Metro Iloilo Bulk Water, Metro Pacific Iloilo Water donate Sustainable Rainwater Harvester to school in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo

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ILOILO – Metro Iloilo Bulk Water (MIB) and Metro Pacific Iloilo Water (MPIW) turned over a sustainable Rainwater Harvester project to the Balabag-Jibao-an Elementary School in Sta. Barbara Iloilo on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

The Balabag Jibao-an Elementary School received the Rainwater Harvester which consists of water equivalent to 600 liters. The school was the sixth recipient of Rainwater Harvester in Sta. Barbara Iloilo.

Present in turn-over ceremony were Barangay Officials of Balabag and Jibo-an Sta. Barbara Parent-Teacher Association President Mr. Bryan Mecha and Teacher-in-Charge Ms. Ma. Elaine Camacho.

According to MIB’s FPM Manager, Engr. Ariel Huyong, this project bagged several CSR awards like Anvil, Quill, Stevie Awards by Empowering Iloilo Youth through Rainwater Harvester program, which raised awareness on water conservation and proper handwashing by upcycling the drums that can serve as a water catchment unit.

“We just need to know the importance of proper water conservation and collection 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.

Additionally, “This project will have great impact towards education, health and environment,” said MIB’s HR and Sustainability Manager, Sheena Marie R. Antonio

“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)” she added.

According to Atty. Ellyn Joy Tabocolde-Fernandez, in this situation where we are facing problems due to shortage of water, it is our duty to save water is becoming a huge problem nowadays. This Rainwater Harvester project will be a big help with climate change, WE MUST BRING CHANGE.

MIB and MPIW is a joint venture corporation of Metro Pacific Water and the Metro Iloilo Water District.

MIB supplies bulk water to MIWD and MPIW distribute water to communities, the water utilities that provides Ilonggos of their basic need. ­As a contributor to the economic growth, MIB and MPIW are committed to working hand in hand with Iloilo Local Government Units to deliver better services.

In partnership with MPIW & MIWD, the Rainwater Harvester is a corporate social responsibility project of MIB led by MIB’s HR & Sustainability 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 (MIB) shoulders the entire cost of facilities, the installation, major 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 & MPIW will fully support all public elementary schools in the City and Province of 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’s HR & Sustainability Manager Sheena Marie Relano-Antonio.

With this initiative, MIB & MPIW hope 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!”