The Department of the Science and Technology (DOST) has extended support to Biliran’s Manmanuas tribe to increase their agricultural productivity through its Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology (CEST) program.

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said DOST-VIII has provided assistance to the Manmanuas not only to boost their agricultural productivity, but also to “showcase what science and technology can do in preserving their culture and practices.”

“The DOST-VIII provided a screen house for intensive vegetable production of the Mamanwa group and local people, a component project of the utilization of compost derived from Dual Drum Composting facility which was established at the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist in Calumpang, Naval, Biliran,” he said in a report.

The indigenous people of Manmanuas also known as the Mamanwa tribe are originally from Surigao. The tribe travelled and settled in Almeria, Biliran that lies on the foot of the majestic Mt. Tres Marias, between 1990 to 1995, de la Peña noted.

"The Mamanwas are engaged in indigenous agriculture practices and matte weaving. These are their main source of income,” he said.

“Their current settlement is 12 kilometers away from the municipal proper on an altitude of 800 meters above sea level."

CEST program seeks to strengthen communities through the five-entry points: health and nutrition, water and sanitation, livelihood and enterprise development, education and literacy, and disaster risk reduction and management.