Research Forum Highlights: Innovative Solutions for Clean Water and Flood Management Strategies
The sixth session of the August ASEAN Lecture Series, organized by the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE), is a research forum which brought together insightful discussions on critical environmental issues. The forum featured Ms. Jonalyn G. Ebron, Program Chair for the BS Computer Science program, and Ms. Banjie G. Sarmiento, Program Chair for BS Biology, as guest speakers, and Dr. Hermie V. Articona, Director of the Research Promotion and Coordination Office, as moderator for the event.
Tech for H2O: Innovative Solutions for Clean Water
Ms. Jonalyn G. Ebron opened the forum with a compelling presentation on her research titled “Tech for H2O: Innovative Solutions for Clean Water,” aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. She introduced “Project Lawa,” a groundbreaking initiative focused on the design and implementation of computational modeling and integrated mapping for water quality monitoring.
Project Lawa, developed in collaboration with students from the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS), is an innovative device that continuously monitors water quality. The device transmits real-time data to a custom-built website, allowing for remote monitoring of water conditions. Currently, three devices are operational in different bodies of water across Cabuyao, Laguna. The lecture emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance the project, particularly in developing an unsinkable version of the device.
The first speaker concluded the presentation with a compelling call to action, inspiring the audience to explore the potential of technology to solve global problems such as water scarcity and to support innovative initiatives like Project Lawa.
Typhoon Awareness and Flood Management: The Case of Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Bay, Laguna
The second expert in the forum, Ms. Banjie G. Sarmiento presented her research titled “Typhoon Awareness and Flood Management Measures: The Case of Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Bay, Philippines,” which supports SDG 13: Climate Action. Her study sought to identify correlations between typhoon awareness, mitigation, and resilience practices with the socio-economic profiles of residents in Barangay Santo Domingo, Bay, Laguna. The research also aimed to create a flood susceptibility map and identify evacuation sites,
while developing recommendations to improve typhoon awareness and reduce the impact of floods in the area.
The discussion provided an in-depth explanation of the methodology used to create the flood susceptibility map and identify potential evacuation zones. The research findings revealed that while there was no direct correlation between socio-economic profiles and typhoon awareness, there was a significant link between income levels and mitigation practices. Also, house ownership was significantly associated with resilience to typhoons.
In her recommendations, Ms. Sarmiento emphasized the importance of the strict implementation of RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the enhancement of both structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures. She also suggested identifying additional evacuation sites near Brgy. Santo Domingo, including the Bay Municipal Hall, to ensure the safety of the residents. She ended her lecture by urging everyone to act, referencing the Climate Change Act of 2009, which integrates disaster risk reduction measures into climate change adaptation plans and poverty reduction programs.
The second speaker concluded the presentation by emphasizing the urgent need to strictly implement RA 9003, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and enhance both structural and non-structural flood mitigation measures. In alignment with the Climate Change Act of 2009, the discussion urged everyone to take proactive steps to reduce disaster risks and address climate change challenges.
Bridging Research Gaps and Encouraging Student Involvement
To address potential research gaps, Dr. Hermie V. Articona provided insightful suggestions on how to bridge these gaps, stressing the importance of continuous research in finding solutions to environmental challenges. He encouraged students to actively engage in research, highlighting its critical role in driving innovation and progress.
The research forum highlighted the successful collaboration between various fields in addressing the pressing issues of clean water and climate change. It demonstrated the effectiveness of combining technology and scientific knowledge to develop innovative solutions. The forum emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives and skills in creating impactful solutions that can benefit people and communities worldwide.
