AN innovative technology that is friendly to the environment, the Eco-Friendly Septic System or Eco-Sep technology is now being used in many hotels and resorts in the country.
FROM the assistance of the Department of Science and Technology -Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), the technology emerged.
It is a technology that proves to be a boon and big help to the hospitality industry — even households — especially with the Philippines known for its white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons.
It is also home to renowned surf spots, one of which is in General Luna, Siargao, the home to the famous “Cloud 9” wave. However, beach resorts in the island have been facing a pressing issue on treating their wastewater as this has an effect on ensuring the sustainability of Siargao’s tourism.
Ms. Editha Gonzales, former general manager of Travelers’ Pension House & Beach Resort in General Luna, noted where wastewater was going in the past.
“The previous septic tank of the resort has a bottomless design, kaya direkta po ang paglabas ng aming wastewater sa dagat. At ang contamination po nito sa ating tubig ay malaking problema ng mga resorts dito sa isla. (The previous septic tanks of the resort have a bottomless design, so the wastewater drains straight into the sea. The contamination of the water is one of the biggest problems of resorts in the island),” said Gonzales.
Cleaning up wastewater has been a real challenge and poses a serious environmental threat. To address this concern, the DOST-PCIEERD supported a research project to develop a wastewater clean-up technology.
An enchanting beach scene on Siargao Island courtesy of Wikipedia. Map Siargao Islands via Google.
Thus, Eco-Sep was created, thanks Dr. Merlinda Palencia who came up with the innovation from DOST-PCIEERD’s support.
The technology is a self-sustaining, portable, and movable wastewater treatment system that uses an innovative combination of bio-stimulation and filtration enhanced with organo-minerals.
Eco-Sep’s Vigormin Organo Mineral (ViOM) is an odorless, white powder composed of various organo-minerals that has the capability to neutralize the bad odor and the mucky color in wastewater or septic water. Its application significantly improves water quality based on the effluents standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DOST-PCIEERD said.
Following the successful testing of Eco-Sep in the sewerage systems of the bunkers of Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) survivors in Palo, Leyte, in November 2013 and on a Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), hotels, jetty ports, and households on Boracay island in 2015, DOST Caraga installed and field-tested Eco-Sep in selected tourism areas and environmentally-compromised areas through a DOST-PCIEERD funded project titled, “Field Testing of Eco-Friendly Septic System for the Tourism Sector in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte,” or Project FRESH.
“Since ma-install po ang Eco-Sep dito sa resort na may draining field area, nagkaroon na po kami ng mas maayos na pag-drain ng aming wastewater. Ito po direktang nagiging pandilig sa aming mga halaman. Walang amoy at malinis. Salamat sa DOST dahil isa kami sa mga naging recipient ng Eco-Sep” (Since the installation of Eco-Sep in our resort with draining field area, we now have a better way of draining our wastewater which is directly being turned into a water for our flowers. No odor and clean. Thanks to DOST for making us one of the recipients),” said Ms. Gonzales.
Further, she thanked DOST for providing a one-year supply of Vigormin and mentioned that after a year of full implementation of the improved sewerage system thru Eco-Sep, their resort is proud to have met the effluent standards set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Apparently impressed with the results, Sugba Lagoon in the Municipality of Del Carmen, also in Siargao Island, will also be launching their Eco-Sep wastewater treatment this February 10, 2019.
Realizing the positive outcome, other hotels, beach resorts and local government units (LGUs) in the island have inquired and expressed about adopting Eco-Sep.
Dr. Enrico Paringit, executive director of DOST-PCIEERD, assured that such projects in the future will continually be supported.
“We will continue to provide solutions to societal problems through strategic research and development,” he said.
Paringit said that DOST-PCIEERD will take the lead in conducting collaborative efforts to maintain and protect the environment and the country’s ecotourism through science and technology intervention. (Source: DOST-PCIEERD)
Wonderful news. There is hope in the environment. Let us know more about this. We could even establish a commercial move about this.
Sir, thank you so much. I will try to get some more details. Take care.