Saving the environment thru coco geotextiles
Temblador makes a commitment for a
better future for all
Jacel A. Temblador, a student of West Visayas State University and a native of Guimaras, believes that the environment can be saved by using coco geotextiles for sustainable development. She is one of the Filipinos vying for the title of Bayer Young Environmental Envoy.
As a 3rd year taking up Bachelor in Journalism at the WVSU, she believes that it is her duty to act as a watchdog of society and be a catalyst for change through pen and paper. "I have the power to educate, inform and transform lives bringing with me the ideals of an effective communicator," she said.
She will present her project on September 15 to 19, 2007 during the Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Eco-Camp.
"We have become extremely naïve to assume that the earth's resources are infinite and inexhaustible. We view the earth as an unlimited supply of resources for exclusive human use. However, we need to face the hard fact that the world's resources are finite and that limitations are real," she said.
The Coco Geotextiles Project
Coco Geotextile
Her project entitled "Coco Geotextiles for Sustainable Development" attempts to recycle coco husks into coco textiles that will offer alternative livelihood for Guimarasnons and help save the Tigum River in Pavia, Iloilo, from soil erosion.
The coco textile technology is an innovative breakthrough of Dr. Justino Arboleda. The innovation originally meant to address the problem of soil erosion.
Coco products offer range of comprehensive and technologically advanced natural erosion control system to stabilize soil and promote vegetation. Coco Geotextiles constructed out of coir, biodegradable fiber made from coconut husks degrade naturally at a rate allowing for the recolonization of the ground by plants. These products protect the site from erosion, retain moisture and nutrients and allow roots to develop naturally. Coco geotextile are both ecologically and economically beneficial. Ecologically beneficial because the six million coconut husks that constitute the biggest bulk of the country's farm waste which harm the environment when burned can be converted into geotextiles instead that can be used to protect river banks from soil erosion. Likewise geotextile making offers an alternative livelihood to Guimarasnon .
Objectives of the Project
The project aims to provide alternative livelihood for oil spill victim in Guimaras and prevent soil erosion at Tigum River in Pavia, Iloilo. It hopes to promote the role of technology in sustainable development and environmental protection.
Specifically the project aims to educate Guimarasnons on how they can adopt the new breakthrough on coco geotextiles as a viable alternative livelihood projects; provide the oil spill victims knowledge and skills on the different processes in making coco geotextiles; and use coco geotextiles to prevent soil erosion on critical areas of the Tigum River in Pavia, Iloilo
Sustainability of the Project
An aggressive information and communication campaign will lead to the sustainability of the project through creating awareness and knowledge about the project, attracting more people to get involve in the project, and replication of the project in other areas by other individual or groups.
Even without my personal efforts in the future as regards implementing the project in other areas. I can encourage more students and professionals to engage in the project through my skills as a journalist in the future. Through my writings I can promote the project in order to popularize it by touching the hearts of people.
"My project may sound ambitious at the moment, but I trust the words of people who expressed willingness to help me realize this noble project. This is my project. This is my commitment for a better future for all."