CSU thru CRAFT FORGES MoA with DOST Caraga and LGU Partner

The Caraga State University’s Center for Renewable Energy, Automation, and Fabrication Technologies (CRAFT) was created in response to the need of the local community for technological innovation. CRAFT has worked on a research entitled “RS Program on Producing Alternative Clean Energy and Power in Partnerships with LGU in Caraga” last 2021. It was funded by CSU local funds for research. Its aim was to develop series of research components diversifying clean energy resources.

One of the research components of this program generated an extension project for 2022 entitled "Development of Smart Pico-Hydro System for Generation of Electricity" that focuses on the research to produce and harvest energy through water run-off along rivers and canals.

To advance this extension project, on May 16, 2022, at the Barangay Hall of Taligaman, Butuan City, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been forged between Caraga State University (CSU) through CRAFT, Department of Science and Technology-Caraga (DOST-Caraga), and Barangay Taligaman (BLGU-Taligaman) for the Smart Pico Hydro Extension Project. CSU was represented by Vice President for Executive Operations and Auxiliary Services, Dr. Luisito Tabada; DOST-Caraga by its Regional Director Engr. Noel M. Ajoc and Brgy. Captain Elegia F. Intino for the BLGU Taligaman.

The MoA signing was witnessed by the CSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, Dr. Rowena P. Varela; CSU-CRAFT Director, Dr. Alexander T. Demetillo; DOST Agusan del Norte Provincial Science and Technology Director Meriam B. Bouquia; CSU-CEGS Extension Coordinator, Engr. Gerome Amper; Department of Electronics Engineering Chairperson, Engr. Lovely Mae Dagsa; Smart Pico-Hydro Project Leader, Engr. Re-Ann Cristine O. Calimpusan; Engr. Manolito Tapangan, DOST Staff and Barangay Council Members of Taligaman.

The Center for Renewable Energy, Automation, and Fabrication Technologies (CRAFT), in collaboration with the Department of Electronics Engineering (DECE), spearheaded the implementation of the Pico Hydro Systems project and the rest of the six (6) project components under the research titled “RS Program on Producing Alternative Clean Energy and Power in Partnerships with LGU in Caraga”. DOST-Caraga pledge to support the continuation, enhancement, and scaling up of the project, while BLGU Taligaman undertakes the maintenance and to fully maximize the Pico hydro system's energy harvest.

The said MoA are among the four (1 out of 4) MoAs between CSU and DOST Caraga for the RS Program on Producing Alternative Clean Energy and Power in Partnerships with LGU in Caraga. The other three (3) were:

1. “Design and Implementation of Floating Solar Power System in Lake Mainit, Jabonga, Agusan Del Norte”;
2. “Design and Implementation of Community Solar-powered Battery Charging Stations” for the fishing community of Beltran Jabonga, Agusan del Norte; and
3. “Design and Optimization of Off-grid Solar PV Systems for an Indigenous Peoples (IP) Community in Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte”

 This collaborative engagement will establish a mutually beneficial linkage with the local agencies, local government units, and institutions for collaborative works in research, innovation, and extension for sustainable and inclusive development of the community. CRAFT/Pico