COMMUNITY
FEATURE
BAUKO, Mountain Province
-- Old and new, traditional and modern — these pair of words contradict each
other but just as east meets west, one barangay in Bauko has found a way to
bring culture and science together to benefit communities.
Looking back
at tradition, pottery in Bila, Bauko traces way back before the Spanish came
looking for the Igorot gold.
“Bila is one
of the early villages in the Cordillera that the Spanish recorded and pottery
was already an economic activity,” said Bauko Tourism Officer Arsenia Addon.
Through the
barter system, pottery products from Bila have reached the lowlands in exchange
of tobacco and salt.
Addon added
the pots originally used as “pananuman” (water storage) and “panengdengan” (for
cooking), are in some ways, a reflection of the way of life of the
Kankanaey in Bila during the olden times.
Responding to
modern-day challenges
Climate
change, water shortage, and various health concerns – these are some realities
of the modern world that the innovation inspired by the traditional pottery of
Bila addresses.
Engr. Namar
Gawaban of the Municipal Planning Development Office explained that waterborne
diseases are among the top morbidities in the municipality.
Tests done in
the 22 barangays of Bauko showed “water sources already contain coliform and is
positive of E. coli bacteria,” Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer
Jake Oyang-o said.
The presence
of E.coli bacteria in the town’s water sources poses risks especially on the
health of residents.
Recognizing
the issue, the Bauko local government and Dept. of Science and Technology
(DOST) came up with the ceramic water filter in 2013.
Minirva
Songaben of DOST Mountain Province said the project was in line with DOST’s
thrust on water sanitation, one of the five entry points of science and
technology.
Having been
tested before, Bila’s clay passed the requirements for the Ceramic Water Filter
technology patented by the Industrial Development Institution of DOST.
The ceramic
water filtration system is made up of six parts – the cover, ceramic water
filter, upper bucket, plastic hook, and the lower bucket.
Tap water is
first put into the upper bucket. The water then trickles down and passes
through the ceramic water filter which is infused with Nanosilver.
Nanosilveris
an antibacterial technology that kills microorganisms making the
water safe for drinking.
With a
capacity of two liters and filtration rate at two liters per hour, the ceramic
water filter is easy to carry especially for those who work in gardens and
farms.
The portable
ceramic water filter is also useful during emergencies.
“This is very
good for LGUs during disasters because our community will have potable water to
drink,” Oyang-o recommended.
Towards
healthier and wealthier communities
Not only
bringing healthier options for the community, the Ceramic Water Filter
technology also provides livelihood for the locals.
“Uray
haan kami mapan nga agbirok ti trabaho mi iti sabali nga ili ket adda met ditoy
Bila mismo,” said Maribeth Popoten who is an employee of the ceramic water
filter project.
A fourth
class municipality, Bauko sees great potential in the project which is
receiving orders not only around the region but from other parts of the country
as well.
Oyang-o said
DOST has recently purchased and distributed 990 pieces of ceramic water filter
for their Empowering Communities Through Science and Technology Program in
Paracelis, Mountain Province.
With orders
in the pipeline, the municipality hopes for the sustainability of the ceramic
water filter which helps create healthier and wealthier communities.
(JDP/JJM-PIA CAR)
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