Twelve (12) barangays in District 6, Quezon City received Low-Cost Modular Type Rainwater Collection System and ten (10) units of Ceramic Water Filter from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on September 26, 2016.
These innovations aim to promote water conservation and storage in the country for non-potable and potable purposes. Another objective of the rainwater collection system is to prepare communities for the effects of El Niño phenomenon in the country which is seen as immediate solution to the pressing national problems on water scarcity.
The reciepients were Barangay Sangandaan, Culiat, Tandang Sora, New Era, Baesa, Apolonio Samson, Balong Bato, Pasong Tamo, Sauyo, Talipapa, Unang Sigaw, Bagbag, and the Philippine National Police Quezon City District 6.
During the program, Sangandaan Barangay Captain Rolando B. Quitorio welcomed the guests and extended his gratitude, on behalf of the barangays, for choosing their District as recipient of the technologies.
Also in his message, Dr. Carlos Primo C. David, Executive Director (PCIEERD), encouraged science and technology research and development in the country and further emphasized on the utilization of S&T innovations to contribute in the improvement and advancement of our society. He offered other products funded by PCIEERD which may help the barangays during disasters like the Ready-to-Eat Arrozcaldo.
Dr. Basilia shows the audience the filter used for the Ceramic Water Filter during the demonstration.
Dr. Blessie A. Basilia, project leader and Head of Material Science Division of ITDI demonstrated the use of Ceramic Water Filter which is a portable device proven to eliminate contaminants. It uses ground and tap water then converts it to safe potable water for households.
Dr. Basilia pointed out the difference between the two water systems—water from Ceramic Water Filters are potable drinking water while low-cost modular type rainwater collection system can only be used for non-potable purposes such as washing clothes, cleaning, watering lawns and gardens, or flushing toilets. Rainwater in the district is still under study, thus, the agencies are discouraging the use of that water for drinking and direct contact with the skin.
For the Rainwater Collection System, Jonathan Co of Manly Plastics, Inc., explained how it is assembled and how it works. He emphasized the importance of science and technology and inspired the children to pursue S&T studies in the future.
Engr. Job Jacob A. Gonzales of the Environmental Protection and Waste Management Division (EPWMD) of Quezon City gave his gratitude to the agencies saying that they appreciate the innovations and expressed their interest in trying out other technologies funded by PCIEERD. Before the program ended, Hector B. Geronimo, President for Liga ng mga Kapitan ng Distrito 6, acknowledged the agencies for the deployed technologies and mentioned how it can change their situation during rainy season.
MOA signees and guests pose together between the Ceramic Water Filter (lower left) and modular-type Rainwater Collection System (rightmost).
Rainwater Collection System and Ceramic Water Filters were already distributed to other communities such as in Pampanga with the Aeta Community. Ceramic Water Filters, specifically, were already given to the National Housing Authority Households in Muntinlupa and Cagayan de Oro. The deployment of these innovations is continuing to the different regions of the country especially in places where there is lack of safe water resources. The program was conducted for the Memorandum of Agreement signing attended by the beneficiaries, the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) – funding agency, Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) – implementing agency, Manly Plastics, Inc. – cooperating agency, EPWMD, GSIS Village Elementary School, and guests from the barangays.
