Recycling wins it for Negros school

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
5:16 am | Sunday, December 11th, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—For teaching an entire community how to dispose of its garbage properly and more responsibly, a Negros Occidental school topped this year’s National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools, elementary level.

Iliranan Elementary School in San Carlos City bested some 45 regional winners from across the country in the second year of the competition.

The Camarines Sur National High School and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas were first in the high school and college categories, respectively.

The annual search for the most eco-friendly schools is conducted by the Departments of Education and Environment and Natural Resources, Commission on Higher Education and Smart Communications.

“What set us apart from other schools is that we are reaching out to the community and (are regularly monitoring and evaluating the program) to achieve our project’s goals and to guarantee its sustainability,” said Iliranan head teacher Jessie Batosin in a statement.

Iliranan initiated earlier this year a solid waste management system that extended beyond its campus.

Partnering with village leaders, the school helped community residents change their habit of dumping their garbage in open pits or burning the trash.

The school taught and led the community in practicing waste segregation and recycling.  Teachers and village coordinators also worked together to monitor how households managed their trash.

“A household that practices open burning and open dumping is given a chance to change its ways within a three-month period. After three months (without any) sign of behavior change, the council invokes the solid waste management ordinance and the no-garbage collection policy is strictly enforced,” Batosin said.

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Korea Water to introduce floating solar power in Phl

By Donnabelle L. Gatdula (The Philippine Star) Updated December 10, 2011 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-Water) is investing about $60 million to introduce the floating solar power system (FSPS) in the Philippines.

Jiheun Yun, K-Water representative in the Philippines, told reporters that they plan to start with a maximum of 10 megawatts (MW) of FSPS in Angat Dam.

He said the company will conduct a feasibility study early next year, to be completed within six months, to prepare for the construction of the FSPS which normally takes six months.

K-Water introduced FSPS installed in a water reservoir in South Korea last year. The same technology has been in use in Europe and the US for the past 10 years.

“This is the first time that FSPS will be constructed within a water reservoir. In Europe and the US, where there are similar projects, are being installed in ocean and/or river,” he said.

The technology involves setting up solar panels in a reservoir that not only produces a higher power output but also creates an ideal environment for fish spawning since it constrains green algae.

K-Water, Yun said, is replicating the technology overseas after fine-tuning it in Korea.
He said K-Water decided to put the FSPS in a water reservoir as this will complement their existing businesses.

“We will study if we can put it in Angat and in other dams - San Roque, Casecnan or CBK,” he said.

The K-Water official assured that based on their experience in Korea, putting a power plant in a reservoir will have no environmental impact on the water facility.

“The technology has been proven to be safe,”Yun said, when asked if the facility will not contaminate the water reservoir as this is a main source of the country’s drinking water.

As the initial phase’s capacity is small, Yun said they plan to sell the power to be generated from the FSPS to private companies.

The investment in FSPS, he said, forms part of the $1 billion K-Water intends to invest in the power sector in the next three years.

The state-run K-Water is engaged in the construction, operation and management of multi-purpose dams and multi-regional/local water supply systems.

Founded in1967, K-Water contributed to the growth of the Korean economy and the improvement of the public welfare by implementing water resources development projects and managing these resources.

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