The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will put up a solid waste management facility in Taft, Eastern Samar as part of the environmental conservation in the province.

The coastal village of Mantang in Taft town will be the pilot in the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility aimed at transforming waste into valuable resources.

“This facility will leverage advanced technologies to address the environmental challenges posed by waste accumulation in coastal areas,” John Glenn Ocaña, officer-in-charge of the DOST regional office here, said in an interview on Friday.

The facility will be equipped with advanced machinery to process various types of waste. Key equipment includes a charcoal briquetting machine, a coir decorticator, and a bio-composter that produces organic fertilizer from biodegradable waste.

These technologies will promote sustainable agriculture and provide a sustainable fuel alternative, Ocaña said.

The project is in partnership with House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, a native of Taft, a 4th class town.

Previously, Libanan said the project would be a model for Eastern Samar.

He vowed to push for the establishments of same facilities especially in coastal communities with tourist destinations.

“The project primarily aims to enhance the facility’s operational efficiency through advanced waste processing technologies, provide technical consultancy for effective equipment utilization and maintenance, generate employment opportunities for local residents, and conduct organized cleanup drives along beaches and coastal areas to enhance environmental health and support eco-tourism initiatives,” Ocaña said. (PNA)