• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) said the first-ever research and development laboratory for the improvement of wastewater from sugar-related industries (SRI RnD Lab) in Negros Occidental was inaugurated Oct. 1 at the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV) in Talisay City.
Through this lab, the TUPV could strengthen its capability to do research activities related to water and wastewater treatment from sugar-related industries, the DOST-PCIEERD stressed, noting that Negros is considered the ‘sugar bowl’ of the Philippines, as 13 of 25 sugar mills are operating in the island.
“These (sugar mills and distilleries) produce wastewaters that can cause pollution and environmental problems if not properly addressed and regulated,” the Department of Science and Technology had said.
The SRI RnD Lab, worth P5 million, is funded under the Institution Development Program (IDP), and is the second RnD project supported by DOST-PCIEERD in Negros Occidental. The other is the P4.9-million Center of Aerogel Technology for Energy and Environment (CATEE) at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City, inaugurated in November last year.
Dr. Gregorio Crisostomo, assistant director for Research and Extension of TUP Visayas, said at the launching ceremony of SRI RnD Lab at the university gymnasium, that with this project, “there’s hope to make good practices and (ensure) singularity and sustainability in the sugar industry that will help the community.”
He said that Negros still relies heavily on sugar, but since the industry is a linear economy, the “resources are being depleted and we don’t have new resources; we are not expanding (or) reclaiming land.”
Crisostomo said that with the SRI RnD Lab, researches on solid waste management can be done. “(Hopefully), we can revive or regenerate the resources that we used.”
He expressed hope that TUPV can collaborate with USLS and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, as well as with industry partners Hawaiian-Philippine Company, Victorias Milling, First Farmers, and the Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the project.
It is also important to engage with other schools so that this lab will be very productive and profitable, as we have to sustain its operations, Crisostomo said.
He likewise commended all those who worked hard to make the project possible.
The SRI RnD Lab project leader is Noriel Seduco, with engineers Cenon Linazan III and Junella Trixia Porol, and Bonifacio Jubay III as members.
“TUPV has ongoing projects for wastewater treatment but has no dedicated facility to conduct these projects,” Seduco, also the program head of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Department, was quoted as saying in a post of Philippine Artisan Visayas, the official student publication of TUP Visayas.
“Through this grant, we will develop products and processes for sugar-related industries’ wastewater treatment, forge partnerships with sugar-related industries in the province, and conduct research projects that can provide modern, effective, and cost-efficient wastewater treatment technologies,” she added in the post. | CGC
