DOST-7 introduces 'eco-efficient water infra'
By Minerva BC. Newman
CEBU CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST-7) in Central Visayas introduces its eco-efficient water infrastructure project that has been incorporated in its regional office building at EcoTech, Lahug, Cebu City.
According to DOST-7 Energy Audit Team member Engr. Juan Edgar Osorio, this is called the Integrated Storm Water Management (ISWM) project that he presented in one of the PQPM-Learning sessions held recently at the DOST-7 conference hall.
Osorio explained that the major component of the ISWM includes the rainwater collection facility that collects rainwater from the roof of their building and storm water from the porous surface of the road.
Osorio added that there is also the primary rainwater treatment that removes contaminants or pollutants from the water collected by the former to avoid the cause of acute health effects.
He said after rain water is treated, the micro-membrane filtration system will reduce the microbial and particulate pollutants that may cause pipe corrosion and degradation, which eventually leads to increasing incidents of pipe breaks and failure.
The last process of purifying the collected rain water is through the reuse water treatment system. This process uses advanced biological treatment that eliminates nitrogen compound.
“Increasing nitrogen concentrations may incline the production of plankton leading to algal blooms,” Osorio said.
This rainwater facility is controlled by a wireless monitoring device called the integrated rainwater administration system, Osorio further explained.
Excess water too within the building is diverted through the rainwater drainage system to avoid overflows and emergencies. The water can still be collected for reuse.
"Plants and crops are watered through the ISWM system," Osorio said.
The ISWM project is in cooperation with the Water Security Section of the Economic and Social Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the DOST-7 with the Korean Institute for Construction Technology (KICT) and with the Erede, a private Korean company.
DOST-7 regional director Rene Burt Llanto and Engr. Juan Edgar Osorio presented the ISWM project of DOST-7 at the "3rd Regional Workshop on Eco-efficient Water Infrastructure in Asia" at Bangkok, Thailand which was ponsored by UN-ESCAP and KICT. (mbcn/hfg/PIA-RO7 & Mayette Baring/CNU
============
Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries lead ‘Brigada Eskwela’ in CV
By Minerva BC. Newman
CEBU CITY, May 28 (PIA) -- Principals and teachers in the various elementary schools in Central Visayas expressed their gratitude to the beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for leading the Brigada Eskwela activities in the region for five straight days from May 21-25.
DepEd Focal of Basak Community School in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, Socorro Banal, proudly presented the beneficiaries’ plan for a vegetable garden and the many ways on how to clean and beautify the school.
“The ideas from the beneficiaries are endless and so are their energy and efforts as they make true their commitment to help out in the Brigada Eskwela for five straight days. We couldn’t have done it without their support,” Banal said.
The principal of Cansojong Elementary School in Talisay City, Josephine Rabaya noted the more than 50% increase of parents that participated in the Brigada Eskwela this year.
Such appreciation can be heard from principals and teachers all over Central Visayas as they saw how the Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries actively help in the Brigada Eskwela starting from the parade to officially open the activity to cleaning, clearing, repainting and repairing of classrooms, chairs, school grounds, cabinets, books, and other activities.
‘Brigada Eskwela’ is a yearly activity that the Department of Education (DepEd) spearheads. It encourages all sectors in the community to understand the importance of ‘bayanihan’ in ensuring a better venue of education for their children, Banal added.
According to the DepEd, the activity has now evolved into a family volunteering activity as mothers sweep & weed the grounds side by side with their daughters.
It shows the pupils the importance of cleanliness and community participation as they see their fathers help in painting and repairing chairs and roofs with their sons, building a life’s bond in a day’s work, Banal smiled.
“Kada tuig man ni namu gibuhat pero lahi gyud karong tuiga kay ni doble gyud ang mga tao, maski mga bana nanabang. Hasta gud ang dili benepisyaryo makakita sa kadasig sa pamilya ma-aghat nalang pud ug lahutay ug limpyo wala nay nag-ikyas ikyas,” said Elesia Sariento, 41 from Barangay Linao, Talisay City.
(Every year we are doing this but this year is different because there seems to be double in participants even the husbands are helping. The non-beneficiaries were also encouraged to work through at the end of the day, nobody tried to get out and escape volunteering)
Sariento, a mother of six children said, she has noted the increase in participation rate of parents in the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ over the years.
Brenda Cabusas, from Barangay Lawaan and a mother of three children ages 7, 5 and 1 also said her family was looking forward to this year’s ‘Brigada Eskwela.’
“Before the end of last school year, the PTA met and an active exchange of ideas and strategies were done and the Pantawid beneficiaries insisted that enrolment be conducted after rendering a ‘brigada’ duty, Cabusas said.
Cabusas shared that the ‘Brigada Eskwela’ was a way of giving our children the message that we give importance to education and to show them the value of participating in community activities as one family.
Cansojong Elementary School’s Principal, Josephine Rabaya said, it turned out that this year’s ‘Brigada Eskwela’ has probably contributed to the increase in enrollment this year.
“Whereas last June 2011, our grade 1 enrolment closed at 300, but for this year 300 was the figure of enrolment as of March and that figure has been rising for the last two months,” Rabaya added.
The beneficiaries volunteering as a family for this year’s ‘Brigada Eskwel’a has greatly helped DepEd in preparing for the increase number of students due to the Pantawid Pamilya’s call for enrolment and 85% attendance in school.
“A promising picture of literacy for the next generation,” Rabaya concluded. (mbcn/PIA-RO7 with reports from Aileen Lariba/DSWD-7)