Are you an engineer for social good?

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Are you an engineer for social good?
Be the next Manila Water Foundation Prize for Engineering Excellence awardee and get a chance to promote your social development projects

MANILA, Philippines –  Manila Water Foundation (MWF), the social development arm of the Manila Water Company, is once again on the lookout for Filipino engineers who are working to help solve problems in the areas of water, sanitation, sustainability, and environment. The winners will receive a cash prize of half a million pesos, a medal, and a special trophy designed by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

The awardees will also get a chance to present, implement, and scale their projects through the help of possible partners and end-users, and be part of a circle of reputable engineers in the country that work towards attaining “Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)  for all communities”.

The MWF Prize for Engineering Excellence is the first and only recognizing body for engineers championing projects on water, sanitation, environment, and sustainability. This project is in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC). This year’s theme, as it has been through the years, is “Engineering for Social Good”.

It is part of MWF’s core advocacy that seeks to empower marginalized communities by providing clean and potable water, building safely-managed toilets, and educating people on the importance of proper hygiene practices in promoting good health.

In 2017, the Prize was awarded solely to Dr. Ricardo F. Orge, a Science research specialist at the Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Continuous-type Rice Hull Carbonizer

Since 1992, Dr. Ricardo F. Orge, the 2017 Manila Water Foundation Prize for Engineering Excellence awardee, and his team have been studying and developing technologies for the improvement in farming and other related industries. 

One such innovation is the Continuous-type Rice Hull (CtRH) Carbonizer, a machine for processing rice hull, improving the income-generating activities of the farmers while addressing environmental and climate change concerns.

Know more about this technology and how it has helped rice farmers in the country have additional source of income.

Posted by Manila Water Foundation on Monday, February 26, 2018

His innovative project, the Continuous-type Rice Hull (CtRH) Carbonizer makes processing of food like mushrooms, faster, and more convenient, helping farmers generate more income while mitigating climate change concerns.

“Before, we just used a drum to pasteurize the fruiting bags to plant mushrooms,” said Liwayway Danilo, a member of the cooperative that uses the CtRH. “Although it worked, it was such a slow process. But now that we have a carbonizer, we became more efficient, and our income doubled.”

Dr. Orge was a son of a farmer. He was able to finish a course in Agricultural Engineering through a scholarship program offered to children of coconut farmers. Growing up, he never saw his father receive any technical help that would improve their livelihood so he dedicated his life to helping farmers. Today, Dr. Orge is a celebrated scientist recognized by the Philippine Senate through a resolution. 

If you, or you know someone who, like Dr. Orge, has contributed to uplifting the lives of Filipinos through innovative engineering solutions, you may join or nominate them by submitting the following requirements on or before June 28 at the Manila Water Foundation office in Diliman, Quezon City:

  • Engineer’s information and endorsement forms
  • Summary of accomplishments and annexes
  • Narrative report on select topics
  • Endorsement letters
  • Birth certificate
  • Proofs of identity

The winners will be chosen after a series of elimination. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a preliminary interview to present their accomplishments, and vision for social progress. Chosen candidates will then proceed to the semi-finals where they will be evaluated using the following criteria: validity, accuracy, social impact of accomplishments, knowledge on related issues, display of conviction for the role, and embodiment of character.

The top 10 candidates will advance to the finals where they will be interviewed and evaluated by a panel of judges from various sectors.

The awarding ceremony will happen on February 28, 2020.

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