A barangay in the Municipality of Damulog, Bukidnon considered geographically isolated and disadvantaged is set to receive 160 ceramic water filters under a program of the Department of Science and Technology called Project AQWAH or “Advancement on the Quality of Water Available for Household use through establishment of Water Reservoir Tank built-in with Ceramic Water Filter.”

According to DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña, the program will benefit 2,500 residents of Barangay Sampagar. The ceramic water filters will be distributed to households in Sampagar and neighboring sitios.

“Currently, the only water source of Barangay Sampagar is a spring that have recently been found out to exceed the maximum allowable level of HPC (Heterotrophic Plate Count), phosphate concentration, TSS (Total Suspended Solids), total coliform, and E. coli as set by the Department of Health (DOH) in the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. Three species of bacteria in the study site were also found. This led to the conclusion that it has been causing the leading health concerns in the area,” de la Peña said.

Project AQWAH is made possible through the agency’s Community Empowerment for Science and Technology (CEST) program.

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