DOST eyes wood waste as water filtration material during emergencies

From the DOST public archive. Original source publication date: 2026-08-26. Captured 2026-09-04. Read the original DOST source.

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The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is exploring how discarded wood waste could help communities access safer water, especially during disasters and emergencies.

The DOST–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) and Sorsogon State University (SorSU) are partnering for Project PAGPAWI, a technology that upcycles industrial wood wastes such as sawdust and wood chips into water filtration materials.

Being developed by DOST-FPRDI, PAGPAWI is a portable, gravity-driven, multi-stage filtration system for emergency use. It is designed around a simple idea: make use of materials already available from wood processing and explore whether they can serve a new purpose in addressing a critical need.

“Science and technology must ultimately stand with people in their most vulnerable moments,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. “By testing these technologies in actual conditions, we can build solutions that are more responsive to the realities of Filipino communities, especially during emergencies and disasters.”

PAGPAWI is studying treated sawdust as an adsorbent for sediments and trace metals that may cause health concerns when ingested. It is also exploring nanocellulose extracted from wood chips as a filter material for biological contaminants such as E. coli.

Under the project, the water filter will also undergo performance testing, feasibility trials, cost analysis, and life-cycle analysis.

According to Project Leader Engr. John Kenneth A. Cruz, the value of this technology goes beyond convenience. “In communities affected by typhoons, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters, having a portable filtration system can provide a layer of support when regular water sources become inaccessible.”

The partnership between DOST-FPRDI and SorSU was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on 29 July 2026. Under the agreement, SorSU will help assess PAGPAWI’s filtration performance. By collecting and testing water samples from Sorsogon, researchers can examine how the filtration system performs, as water quality and environmental conditions can differ from one location to another.

Aside from SorSU, DOST-FPRDI also inked an agreement with the Municipality of Los Banos, Laguna, and the Laguna Water District.

“The findings can help identify where the system performs best, reveal limitations that may emerge during use, and guide improvements needed before the technology can be deployed for wider application,” said Cruz.

For DOST-FPRDI Director Dr. Rico J. Cabangon, this field-based approach is essential to develop technologies that serve real community needs.

“Emergency response technologies must be anchored on the people and their actual needs,” Cabangon said. “Our partnership with SorSU allows us to ground our research in the very communities where these technologies are intended to make an impact.”

Addressing industrial wastes

The project also addresses another issue that is often less visible: the growing amount of waste generated by industrial activity.

Sawdust and wood chips are by-products of wood processing. Instead of discarding these materials, PAGPAWI explores how they can be converted into higher-value products with potential social and environmental benefits.

This circular approach makes the project more significant as it connects wood waste management to clean water access— a solution worth pursuing for disaster-prone communities.

The project reflects DOST-FPRDI’s commitment in developing technologies that can translate research into practical solutions. By working with universities, government agencies, local enterprises, and communities, the Institute can bring together scientific expertise and real-world experience to refine technologies such as PAGPAWI.

“The work ahead is straightforward but important: test the technology, learn from actual conditions, improve what needs to be improved, and ensure it can deliver the kind of practical, reliable water filtration that communities can depend on”, ended Cabangon.

The Forest Products Research and Development Institute is one of the attached agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Maria Greatchin S. Brucal, DOST-FPRDI)

   Water sample collection for baseline analysis and filtration tests.

       Bags of wood chips and sawdust supplied by a wood pallet manufacturer

DOST-FPRDI and Sorsogon State University (SorSU) officials sign the Memorandum of Agreement for the assessment of Project PAGPAWI. Seated from left are PAGPAWI Project Leader Engr. John Kenneth A. Cruz, DOST-FPRDI Director Dr. Rico J. Cabangon, SorSU President Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, and SorSU Director for Research and Development Engr. Ivy Rose B. Gonzales.