by the University Research and Innovation Center
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is currently implementing a special program titled Niche Centers on Research and Development in the Regions (NICER) aimed at accelerating Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as a strategy in national and regional development.
Through the DOST-NICER Program, Saint Louis University, in collaboration with the LGU of Tublay specifically in Barangay Ambongdolan, will provide technical support and assistance to develop and install cable supported structures and system intended for irrigation and transportation of agricultural products to foster the needs of farmers, assess existing cable-supported infrastructure and mapping of the identified pilot sites, design and fabricate an enhanced cable-supported water and transport infrastructure and install and conduct actual performance testing of the deployed cable-supported infrastructure.
In light of this, the Memorandum of Agreement was signed as a legally binding contract to implement the proposed irrigation pipeline for Batwag, Ambongdolan, and Tublay, which features a pilot automated water distribution system and is supported by cable.
As stated in the official website, the NICER Program aims to address the disparity in access to R&D funding among the regions. With the support of the program, qualified Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the regions can conduct quality research to promote regional development using their existing resources and capabilities. Regional Development Councils (RDCs) must endorse NICER proposals that are unique, collaborative projects among HEIs, and must ensure socioeconomic impact on regional economies.
This collaboration is in line with SDG Goals 1 (No Poverty), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals). Further, the MOA’s ideals foster the CICM advocacy of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation, CICM Indigenous Peoples Apostolate, as well as the CEAP JEEPGY value of Ecological Integration.
