Seated ( L-R) are barangay heads Edwin Fiel, Jessielito Arreja, and Celso Bughao, DOST's Mayan Inni, Chancellor Lyre Murao, Michael Gatela, Minerva Rosel, and Zenaida Calatrava

Three barangays in remote sites in Davao City will receive portable water systems and portable science laboratories, following an agreement between the University of the Philippines Mindanao and the Department of Science and Technology–Region XI.

UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao signed the agreement with Mayan Jane Inni, DOST-XI assistant regional director for R&D for Development and Innovation, representing Regional Director Anthony Sales, in ceremonies held in Seda Hotel, Davao City, on September 9, 2024.

The SAFEWTRS system

Barangays Malabog and Lumiad in Paquibato district and Bantol in Marilog are set to receive the SAFEWTRS Emergency Disinfection System for Drinking Water and the VISSER Versatile Instrumentation System for Science Education and Research with funding from the DOST-XI.

The VISSER science experiment kit and developer Prof. Giovanni Tapang

SAFEWTRS is a solar-powered, manually controlled, compact water treatment system that can produce up to 2,000 liters of potable water in nine hours. VISSER is a science kit developed at UP Diliman that allows students to conduct science experiments in biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Barangay chairpersons Jessielito Areja of Malabog and Celso Bughao, Sr. of Lumiad, both in Paquibato district, and Edwin Fiel of Bantol, Marilog, signed as witnesses to the agreement and will serve as project leaders in their respective barangays.

Mr. Michael Gatela, UP Mindanao's director for Ugnayan ng Pahinungod, the university's volunteer program, and Asst Prof. Minerva Rosel, director of UP Mindanao's Office of Extension and Community Service, and Chief Accountant Zenaida Calatrava, were present to help implement the procurement and deployment of the systems in collaboration with the barangays.

"We are glad to partner with UP Mindanao, with whom we share the same interest in implementing science and technology interventions and community development projects," said ARD Inni. "Under the National S&T Plan, DOST's Smart and Sustainable Communities Program's Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) and Grassroots Innovation for Inclusive Development (GRIND) aims to deliver appropriate S&T interventions and provide the necessary support to transform grassroots communities, especially in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas or GIDA in Davao City," she said.

"These technologies we speak of will solidify the education foundation of the learners," said Pahinungod director Gatela. "It is our hope that when we reach learners in these areas, they can compete on their own terms and earn a UP education, with no Filipino child left behind," he said.

"I'm a scientist at heart and I advocate seeing these projects being deployed to communities," said Chancellor Murao. "UP is here in Mindanao to enrich knowledge and develop technologies for use in our communities. UP Mindanao has a long relationship with DOST in public service, and now we are partnering with DOST and the LGU for technologies that can be used to develop smart and resilient communities," she said.

"We are very happy to be included in these DOST programs," said Barangay Lumiad chairperson Celso Bughao in Filipino. "In our area, we have just recently recovered from the insurgency we experienced for almost five decades," he said. "When we met the DOST units back then with the military, they extended training seminars. Since then, they have not let go, and for this we are grateful," he said.

The agreement aligns with UP's thrust for partnerships for public service in Mindanao and affirmative action for academic excellence. It likewise aligns with the sustainable development goals of Good Health and Well-being and Quality Education.