NATIONAL LEADERS, TECH EXPERTS TO JOIN AURORA WATER, SANITATION CONFERENCE

National leaders and technology experts are expected to join the water and sanitation conference on May 14 to 16 in Baler, Aurora Province. Hosted by the Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and Engineering (COMSTE), the conference aims to discuss water and sanitation in terms of water supply and demand management, and specific technology issues such as water for agriculture, water and energy, and water and flood control as well as bottled water technologies, and other sciences to acquire alternative water sources such as rainwater harvesting and desalination.

Sen. Edgardo Angara, Chair of COMSTE, said the event intends to bring together national leaders, local governments, financial institutions, international experts, and non-governmental organizations in the hope of opening up the province of Aurora to the proper science and the most relevant technologies for exploring possibilities in water supply and water services investments.

With the theme titled Water W.A.T.C.H. (Wise Adaptation of Technologies for Clean H2O), the conference will promote the deployment of the latest in new technologies and best practices for water resource management.

For government officials and industry participants, Angara said the conference will focus on the newest techniques in water management that are appropriate for the country's water systems. For the academe, the latest results of several world experts' research studies can inspire collaborative efforts in the local scene. During the event, technology providers will showcase their products and services in booths at the venue.

"The goal of this pioneering conference in Baler, Aurora, is to have a common vision and strategy for the widespread adaptation of technologies for clean water systems in the Philippines," Angara explained.

COMSTE is mandated to review and assess the state of competitiveness of S&T and Engineering research and development systems in the country. It is tasked to provide an S&T strategy for the water sector, such that a proper science-based approach can be applied to decision-making in terms of technology identification, transfer, and perhaps project implementation once investments come in.

Angara is intent on garnering investments in water services into the province in the hopes of maximizing the province's abundant water resources to provide water to Aurora, its adjacent provinces and become a model for water and sanitation for the rest of the country.