The Pollution Control Association of the Phils., Inc. (PCAPI) National conducted its 2^nd Technical Session last September 22 via Zoom in Celebration of this year’s International Coastal Clean-up Month. With the theme: H₂O = LIFE : Achieving the “Water Goal” of UN Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The program was hosted by PCAPI Board Secretary, Engr. Shirlyn C. Reyes, PhD, ASEAN, APEC, ACPE and her Session Moderators, VP-Internal Engr. Fernando R. Ramos, and PIO Engr. Norman Giovanni M. Guevarra.

PCAPI President Engr. Gretchen Fontejon – Enarle delivered her opening message to the board of trustees, advisers, guest speakers and members of the association. Engr. Enarle emphasized the importance of water, as water pollution is considered as one of the global challenges. She has given a very informative data on the water quality and how it affects the lives of the people. She has mentioned also how the DENR Adopt an Estero program along with its partners and the community involved gives proof that when people act simultaneously and synchronously, it brings significant changes to the environment. “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water, because water is life” as Engr. Enarle ended her welcome message.

Engr. Marcelino N. Rivera Jr., the current Environmental Quality Division (EQD) OIC-Chief of Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) delivers his keynote message as part of the opening program. Engr. Rivera mentioned that DENR adopted the UNESCO challenge no. 1 which is “Understand and Beat Marine Pollution” as the main theme of this year’s International Coastal Clean-Up month. He acknowledged the association for conducting a webinar like this to focus on the current issues of the environment, like the International Coastal Clean-up Month.

The first session focused on taking a deeper view and understanding with the updated regulation associated with the water quality guidelines. DENR-EMB represented by Engr. Joseph Tuburan, Senior Environmental Management Specialist from Water Quality Management Section discussed the DAO 2021-19 also known as the Updated Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards (GES) for Selected Parameters. This administrative order is in line with the existing DAO 2016-08 or the Water Quality Guidelines and General Effluent Standards of 2016 which is still in effect according to Engr. Tuburan. The discussion was followed by an open forum for some questions/clarifications about the topic.

The second session focused on the water security with the topic: “Water Sanitation, and Sewerage Challenges of Water Utilities”. The topic was discussed by Engr. Francisco Arellano, Senior Technical Consultant and Practice Leader for Water, Maynilad Water. Engr. Arellano presented the data that nearly 1/3 of people globally lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and over half lack access to safely managed sanitation. Engr. Arellano relates the current situation of the world on the usage of water as it is the most basic frontline defense against the wide-spread Covid-19 yet, 25% of the world’s population lacks access to a reliable water supply. He ended his topic with a text of 1834 by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: “water, water, everywhere, and all the boards did shrink; water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.”

The third session focused on the Best Practices of Industries. Engr. Mel Christan Vitalez and Engr. Bryan Harley Babaran representing Absolut Distillery Inc. have presented “The Rewards of Change”. Engr. Vitalez on the Liquid Fertilization Program or the Agro-recycling of Distiller Effluent as well as their other best practices such as Rainwater Collection System, Shortened washing time of fermenters and Slops Re-use System. While Engr. Babaran discussed BMSW (Biomethanated Spent Wash) Evaporator Plant of Absolut Distillery Inc. where it focused on how ADI’s wastewater treatment facility supports its fertilization operations. Indeed, these best practices is committed for a cleaner and greener alcohol production.

The last and fourth session of the program was “Cleaner Production: An MSME Water Management Story” presented by Engr. Reynaldo Esguerra, Chief, Environmental & Biotechnology Division of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI). Engr. Esguerra discussed the economics of water pollution and regulation compliance, the economics of resource efficient and cleaner production and wastewater treatment case study. And as to conclude his topic, (1) top management commitment, (2) waste audit to identify waste sources and cleaner production options and (3) participation of plant personnel were the key elements to success. This presentation of Engr. Esguerra can be considered as an eye-opener for the industries to achieve a cleaner and greener production without affecting its compliance to the environmental regulations.

As to move along with the program, the participants were given the chance to ask questions or clarifications for the topics discussed by Engr. Arellano, Engr. Vitalez, Engr. Babaran and Engr. Esguerra during the open forum session. The open forum has been facilitated/moderated by Engr. Ramos and Engr. Guevarra.

To officially end the program, VP-External Jeremiah Dwight C. Sebastian delivered his closing remarks as he acknowledged everyone who have attended the 2^nd Technical Session of the association, the keynote speaker, resource speakers, guests and PCAPI National trustees and advisers as they take time to be part of the virtual event.