ILOILO City – Metro Iloilo Bulk Water (MIB) turned over its sustainable Rainwater Harvester project to the Donato M. Pison Memorial School in San Rafael Mandurriao on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019.
The Donato M. Pison Sr. Memorial School received the rainwater harvester consisting water equivalent to 600 liters. The school was the first recipient of rainwater harvester in Iloilo City.
The turn-over rite and hand-washing activity was graced by MIB chief operating officer Engr. Rolixto V. Jodieres Jr. and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD) board of director chairwoman Dr. Jessica Salas.
Also present at the ceremony were barangay officials, Parent-Teacher Association president Juliet T. Sayo and officer in charge school Principal Jovel Lastimoso
“This project will have great impact towards education, health and environment,” said MIB chief operating officer Engr. Rolixto V. Jodieres Jr.
Jodieres added that inculcating proper hand washing methods to students helps family members get sick less often and miss less work or school.
“We just need to know the importance of proper conserving and collecting through rainwater harvester that can serve as additional water storage tanks for spells of water scarcity and can reduce flood due to climate change,” he further said.
According to the MIB top official, the project is also an opportunity to develop communal network that creates positive implication and builds unique culture, as well as to clarify confusions between MIB, National Waterworks and Sewerage System (NAWASA) and Metro Iloilo Water District (MIWD).
MIB is a joint venture corporation of Metro Pacific Water and the Metro Iloilo Water District.
MIB supplies bulk water to MIWD, the water utility that provides Ilonggos of their basic need. As a contributor to the economic growth, MIB is committed to working hand in hand with Iloilo local government units to deliver better services.
In partnership with MIWD, the Rainwater Harvester is a corporate social responsibility project of MIB led by MIB Human Resources manager Sheena Marie Relano-Antonio and Facilities and Plant Maintenance manager Engr. Ariel Jampayas Huyong.
The project aims to provide a sustainable rainwater collection facility to public elementary schools, within MIWD’s franchise area, with inadequate water resources.
The Metro Iloilo Bulk Water shoulders the entire cost of facilities, the installation, repair, and regular maintenance.
The project is a direct response to Department of Education (DepEd) Department Order number 10 series of 2016 or the Policy and Guidelines for the Comprehensive Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WinS) Program.
“MIB will fully supports all public elementary school in city of Iloilo and province of Iloilo that are within the franchise area of MIWD to comply and implement the WinS Program of DepEd, seeking to champion sustainability and educate children the importance of water by properly conserving and collecting the vital resource through a rainwater harvester” said MIB HR Manager Sheena Marie Relano-Antonio.
With the initiative, MIB hopes to develop good partnership with local institutions and build good rapport with the public sector. The corporation can help all public elementary schools in the city and province of Iloilo to comply with the WinS Program of DepEd.
MIB says: “Let us collect and save water through Rainwater Harvester!”/PN
