The Department of Health (DOH) – MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) initiated the Ceramic Water Filter Pot Production Project in Barangay Poctoy in Torijos, Marinduque to provide households with safe drinking water.
“This project will ensure access to potable drinking water in island areas of the province where the source of water has contaminants such as microorganisms which can cause the spread of water-borne diseases and high salt content due to the adjacent sea,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo stated.
“The effectiveness of this water purification system which included micro-filtration-filters is a proven technique to take out such contaminants has already been tested and proven effective in resettlement areas of the country,” he further emphasized.
Another objective of the ceramic water filter project is to establish production centers in provinces where households have no access to safe drinking water. Marinduque, according to the DOST thru the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI), like some identified provinces in CAR, Regions1-3, 5, 8, 10 and 12, had been found as potential area due to the content of its clay soil which is suitable for the manufacture of the filter.
The Ceramic Water Filter Pot is formulated with red clay and coated with nano-antimicrobial agent to eliminate water borne microorganisms; it purifies tap water, deep well water and raw water; it is lodged in a plastic container provided with a faucet at the bottom for collection of the filtered water.
Marinduque residents’ patronage to the 27 registered water refilling stations indicated their concern and awareness on the quality and safety of drinking water even with its expensive cost.
The production cost of a single unit of the technology is cheaper to purchase at a cost of P350.00/year than commercial mineral water with consumption cost of P5,400.00/year. The filter can last up to one year before it can be replaced.
The beneficiary of the project is the Marinduque Barangay Health Workers Federation in Partnership with Gabisan Pottery. DOH-MIMAROPA provided a budget of P300,000.00, DOST-MIMAROPA allocated P60,000.00 and the BHW Federation allotted P40,000.00.
“Not only that this system will address the need for potable water in far flung areas of the region it will also serve as emergency water system during disasters”, Janairo added.
The project is now at its initial phase and once all the standards are met, mass production will begin. This will also help boost the local pottery industry and will create more opportunity for work to residents of Marinduque”, he assured.