The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in collaboration with the  Department of Science and Technology launch the floating solid waste collector system along the Pasig River in Manila on June 13, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have launched an innovative floating solid waste collector system on Thursday at the Pasig River Esplanade.

The floating solid waste collector system – a joint initiative funded by the DENR and developed by the DOST – aims to enhance the efficiency of water hyacinth harvesting and solid waste collection. The system includes an improved hyacinth harvester and a floating trash collector, designed to remove, collect, and transfer waste from rivers and estuaries.

The harvester features a conveyor belt mechanism that gathers waste and directs it onto a barge. Once one barge is filled, the collected waste is transferred to another barge, ensuring continuous operation and efficient waste management. Each unit of the harvester has the capacity to collect around 5 cubic meters of waste.

DENR mentioned that this initiative began when they noticed the large number of water hyacinths.

"It was pandemic time, we were implementing Manila Bay rehabilitation po. So problema namin then was the water hyacinth... 5,000 sacks daily," said Jacqueline Caancan, Director of the Environment Management Bureau of DENR.

(It was pandemic time and we were implementing the Manila Bay rehabilitation. Our challenge then were the water hyacinths. We collected around 5,000 sacks daily.)

Since they lacked equipment, they decided to partner with the DOST to also help address marine pollution.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that the Filipino-made technology is also cheaper than the imported alternatives.

"If we will produce this again – minus research and development – mga 50 percent ng imported cost... 'Yung maintenance nito ay mapapabilis kasi dito na lang ang mga parts at mga gagawa sa Manila magmumula. Di katulad ng mabibili abroad," he said.

(If we produce this again, minus the research and development costs, it would be just 50 percent of the cost of the imported alternatives. Maintenance will be quicker since parts and labor are locally sourced, unlike those bought from abroad.)

The floating solid waste collector system is expected to significantly aid in cleaning the Pasig River and Laguna Lake and alleviate the blockages caused by water hyacinths.

It will undergo several months of testing to refine its efficiency and performance.

The DOST is open to licensing the technology to local fabricators if there is substantial interest.