Written By: Jeremiah Morales

COTABATO, Philippines – On the 29th and 31st of October this year, the City of Kidapawan was hit by a magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 earthquake causing devastating damages to the City and affecting approximately 30,000 residents/families. Toppled houses, collapsed buildings, and cramped evacuation centers have become common scenarios that can be seen all throughout the city. The aftermath of the disaster has forced families to camp outside of their houses, fearing for another aftershock. Signage that says “please help us” are few of the tragic images that greeted the Ateneo Innovation Center Team from the Ateneo de Manila University during their visit at Cotabato province last November 13 to 20, 2019. Their mission is to bring their Mobile Solar-powered Clean Water System (MSCWS) and Near Cloud technology to provide aid for the affected residents of the Municipality of Makilala and Kidapawan City at Cotabato region.

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The AIC team demonstrated how the MSCWS works and trained the people who are going to handle and assemble the system. The seminarians of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Diocesan Seminary were among the first batch the AIC trained for the assembly of the system as well as the Near Cloud Technology followed by the Sto. Nino Parish and San Miguel Arkangel Quasi-Parish at Brgy. Kisante. The Makilala Institute of Science and Technology was also trained on how to use the Near Cloud Technology as well as the MSCWS. Lastly, the Near Cloud Technology was also introduced to Ateneo de Davao University. In total, they have installed and turned over four MSCWS together with their Near Cloud Tech. The Ateneo de Davao University is also planning to provide psycho-social services for the affected residents of the city as these technologies can only do so much in assisting the City of Kidapawan to slowly recover from the devastating effects of the earthquake. With the combined force of each and everyone of us, we, as men and women for and with others, can help the city to rebuild itself.

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To know more about the technologies AIC is working on, you may click this link.

Photos: Ateneo Innovation Center (AIC)

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Jeremiah Morales received his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management at Ateneo de Naga University in 2019, and is currently a Research Assistant in the Coastal Cities at Risk in the Philippines. For comments and suggestions, you may contact him through jymorales@ateneo.edu, or CCARPH at ccarph@ateneo.edu