The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office I (DOST-I), through the Provincial Science and Technology Center (PSTC) Pangasinan, conducted water sampling in Agno, Pangasinan as part of its development intervention to ensure safe drinking water for the residents. This is in line with the implementation of one of DOST’s flagship programs, the Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) held last 7 June 2022.

The water sampling collection has been identified as one of the interventions under Health and Nutrition component of CEST to ensure that the water being consumed is free from harmful bacteria. Barangay Boboy in Agno uses natural sources such as springs, shallow wells, and rainwater collection for water.

The DOST CEST staff collected a total of 18 water samples from households and water filters used in schools. The samples will undergo microbial analysis and potability test at the DOST-Regional Standards and Testing Laboratory (RSTL) amounting to Php 21,600 and 12 samples will undergo Fe Chem, which is a new parameter for CEST water sampling that costs Php 75,600. The result of the test will determine the kind of intervention that will be provided to the communities.

These conducted activities will certainly be impactful in the long-term as DOST-I, through its CEST program, will continue to provide sustainable assistance and interventions that would encourage the growth and development of the community. The DOST also extended it gratitude and appreciation to the Local Government Unit of Agno for their unending support to the implementation of CEST in the municipality. (By Monique C. Esguerra, DOST-I)