United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Safe Water Project works in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology VI (DOST VI) Negros Occidental Provincial S&T Office (PSTO) to strengthen partnerships within the province particularly in the implementation of the Negros Occidental Water Security Plan 2023-2030.

In a meeting, Engr. Glady T. Reyes and Engr. Russel Renz Garcia from Negros Occidental PSTO presented the different programs and services of the agency that can help in the implementation of the project.

Initially, DOST VI was requested to provide technical consultancy on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for farmers’ groups located in watershed areas in the province and assist in transferring the charcoal briquetting technology developed by DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI). DOST VI shall also assist USAID to access important information available such as hydrometeorological data that can support the project.

Additionally, DOST’s Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) Program was also mentioned during the meeting as a potential area for convergence.

The Negros Occidental Water Security Plan which was approved by the Provincial Integrated Water Security Council (PIWSC) on September 2022 was spearheaded by USAID Safe Water Project in collaboration with the Negros Occidental Provincial Government.