Philippines

Waterworks group holds Int’l confab in Oro

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By Riain Alfonso

TO CONTRIBUTE to the sustainability of water supply and provide information to the community on water conservation had been the top agenda of the Philippine Water Works Association (PWWA) during its 23rd International Conference and Exhibition held in a hotel here from October 21 until 24.

“This is a yearly conference and held for the purpose of gaining information,” said Ladelle Sagrado, manager of the PR Division of Cagayan de Oro Water District (COWD).

Sagrado added saying, “It gives us the power to share our inputs on how we will be able to individually contribute to the sustainability of our water supply and provide information to the community on how they can help in conserving our water.”

With more than 40 participating exhibitors, and more than 600 participants from the various water districts in the country including international representatives, the conference was a platform for water industry leaders to share best their practices.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, PWWA president Engr. Roger Borja, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District), and Miss Cagayan de Oro Charina Barro graced the opening ceremonies on Wednesday, October 21.

Participating exhibitors and guests were welcomed by Atty. Kent Gaabucan while the inspirational message of Andres Ibarra, Administrator of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), was delivered by Ed de Mayo, LWUA’s Senior Deputy Administrator.

“The event is a gathering of all those involved in the water industry, not necessarily just water districts but also all other water providers and suppliers, and municipal waterworks,” Sagrado said.

Topics discussed during the four-day event revolved around water safety plan, regulation, water and wastewater treatment, and new product technologies.

These also included Advanced Solutions for Sustainable Water Management in the City delivered by Dr. Jacques Manem, PhD, the Director for Operations of SUEZ South East Asia; Need for New Regulation on Water by Dr. Sevillo David, the Executive Director of the National Water Resources Board; Overview of Advanced Process Technologies for Drinking Water Treatment by Arnold Gmunder, managing director and COO of WABAG Water Technologies, Ltd. – Switzerland; Wastewater Treatment for Small Communities: Spanish Experience by German Piedrabuena, Senior Water and Wastewater Specialist of EPTISA; and, Anaerobic Co-Digestion Treatment Plant given by Shoichiro Yamamoto, the Philippine Branch Representative and Chief Designer of JFE Engineering Corporation.

“The focus is the interrelationship between water, energy, and food. Diba, connected man silang tulo?” Sagrado added, “Water, being a finite resource, everyone has to do his or her part to be able to help in the sustainability of our water supply and in ensuring the safety and potability of our water gikan pa sa production to distribution.”

The goal is to guarantee the prevention of water-borne diseases. “We have to make sure that the water we produce is safe and potable for public consumption.”

“We also encourage the community kung unsa pud lugar ang ilahang ma-contribute para masustain pud atong supply. So, diha mo come in ang water conservation, ang wise use of water,” Sagrado furthered.

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