DPWH installing rainwater collectors in Southern Leyte

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, May 19 (PNA) – Schools, public markets and other government facilities in Southern Leyte will get rainwater collection system from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to address water shortage concerns.

DPWH-Southern Leyte District Engineering Office (SLDEO) Chief Ma. Margarita C. Junia said the installation is now ongoing in 23 sites with a combined budget of Php 3.28 million.

“This is a big increase in terms of budget for rainwater collection. Our allocation before was only Php 500,000 every year, but now it’s more than Php 3 million,” Junia said.

Each facility, with a cost of Php 70,000, can store up to 1,200 liters of rainwater.

Recipient schools are in Cabooc, Hantag, Malapoc, Bagtican, Bogo, Lonoy, Canyu-om, and Combado in Maasin City; Rizal and Ichon in Macrohon town; Bunga, Sto. Rosario, and San Juan in Padre Burgos town; Libagon National High School and Libagon Elementary School in Libagon town.

Other sites are Padre Burgos public market, Pintuyan public market, Saint Bernard slaughter house, San Juan municipal jail, Hinunangan public market, Silago public market, and Silago public terminal.

The project is part of the Aquino administration’s climate change adaptation program. The rainwater collector system harvests, collects, and stores rainwater from the roof or from a groundwater catchment or multi-purpose pavement for use during dry season.

The types of rainwater collection systems constructed are reinforced concrete ground storage tank, reinforced steel ground storage tank, plastic container tank, and concrete storage tank.

The project is also part of the government’s efforts to promote water conservation to address the diminishing freshwater supply due to over extraction of groundwater, water pollution, inefficient water infrastructure, and climate change. (PNA)

RMA/SQM/DPWH-SOUTHERN LEYTE PR/EGR