DPWH told: Install rainwater collectors in public schools

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) field offices have been directed to immediately construct rainwater collection system (RCWS) in all public schools, with 547 RCW units worth P39.6-million targeted for installation this year.

The directive signed by DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson is pursuant to Republic Act 6716 or the Rainwater Collection and Spring Development Act and Executive Order 774 issued by President Benigno Aquino III, reorganizing the Presidential Task Force on Climate Change.

The DPWH, lead agency of a task group on rainwater conservation, already developed prototypes of a rainwater collector system that would harvest, collect and store rainwater from the roof or from a groundwater catchment or multi-purpose pavement for use during the dry season.

The types of rainwater collection systems developed included the reinforced concrete ground storage tank with an 8,000 liters of water capacity; reinforced steel ground storage tank with 4,000 liters capacity; plastic container tank with 4000 liters capacity; and the concrete storage tank with a capacity of 60,000 liters.

Last year, P38.4M was allocated for the construction of 414 RCWS units spread in various district engineering offices.

Schools without access to potable water facilities are the top priorities for this project, Singson stressed in his directive. But if there is no qualified public school compound, we can consider public markets as second option. We plan to double the number of schools with these facilities this year to address the lack of water supply in state-run institutions amid the forecast of Pag-asa that La Niña is expected to extend up to the first quarter of 2012. (CGC)