science Research Specialist Arian Espiritu said the agency’s Grants-In-Aid (GIA) Program intends to support different science and technology groups such as ASCOT on the innovation and commercialization of organic products.

ASCOT will utilize the fund to buy processing equipment such as mechanical dehydrator, rotary vacuum evaporator, chipper, pulverizer, Soxhlet extraction equipment, and solar power system.

Research project leader Ma. Luz Cabatan expressed her gratitude to DOST for supporting the state college’s initiative.

“Aside from being a natural medicine and remedy, native trees make excellent windbreakers during typhoons thus it is important to preserve and cultivate them,” she emphasized.

A total of 64 projects in Aurora have been funded under the GIA Program since 2010. About 21 of these are still in the process of being implemented while around 43 have already been finished. (CLJD/MAT-PIA 3)