In order to address the
non-potable water issue
of Brgy. Sta. Ines, Tanay,
Rizal, various agencies
cooperated to deploy the
Upgraded Emergency Disinfection System (UPEDS)
Technology to the said barangay last May 22, 2023.
Regional Director Emelita P. Bagsit and
Rizal Provincial Director
Fernando E. Ablaza of
the Department of Science and Technology
(DOST)-CALABARZON,
together with Deputy Director Zorayda V. Ang and
Engr. Reynaldo L. Esguerra of DOST-Industrial
Technology Development
Institute (ITDI), President
Dr. Nancy T. Pascual and
Dr. Marites M. Rio of University of Rizal System
(URS), signed a Mem
orandum of Agreement
(MOA) with the local government unit (LGU) of Tanay, led by Hon. Rafael A.
Tanjuatco, Hon. Rex Manuel C. Tanjuatco, and Hon.
Adrenico F. Zubiaga.
Mayor Tanjuatco
discussed the significance
of helping our katutubos
in Sitio Nayon, and how
LGU-Tanay continuously
supports having clean water, stream water, and toilet facilities for Brgy. Sta.
Ines as it is both residential area and a tourist spot
where Tanay’s highest
peaks, Mt. Pulog and Mt.
Irid, are located.
Meanwhile, Director Bagsit recalled the
past endeavor in the area
particularly the E-Nutribun
feeding program under
the Community Empowerment Thru Science and
Technology (CEST) activities in Tanay. She also
extended her gratitude to
project partners for their
willingness throughout the
years.
“After addressing the arsenic problem
in Agoncillo (Batangas),
we’re now addressing
Tanay’s microbiological
problem with the utilization of the UPEDS that is
mobile and solar-powered.
We can now easily monitor and maintain the quality of water that our beneficiaries will consume,”
Regional Dir. Bagsit said
as she ends her opening
message
On behalf of Dir.
Annabelle V. Briones, Deputy Dir. Ang of DOST-ITDI
reiterated that UPEDS is
not only a disinfection system, but also a safeguard
for food and the health of
the community. She also
expressed her gratitude
to the people involved for
making the project possible
Dr. Pascual, University President of URS,
extended her commitment
to the agreement as she
offered the URS’ laboratory services. These can be
utilized for monitoring and
maintaining the quality of
water system in Sitio Nayon.
Lastly, Brgy.
Capt. Zubiaga and Vice
Mayor Tanjuatco mentioned that LGU Tanay’s
strong collaboration with
DOST and URS serves
as proof to the potential
development of Tanay and
its residents’ education,
food security, and health
awareness.
UPEDS is a
semi-continuous type, portable, and ready-to-use
water treatment facility
that can treat 170 liters
of surface water per tank/
cycle. The system was
developed with the goal of
addressing the shortage
of potable water within
communities, especially in
times of disaster. This initiative is funded under the
DOST-CALABARZON’s
CEST Program.
Note to editors:
DOST-CALABARZON is
one of the regional offices
of the Department of Science and Technology and
is located at Jamboree
Road, Brgy. Timugan, Los
Baños, Laguna. For more
information, you may visit
us on Facebook at facebook.com/dostcalabarzon
or website www.region4a.
dost.gov.ph. You may also
reach us at parcu@ro4a.
dost.gov.ph
