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Aurora water confab focuses on science-based tech

Posted on July 16th By Aristotle P. Carandang S&T Media Service, STII

What used to be an isolated, sleepy province of Aurora is now a major tourist destination and a business growth area. More importantly, new technologies have become the drivers of these developments initiated by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, Senate Committee on Science and Technology chair.

On May 14-16, 2010, the province hosted ‘Water W.A.T.C.H.’ or Water Conference for the Wise Adaptation of Technologies for Clean H₂O at the scenic Bahia de Baler Garden Resort.

The water conference, with over a hundred participants, assembled major decision-makers and stakeholders from various offices and interest groups all over the country to discuss water and sanitation. Important aspects tackled were water supply and demand management, bottled water technologies, and alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting and membrane technologies. Leading the discussions were national leaders and representatives from various local government units, academic institutions, financial institutions, local and international experts, and non-governmental organizations. The conference aimed to acquaint the province of Aurora to the proper science and the most relevant technologies for exploring possibilities in water supply and water services investments.

Dr. Leonardo Q. Liongson, UP Institute of Civil Engineering professor, discussed “S&T Strategy for Water Supply and Sanitation,” emphasizing the importance of science-based solutions to water and related problems. Dr. Liongson pointed out the crucial role of reviewing and evaluating the management and use of groundwater and surface water resources for municipal, agricultural, and industrial supply to ensure long-term water sustainability and safe yields; to prevent salt water intrusion of aquifers, pollution of water resources, and land subsidence due to excessive groundwater pumping; and to distribut water equitably to users.

He also pitched the need to review and evaluate management practices of and programs for natural lakes, swamps, and other wetlands to conserve water, maintain biodiversity, and sustain community-based livelihood. The organizers – the Congressional Commission on Science & Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) which Angara and Rep. Joseph Emilio A. Abaya chair; Aurora Pacific Economic Zone; and Institute of Civil Engineering-UP College of Engineering – resolved to push for the attainment of sustainable water-related programs and infrastructures goals, anchored on the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs).

The COMSTE is mandated to review and assess the state of competitiveness of S&T and Engineering research and development systems in the country. The Commission is also tasked to provide an S&T strategy in the water sector, applying science-based approach in decision-making in the areas of technology identification, transfer, and even project implementation once investments come in.

Angara, a native of Aurora Province, and the local government of Aurora held the conference in the province to gather investments in water services into the province, organizers said. This is a move towards maximizing Aurora’s available water resources to provide water not only to Aurora but also to its adjacent provinces, including providing bottled water to consumers in Metro Manila.

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