By Mediatrix P. Cristobal
MANILA, Sept. 2 — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is "going green" all over the country with sustainable technologies to help curb effects of climate change, especially threats of landslide as the rainy season comes in full swing this month.
DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson has issued Department Order No. 41 which instructed all project and regional directors and district engineers to prioritize the usage of coconut bio-engineering products/solutions in all DPWH projects/activities, especially those projects involving slope stabilization, soil conditioning, soil erosion prevention and/or hydro-seeding.
“We must fully support the program of the government to adopt relatively new indigenous products/technologies in our infrastructure projects that are specifically designed to prevent/mitigate the disastrous and devastating effects of natural calamities brought about by climate change” Singson said.
The DPWH chief also said that the usage of the coco-fiber products in the engineering industry will not only be beneficial for the environment but it will also provide employment opportunities for the coconut farmers in rural areas.
Coco-fiber products can be used as coco peat or coir dust and coconut fiber materials for soil conditioning and erosion control.
A “Certificate of Conditional Approval” has already been issued by the DPWH to allow the usage of coco-fiber products in DPWH projects.
The Philippines sits on the so-called Pacific "ring of fire" and typhoon belt. It is considered a geologically unstable area of Southeast Asia that experiences frequent geohazards such as typhoons and earthquakes — often triggering other hazardous events such as tsunamis and landslides.
Although landslides can occur anywhere in the world, they pose a particular threat in mountainous tropical regions such as the Philippines, where tropical cyclones and monsoons are common.
An average of 20 cyclones strike the Philippines every year. (PNA) scs/MPC