NAVAL, Biliran -- The Department of Science and Technology - Regional Office No. VIII (DOST-8) released this month the financial support for the establishment of Technology-based Facility for Processing of Cacao to the Provincial Government of Biliran through the Office of the Provincial Agricultural Services (OPAS) in Naval, Biliran.

The DOST-8 local Grant-in-Aid (GIA) fund amounting to P412,000 is a counterpart of DOST for the procurement of fermenter equipment and drier intended for the production of good quality cacao beans.

The project will be implemented though the leadership of Gov. Rogelio J. Espina and managed by OPAS through Provincial Agriculturist Julia T. Sandiford and her staff Noel Falguera as project coordinator.

The project is aimed to transfer technology in producing good quality cacao beans as raw materials for production of good quality chocolates. This will benefit the local farmers, tablea and chocolate producers, and other chocolate lovers.

Related to this, the DOST Biliran joined the Cacao and Coffee Industry Cluster Value Chain Analysis conducted by DTI Biliran for Biliran Province last March 31, 2022 with the aim of determining priority programs, projects, and activities to improve the cacao and coffee industry in the province. (DOST Biliran)