ISU SWIM joins in the Philippine Water Challenge
The Isabela State University’s Establishment of Smart Water Infrastructure Center Program joined in the Philippine Water Challenge – Year 2 Knowledge Exchange Event at Makati City on February 22, 2023 with the theme, “Smarter for Water – Innovations and Solutions to Water Scarcity.” This event aims to promote competition to potential innovators by holding a series of knowledge exchanges.
In this year’s knowledge exchange, the Philippine Water Challenge collaborates with the Embassy of Netherlands in the Philippines to highlight both Dutch and Philippine 3R innovations on water efficiency technologies. The event was graced by the Ambassador of the Netherlands Embassy in the Philippines, Ms. Marielle Geraedts, who delivered her welcome remarks; followed by the message of Mr. Ryder Rogers, the director of Environment Office, USAID Philippines. This was also attended by various government and private agencies; state colleges and universities (SUCs) like Isabela State University, Ateneo de Manila University, and De La Salle University; and several companies from the Netherlands (through Zoom platform). The ISU SWIM Program was represented by Dr. Jeoffrey Lloyd R. Bareng (University Director for Research and Development), Dr. Rafael J. Padre (Project Leader of SWIM Project 3) and Engr. Melanie A. Baguio (Project Staff, SWIM Project 3). The DOST – PCIEERD also graced the event represented by Engr. Carluz Bautista and Engr. Christian Alec Managa.
The knowledge exchange was divided into 3 sessions: Nurturing Local Innovators through Technology Business Incubators (TBIs), 3R Water Initiatives in the Philippine Water Sector and Dutch Water Sector Innovation Showcase. The SWIM Program was presented during the first session where in Engr. Melanie A. Baguio, SWIM Project 3 staff presented the background and status of the program where she highlighted the general output of the SWIM Project 3 and Project 4 for potential inclusion in this year’s Philippine Water Challenge. To further highlight the significance of TBIs, a short open forum was conducted where Dr. Jeoffrey Lloyd R. Bareng, coherently shared the importance of their innovation in SWIM Project 4.
This endeavor was a great venue where researchers, scientists and innovators exchanged ideas to promote solutions that reduce, recycle and reuse water to make the most of the water available in the Philippines.