by Leilanie Adriano/PNA
Several public elementary schools in Burgos, Ilocos Norte have now their own rainwater harvesting tanks courtesy of the Energy Development Corporation, which hosts the largest wind power farm located in this town.
EDC’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program head Deborah Melchor said Monday that they are “happy to see pupils enjoying the rainwater harvesting system”, which provides them with adequate source of water for toilet flushing and for washing their hands and feet while in school.
“For 2019, we have already installed rainwater harvesting tanks in the public elementary schools of Nagsurot, Tanap, Agaga, Bliss, Ablan, Bobon, Bayog, Paayas and Burgos Central Elementary School including a day care center in Bayog,” Melchor said in an interview.
Melchor said some schools in drought-stricken province of Ilocos Norte experience water scarcity hence, the need to install low-cost water, sanitation and hygiene facilities – especially in time for summer.
Using a simple technology, she explained that water is filtered through a facility that removes sediments like iron, harmful bacteria, and odor that may be detrimental to the consumer’s health.
Through its CSR program, the Burgos wind farm has embarked on addressing water and sanitation issues in Burgos town, starting with three pilot areas in Barangays Paayas, Bobon, and Bayog over the past two years.
As part of its water and sanitation project, Melchor said EDC has also established waste water treatment facility, which simulates the natural filter process.
Filtered water can be reused for domestic purposes, she explained.
Melchor said the low-cost waste water treatment facility is connected to an existing hand washing facility and placed in an area visible to the students.
She pointed that the facility can serve as an educational material on how water is being filtered naturally in the environment while teaching students about the importance of recycling waste water.
Melchor hopes to replicate this initiative in other schools as a way of promoting water conservation and sanitation for a healthier community.
