Tacloban City District Engineering Office (TCDEO) and the Department of Education (DepEd) joined hands in inspecting the construction of the Rainwater Collector System for public schools on Friday, February 17, 2023.
The Rainwater Collector System is part of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Climate Change adaptation Program under the Convergence Program.
It is expected to provide a reliable water supply for public schools, especially those in the northern barangays where water scarcity has been a recurrent problem. With a total contract value of Php 3,241,542.16, the project includes transportation costs and other ancillary items such as gutters, downspouts, and wash areas for public schools.
District Engineer Johnny M. Acosta said, "The installation of the Rainfall Collecting System is a crucial solution to water scarcity, particularly for schools with a water shortage. Also, it will educate them on how to save water and optimize the use of rainfall."
The DepEd engineering team that inspected the project included Project Engineer Regine Montes and Division Engineer Rafael S. Lanza.
Meanwhile, TCDEO was represented by the Project Engineer of the Rainwater Collector System, Ted Bryan Bacor, his Resident Engineer, Reyboy Lantajo, Planning Engineer Jeselle Ven Macasil, and the Project Engineer of the Rainwater Collector System for the year 2022, Naldwin P. Gutierrez.
A total of 13 public schools experiencing a shortage of water supply were planned to be given their own Rainwater Collector System. However, TCDEO has successfully provided the said water sources to ten schools, including Lucio Vivero Central School, Tagpuro Elementary School, Guadalupe Heights Integrated High School, Greendale Residences Integrated, B. Bulante Elementary School, Ridge View Park Integrated School, Tacloban City Night High School, Cirilo Roy Montejo High School, Scandinavian National High School, Sto. Niño Señor High School, Sto. Niño SPED Center, St. Francis Integrated School, and North Hill Arbours Integrated School.
The Rainwater Collector System is expected to promote water conservation and educate students on the optimal use of rainfall. With this project, public schools in Tacloban City will have access to a reliable source of water supply, which will greatly benefit students and school personnel.