Tags: Environment, Hotels and Resorts, Vacation
By Anna Valmero
SIARGAO ISLAND, SURIGAO DEL NORTE - Cloud 101 Resort is popular among surfers in this island because of its affordable rates and quality amenities.
But unknown to many, the resort does rain harvesting to ensure sustainable water supply especially during the summer.
“Rain harvesting is an old method for collecting water and practiced long ago in the Philippines,” says co-owner and Australian surfer Mike Archibald.
“However, most locals today seldom rely on rain harvesting anymore, which I think they should, especially since it provides economical and sustainable water supply.”
He says rain is one of the purest forms of water when it drops from the sky. The Australian native has been collecting rainwater for over ten years at his resort in Barangay Catangnan in General Luna.
The quiet town of General Luna is the entry point to the famous “Cloud 9” barrel waves frequented by professional surfers. It is likewise home to beginner to intermediate waves nicknamed “Jacking Horse” and “Quicksilver”.
Mike says he can collect rainwater throughout the year, especially from January to early March and during the rainy season from June to August.
One of the first rain harvesting tanks he designed himself is located in a two-storey budget rooms near the beachfront and three newer tanks are located along the bungalow-style cottages at the resort entrance.
Each tank can collect about 200,000 liters of rainwater. The collected rainwater is good for a week’s supply for bathing, washing clothes and for cleaning kitchen utensils.
On the issue of acid rain usually found in polluted metro cities, Mike says rainwater harvested in Siargao Island is free from pollutants since there is much less air pollution in the area, owing to the minimal number of vehicles.
Mike and his wife Welia are encouraging locals to harvest rainwater for daily use as a sustainable and responsible means of using the earth’s finite freshwater.
He points out that of the earth’s total water, less than five percent is classified as freshwater and can be used for drinking.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) mentioned in its website that of the 1,385 million cubic kilometers of the earth’s water, over 96 percent is saline or saltwater.
The remaining four percent is freshwater, some 68 percent of which is found in glaciers, the USGS noted.
The remaining 30 percent of freshwater supply in rivers and lakes mostly supply water for human use —but this only constitutes about 93,100 cubic kilometers or about 0.007 percent of total water.
“We should always look for ways to limit our carbon footprint. It does not need to be big, we can start at our own home by reusing rainwater. Collectively, this action will mean a lot,” says Mike.
He has also setup small solar cell panels in some cottages. The solar cells, which are supplied by one of his regular American guests, measure about 3 inches by 3 inches can be used to charge MP3 players, cellphones or LED flashlights for emergency use.
Cloud 101 room rates for two persons start at P500 for budget rooms to P1,400 air-conditioned standard rooms.
Related stories:
Resort owners in Siargao Island still hoping for better roads and proper garbage collection
Siargao community continues age-old tradition of making kopra
Siargao island attracts local and foreign surfers all-year-round
Marinduque resort offers Mediterranean-inspired experience
Attractions Beaches and Water Activities Churches and place of worship Churches and Places of Worship Environment Festivals and Fiestas Historical Places Hotels and Resorts Indigenous Culture Malls Museums Natural Wonders Parks and Recreations Travel Concerns and Advisories Travel Tales and Tips Vacation Zoos and Animal Sanctuaries
WP Cumulus Flash tag cloud by Roy Tanck and Luke Morton requires Flash Player 9 or better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
wow! This very encouraging story..
I’m hoping that all the Filipino well also used this one.