Holy Name University (HNU) HNU will launch On February 12, the Water Assessment, Testing, Education and Research Support Services (WATERSS) project, a new undertaking that will definitely have a significant effect on the lives of the Boholanos. To grace the launching and blessing ceremonies for WATERSS are HNU President Fr. Ernesto Lagura, Governor Erico Aumentado, and representatives from AusAID and PACAP. Participation of government agencies, non-government organizations and the presence of the project proponents from HNU, deans and administrators is also expected. The launching will commence at 5 in the afternoon and will be followed by interactions of the invited guests with cocktail. With a P3-million grant from the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), through its a Philippine-Australia Community Assistance Program (PACAP), and a counterpart of more than P5 million pesos from HNU as the main proponent of the project, the project will provide the most comprehensive water quality testing in Bohol .

It will also be at the forefront of Water Resource Management endeavors in the province. Implemented under FOCAS 4 (Water and Sanitation) component of PACAP, WATERSS is aims to establish and operate an accredited and registered water testing laboratory, develop a management information system for efficient dissemination of information, provide awareness-building activities for active participation of informed public in water quality management and monitoring, develop linkages towards consultative and cooperation functions for resource pooling and policy advocacy.

This is in consonance with the Bohol Medium-Term Development Plan (2004-2009) and the Bohol Agriculture Master Plan (2006-2026) where protection, rehabilitation and conservation of water resources have been identified as priority program as it directly influences the attainment of economic, social and infrastructure development goals and set to contribute to the eradication of poverty in Bohol. The project was conceptualized by a pool of faculty members from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering , College of Commerce and College of Computer Science of HNU in consultation with partner institutions in the provincial government, the national government agencies and non-government organizations.

HNU targets the water testing laboratory to be fully operational by April this year.

The operations of the laboratory will be under the supervision of Engr, Juliet Espiritu, chair of the Math and Natural Sciences Department in close partnership with the Center for Research and Local Governance (CRLG) under the leadership of Fr. Romeo Bancale, SVD, director of the CRLG and VP for Academic Affairs. Assisting the implementation of the activities of the project are the members of the WATERSS Technical Working Team composed of CRLG Research Associate Josephine Cemine, College of Commerce and Accountancy Dean Dr. Jemma Jay, College of Computer Science Dean Amie Rosarie Caballo, Engr. Juliet Espiritu of CAS, Engr. Grethel Mende of COE, Victoria Millanar of CAS, Marecela Diloy of CAS, Mariejoe Narca of COCS, Maria Paz Espiritu of CRLG, Florita Dote of CBA, and Christian Anuta of CRLG.