Iloilo invests PHP16.4M in rainwater harvesting facilities

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=978471
• Friday, April 7, 2017

(PNA), PR

ILOILO CITY, April 7 (PNA) -- The provincial government here will embark on a massive construction of rainwater harvesting facilities in water constraint villages here this year to avoid wastage of rainwater.

The PHP16.4 million project involves the construction of 25 rainwater harvesting systems in special areas and 42 ferrocement tanks in public schools, according to the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO).

The rainwater harvesting systems will be placed near the evacuation sites of Tubungan, Miagao, Lambunao, Calinog, Ajuy, Dumangas, San Miguel, Banate, Alimodian, Badiangan, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan and Carles.

PENRO will also give priority to the evacuation centers of Dueñas, Janiuay, Leganes, Pavia, Passi City, Pototan, San Enrique, Zarraga, Tigbuan, Oton, San Rafael and New Lucena.

The ferrocement tanks, on the other hand, will be built in 29 public elementary and secondary schools located in mountainous areas and near the coastline where access to water remains difficult.

Each tank has the capacity to store 4,000 liters of rainwater which can be used to maintain the cleanliness of the school’s restrooms, classrooms, hand washing areas, and even their gardens.

In Ilog-Ilog Elementary School in Miagao, the recently completed ferrocement tank is serving not only the teachers and pupils but as well as the households near the school.

“This project benefits the pupils the most because they will no longer get water from the river,” wrote Head Teacher III Arlem Aranza in her thank you letter to Governor Arthur Defensor Sr.

The same project in San Rafael National High School in Miagao is making major improvement in the way the students and faculty members use and conserve water, according to Head Teacher 1 Nora Frigillano.