Filipino-made disaster resilience techs featured at Handa Pilipinas expo

The Handa Pilipinas expo featured several Filipino-developed solutions aimed at improving disaster preparedness and water resource management. Among these, Lithos Manufacturing's Rainfold is a portable rainwater harvesting and filtration system, featuring a 1,000-liter foldable tank and a three-stage mineral filter designed to remove heavy metals, neutralize acidity, and improve water quality. This system is reported to be deployed in schools and local government units for disaster resilience, washing, and urban farming.

Another innovation, the SAFEWTRS (Safewater Treatment System) from DOST-ITDI, is a solar-powered, mobile unit capable of converting floodwater into potable drinking water at a rate of 200 liters per hour. It employs both filtration and UV light to sterilize microorganisms, with its output meeting Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water. Joseph Ovilla, a Science Research Specialist I, noted its deployment to various local government units for use in calamity areas.

Hiraya Technology Solutions introduced the Hiraya Intelligent Modular Optimization (HIMO), an AI-driven water management system. This technology monitors well water levels, pressure, and demand to enable efficient resource allocation, aiming to minimize wastage and balance supply across distribution networks. Hiraya Tech Representative Chokie Diolata indicated its utility during periods like El Niño, with more than 10 water districts reportedly using the system to manage water flow and prevent issues like overpressure or shortages.