From left to right: DOST-6 Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga, DOST Secretary Renato U Solidum Jr., Pahanocoy Barangay Captain Yolanda Noble, Negros Occidental Provincial Science and Technology Director Engr. Allan Francis Daraug, DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho A. Mabborang, and RU Foundry and Machine Shop Corporation Founder Don Ramon Uy Sr, during the unveiling of the upgraded pottery kiln facility in Barangay Pahanocoy, Bacolod City on October 27, 2025. (Photo from Xyrus Ivan de Gracia, DOST-STII)

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has formally unveiled the upgraded pottery kiln facility granted to a community in Bacolod City that aims to enhance the livelihood of local potters while helping address environmental issues caused by traditional pottery methods.

The provision of this upgraded pottery kiln facility to Barangay Pahanocoy will help address air pollution, health risks, and poor visibility along the national highway, with residents, including artisans themselves, making repeated complaints. This will allow local potters to continue making pots without worrying about interruptions caused by environmental or health concerns.

The project, implemented through DOST’s Grants-in-Aid program, was made possible in partnership with the Barangay Pahanocoy local government as the implementing agency, the City Government of Bacolod as the cooperating agency, and the beneficiaries—the Katilingban sang Mininihon sang Pahanocoy (KAMIPA), a community of potters, currently consisting of 29 members, who have been practicing traditional pottery for decades.

The facility features a 2-cubic-meter gas-type kiln, with storage capacity of up to 130 pots, depending on the size. It replaces the traditional open-fire pottery method, which previously caused heavy smoke and air pollution in the area. The facility is fabricated by RU Foundry and Machine Corporation.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng kiln na ‘to sa amin dito sa Barangay Pahanocoy kasi naranasan namin na zero visibility yung daan namin dahil sa usok,” Pahaconoy punong Barangay Yolanda Noble shared. “Sa ngayon, nag-try na kami nito at maraming salamat sa DOST, kay sir Ramon Uy na natulungan yung pottery makers namin dito. Dahil dito, mayn plano pa kami na i-level up yung production ng pots dito sa Barangay Pahanocoy. Maraming salamat po, sir,” she added.

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., also praised the innovation and potential of the project, saying the quality of the pots [using the upgraded kiln facility] is good. He further suggests using the facility to also produce bricks for fishponds and salt ponds.

Solidum also emphasized that the DOST only provided PHP 2,972,916 worth of pottery kiln facilities, but the establishment of the covered facility that will house the industry came from the local government unit of the Pahanocoy.

DOST Undersecretary for Regional Operations Engr. Sancho Mabborang added that the kiln is LPG-fired so it produces clean pots.

Meanwhile, DOST 6 Regional Director and DOST Negros Island Region Officer-in-Charge Rowen Gelonga also explained the advantages of the upgraded pottery kiln and how it differs from the traditional open-fire technique.

“Ideally, you can operate three times a day, three firings a day ‘to for eight hours—four hours for firing, four hours for cooling. Once it’s cooled down, you can cook another set of pots. You can maximize this [kiln] by having three firings a day,” he explained.

“Yung dati nilang technique hanggang 300°C to 400°C lang, hindi pa naaabot ng pots yung tinatawag na calcination point na namo-modify yung structure ng clay... Pag naabot mo yon, quality talaga siya. Yung advantage nito [ng kiln] dahil more than 1000°C siya, they can produce other better-quality products, depending on the materials we can source,” Dir. Rowen Gelonga mentioned.

The upgrading of the Terracotta Pottery Industry in Barangay Pahanocoy was held alongside the Handa Pilipinas Visayas Leg at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City, gathering national and local officials, technology partners, and community beneficiaries.

The newly upgraded kiln not only improves the quality and consistency of pottery products but also minimizes air pollution and health hazards from traditional open-firing techniques. This initiative supports DOST’s goal of empowering communities through science, technology, and innovation while preserving local craftsmanship.

With this project, the potters of Barangay Pahanocoy are now equipped to enhance their productivity, protect their environment, and keep their rich cultural heritage alive for future generations.

The technical funding assistance through the Grants-in-Aid program of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is one of the agency’s many initiatives 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 Abigael S. Omaña, DOST-STII)