PUVeP News

PICE conducts “Ecosan for Engineers” Seminar

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) in cooperation with Xavier University’s Engineering Resource Center and the Ecosan Training & Research Center for Southeast Asia & the Pacific conducted the seminar “Ecosan for Engineers” on June 19, 2008 at the Pearlmont Inn in Cagayan de Oro City. The meeting was attended by almost 80 participants coming from various government agencies like DPWH, PAG-IBIG, NHA, City Health Office, COWD, PPA, OCW, LGUs, as well as the academe, private consultants and constructors.

After the welcome remarks given by Dr. Mario B. Sumalinog, President, PICE Misamis Oriental - Cagayan de Oro Chapter, Eng. Jonas E. L. Maronilla , country representative of BORDA-BNS , presented case studies on sustainable sanitation practices implemented in the Philippines such as the decentralized waste water treatment systems for the public market in Dumaguete and the slaughterhouse of the Bureau of Animal Industry in Valenzuela which also includes a biogas facility.

Dr. Robert J. Holmer, PUVeP Director, gave an overview of the ecosan philosophy with special emphasis on the pilot projects implemented in Cagayan de Oro and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Dr. Gina S. Itchon, Research Director of the XU School of Medicine presented the relationship of health to sanitation. According to her the fact that diarrhea, a preventable disease, is still a major killer of Filipinos in the 21st century, highlights the urgent need of appropriate, multi-disciplinary solutions for the water and sanitation sector. Horacio S. Factura III, presently an intern of GTZ’s Water and Sanitation Program gave an overview of different ecosan technologies as well as guidelines for implementation and reuse of treated ecosan products, while Ms. Jeannette M. E. Tramhel, a graduate student of the Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, underlined the importance of integrating ecosan into urban planning and environmental design for livable and sustainable cities.

The open forum resulted in a lively discussion and it was agreed that an integrated, cross-sectoral approach is needed to address the present unacceptable sanitary situation of the country. It was further suggested to conduct another seminar on the topic for a wider audience that will also include developers and policy-makers.

The event ended with the awarding of certificates to the sponsors as well as the resource speakers by Eng. Alma P. Eufinado, Dean XU College of Engineering and Dr. Mario B. Sumalinog. Special thanks went to Eng. Dexter S. Lo , Coordinator, Engineering Resource Center, XU College of Engineering, for initiating this event.

More Info:

Merlyn G. Bangoy

Chapter Secretary, PICE Misamis Oriental – Cagayan de Oro

c/o DPWH – CDO District Office, Puntod

9000 Cagayan de Oro City

E-mail: pice_misorcdo@yahoo.com.ph

Dexter S. Lo

Coordinator, XU Engineering Resource Center

College of Engineering

Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan

Corrales Avenue, Poblacion

9000 Cagayan de Oro City

E-mail: d.lo@xu.edu.ph

Back 23.06.2008.