The Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) is positioning itself as a viable partner and pushes for stronger academe-industry-government linkages.
This is manifested in one of its projects in the recent signing of a collaborative research agreement with Subic Water and Sewerage Co. Inc. for the project “Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment of Effluent from a Water Provider.”
TIP and Subicwater formalized their partnership in a virtual conference led by TIP President Dr. Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz, Subicwater Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Antonio III, and Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara for Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The project—which aims to reduce the concentration of wastewater pollutants through an integrated wetland system—is funded by the DOST through its Collaborative Research and Development to Leverage Philippine Economy (Cradle) program, with the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) as the monitoring agency.
“Collaborative projects such as this provide the platform for students, faculty members and researchers to work with industry partners and government agencies, thus, making learning more relevant, meaningful and impactful. Learning by doing,” Quirino-Lahoz said.
For Subicwater, the partnership “could not have come at a more perfect time.”
Citing the 2018 Boracay wastewater crisis and the stricter standards set by DAO 2021-19 for water effluent, Antonio said this collaborative effort is an opportunity to create “one of the most practical and cost-efficient options that we can use to address growing issues in sewerage management in the Philippines.”
Guevara, meanwhile, noted that with increased economic activity comes the need to protect and rehabilitate the island.
“Tourism opportunities provide economic vibrance enjoyed by local industries, most notable are businesses lined up in waterways that take advantage of spectacular views. Through research and development, we’ll be able to strike a healthy balance between preserving the environment and providing much needed support to private industries,” she added.
TIP’s venture with Subicwater is the latest addition to the list of DOST Cradle-sponsored projects. It is spearheaded by TIP Manila’s Chemical Engineering Department Chairman Engr. Lorraine Carrillo and TechnoCoRe Catalyst Industry Relations and Senior Project Manager Dr. Therese May Alejandrino.
TechnoCoRe is TIP’s thrust toward technopreneurship and collaborative applied research. It empowers students, faculty members, and researchers to work on innovative solutions to the problems of stakeholders, including government, industry, civic organizations and society at large.
Image credits: TIP photo