DOST to provide P3.87M tech interventions to San Luis residents

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is set to provide P3.87-million in science and technology solutions aimed at addressing key community needs of the coastal barangays in San Luis, Aurora.

The said interventions were assured after the DOST and the local government signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on 21 September 2026 for the project’s implementation under the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program.

DOST Aurora Science Research Specialist Regine Maines-Agumboy said the agency seeks to match science, technology, and innovation solutions with the needs of local communities in health, education, livelihood, environment, and disaster resilience.

Among the interventions is the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute SafeWatRS, a compact, mobile, and solar-powered water treatment system that can process rainwater, spring water, and turbid water into potable water.

The system can produce up to 2,000 liters of potable water within nine hours of operation, giving residents of Barangays Dibut, Dikapinisan, Dimanayat, and Dibayabay an alternative water source when storms or other hazards affect their regular supply.

For disaster preparedness, the project will establish a Central Command Station and Barangay Remote Stations equipped with a community siren system that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office can activate during emergencies.

The system will help relay warnings and emergency advisories to residents facing threats such as typhoons, storm surges, floods, landslides, and other hazards.

Meanwhile, the project will introduce a TeachAid Node to far-flung teachers and students, giving them access to offline and online learning resources in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.

The system will include curriculum-based digital materials, assessments, learning activities, and artificial intelligence-assisted feedback and tutoring tools to support students in their lessons.

Teachers can also use the system to monitor students’ learning progress and identify areas that need further support.

Agumboy said the interventions are expected to improve water security and disaster readiness while giving schools additional tools to support learning in the coastal communities.

She added that other municipalities in Aurora may also receive similar support as the CEST Program continues its yearly implementation in the province.

The CEST Program is DOST’s flagship initiative for bringing science, technology, and innovation interventions to vulnerable and economically challenged communities, with projects designed around their specific needs.

Under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the program continues to support inclusive and sustainable development by bringing science and technology-based solutions closer to communities.

Through the program, Aurora communities stand to gain access to technologies and services that can address local concerns while supporting education, livelihood, environmental protection, health, and disaster resilience.