DOST boosts geotextile production in Cagayan Valley

Monday 7th of May 2012

SANCHEZ MIRA, Cagayan, May 7 (PIA) -- This coastal munipality may soon become the center of geotextile products once the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will commercialize its production through the Cagayan State University here.

Director Urdujah Tejada, Regional Director of the DOST, said a memorandum of agreement has been inked by the agency and CSU to push the development of geotextile techonology in Northern Philippines.

Geotextile is a by-product from coconut husks known as "coconet." The fibers from the coconut are decorticated then woven into nets. Very absorbent and environment friendly, these then are used as support nets to control soil erosion, particularly along landslide prone areas like inclined portions along hilly or mountainous areas and even along creeks to prevent soil erosion.

Earlier, the DOST- Cagayan Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO) conducted coconet training for the faculty and students of the said university, which can serve as an income-generating source for the school and the students.

“The product is now being used by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in their soil erosion projects in identified areas in Cagayan,” Tess Tabaog, PSTO-Cagayan Director said.

Tejada disclosed that initial talks on the utilization of coconet from Cagayan by DPWH in the entire country has been made but have not arrived on a final action plan as of press time.

She said the agency is set to likewise train the coconut farmers for coconet production. (TCB/BSY/TT-PIA 2)