VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – To help address the shortage of potable water in Barangay Nagbettedan in Santo Domingo, Ilocos Sur, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will soon deploy its Upgraded Emergency Disinfection System (UPEDS) to the community.
Developed by the DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), the UPEDS is a semi-continuous type, portable, and ready-to-use water treatment facility.
It aims to address the shortage of potable drinking water within communities, especially in times of disaster as it has an integrated solar panel that provides a reliable and uninterruptible power supply, according to the DOST.
On February 21, the DOST Provincial Science and Technology Office, together with the DOST-ITDI team, conducted an onsite assessment at the said barangay preparing them for the upcoming deployment.
Engr. Jordan Abad, Provincial Science and Technology Director, said barangay Nagbettedan shall be the first recipient of UPEDS in the region.
“Daytoy ti kaunaan a pag-installantayo ti UPEDS ditoy Region 1. Daytoy a project ket makatulong iti tiempo ti bagyo no awan ti pagalaan iti nalinis a danum ken tapno maiwasan ti water-borne diseases. Mabalin pay daytoy nga income generating project ti barangay (Once deployed, this shall be the first UPEDS in Region 1. This project is helpful most especially at times of typhoons and/or disasters when there is not enough source of clean and potable water supply. This will also help lessen the chances of water-borne diseases in the community. Moreover, this can also be used as an income generating project of the barangay),” said Abad.
In an interview on Tuesday via phone patch, barangay captain Efren Pigao said it will be of great help for the residents as inadequate supply of water and potable drinking water has been their biggest problem.
Barangay Nagbettedan is divided into four zones with a total 201 households.
“Tubig talaga ang problema naming sa barangay lalo na ngayong tag-init, pakonti nang pakonti ang pinagmumulan ng tubig na ginagamit namin sa pang-araw-araw. Kaya naman malaking bagay kapag mangyari na itong proyekto ito, dagdag tulong sa amin,” he said.
UPEDS is funded under the DOST’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Program. (JCR/MJTAB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
