Climate Cafe 2023 Group Evaluation

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Submitted By: Barangay Swifties

Absalon, Ella Mae

Beniga, Gabrielle
Cabungcal, Lalaine
Clam, Kyla Lorraine
Empenida, Jastine Mae
Geyrozaga, Joshien Kyla
Ople, Deanne Azalea

BA POS IRFS-4

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Submitted to:

Mr. Elizar Sabinay

Policy Advocacy Teacher

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May 3, 2023
Top 6 Projects

Ranking: 1

1. Group name: Team 12 (Making Waves)

Project name: Strengthening Dyke thru Phragmites Australis

Notes: The group's proposed solution about planting vegetation around the insides of the dyke
to provide protection against erosion is a very effective project initiative, sustainability and
feasibility wise which is why it was considered as the top 1 in rank. With its proposed budget,
this project will be of great help to the target population and for everyone overall in the
community if and only if, the government will also do its part with the people going hand in
hand for the betterment or benefit of the river itself for it to be useful, functional, and
accessible.

Ranking: 2

2. Group name: Team 11 (The River Banks)

Project name: Trash Booms, Bubble Barriers and Underground Garbage Bins

Notes: This group was ranked number 2 with its proposed 3 solutions for the downstream
Butuanon River to restore life and mitigate the damage caused since 1992 when it was declared
dead due to pollution which eventually had been classified as Class D body. These solutions are
the following: Trash Booms (prevent pollution and protect marine life in areas with high levels of
human activity), Bubble Barriers (useful to trap microplastics to also protect marine life by
creating a barrier) and Underground Garbage Bins (to reduce visual impact, smell, and noise
associated with traditional waste containers). To achieve the best and meaningful results, this
project initiative requires careful planning and adequate funding by the government, hence, the
formulated solutions require a comprehensive and collaborative approach and effort to
effectively manage river pollution and to eventually protect the environment.

Ranking: 3

3. Group name: Team 1 (Mahiwaga)

Project name: 3-Meter Easement and Mini Dam

Notes: Constructing a mini dam in the middle upstream in Metro Cebu rivers may have both
positive and negative impacts. On the positive side, the mini dam can help regulate the flow of
the river and provide a reliable source of hydroelectric power. This can be especially beneficial
for remote Metro Cebu areas that lack access to other forms of electricity.

However, there are also potential negative impacts to consider. One concern is the impact on
the local ecosystem, including the river's natural flow and the species that depend on it. The
mini dam could alter the river's flow, which could affect the sedimentation patterns, water
temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels. This could, in turn, harm the aquatic life in the river.

Overall, the construction of a mini dam in the middle upstream of a river requires careful
consideration of the potential impacts on both the environment and local communities.

Ranking: 4

4. Group name: Team 5 (Team Delta)

Project name: Deltrap Waste Bins

Notes: Trap waste bins are an essential tool for protecting rivers and other water bodies from
pollution caused by litter and other waste materials. In these areas like in Mahiga Creek, Cebu,
the bins are strategically placed near stormwater drains, car parks, and other areas where trash
can accumulate and be carried away by rainwater runoff into the river.

By using trap waste bins, the amount of waste that enters the river can be significantly reduced.
This advocacy shall help preserve the water quality and prevent harm to the aquatic life and the
ecosystem that depends on it. When waste accumulates in rivers, it can have harmful effects,
such as clogging waterways, causing algal blooms, and depleting oxygen levels, all of which
can have devastating impacts on the river's ecosystem.

In addition to protecting the environment, trap waste bins also promote public awareness about
the importance of proper waste management. They encourage people to dispose of their waste
responsibly and help to prevent litter from accumulating in public spaces, which can lead to a
cleaner and more pleasant environment for everyone.

Ranking: 5

5. Group name: Team 6 (MD River Warriors)

Project name: Catch Basin, Communal Septic Tank with Filtration, and Kaamguhan
Program (C2k System)

Notes: The project is costly and would require a lot of manpower during the installation. The
communal septic tanks also require rigid maintenance. For the aforementioned reasons, it may
be not favorable to the economic and social aspect, respectively. Sustainability wise, the
longevity of the catch basins is also in question. However, if the government can successfully
hold a cooperation with the private sectors around the area, matters with regards to the funding
of the project should be taken into account.

Ranking: 6
6. Group name: Team 10 (Pasiugda)
Project name: Helophyte Vertical Wetlands

Notes: The project made it to the group’s top 6 mainly for the reason that it proposes an
inexpensive solution to solid waste management and flooding. Moreover, it aims to provide
better water quality around the area. The main issue that we were able to raise during the
presentation was more on the longevity, management and maintenance of the project. Since it
will be placed in a highly urbanized community, the local government will have to rehabilitate the
area. Furthermore, there is a need to eliminate the garbage in the riverbanks before the
installation of the helophyte wetlands to increase the efficacy of the project.

Top 3 Policies

1. Group Name: Team 12 (Making Waves)

Potential policy: Strengthening the Dykes around the downstream parts of
Butuanon River by planting vegetation around the insides of the dyke through the
Phragmites Australis.

Policy Objectives: To alleviate the flooding in the area due to the low level placement of
the riverbank with the nearby inhabitants. Furthermore, the Phragmites Australis plant
seeks to eliminate the large quantities of phosphate and sulfur that is responsible for the
smelly and polluted river.

Reason: Our group believes that apart from all the policies proposed, this is the most
doable from all, because of the following reasons: (1) Budget-wise, the plant can be
found, bought, planted diversely because it is in surplus, its price is cheap. (2)
Sustainability, this plant can survive even with heavy water currents, given that its
maintenance is not really of a problem since it will be planted at the center and lastly (3)
political feasibility wise, the LGU would support this because it is not complicated but at
the same time brings a lot of benefits to the nearby area.

2. Group Name: Team 11 (The River Banks)

Potential policy: Implementing different forms of Trash Collectors in the
downstream parts of Butuanon River for proper garbage disposal.

Policy Objectives: To collect and contain floating debris in bodies of water through the
use of the trash boom. To protect marine life by creating a barrier that prevents fish and
other animals from swimming into areas that are dangerous or polluted through the use
of a bubble barrier. Lastly, to reduce the visual impact, smell, and noise associated with
traditional waste containers through the use of underground garbage bins.
 Reason: Our group believes that the solutions proposed by team 11 are practical and
attainable. Moreover, instead of proposing just one solution to the problem of improper
waste disposal in the downstream parts of Butuan river, team 11 went above and beyond
to think and create 3 solutions that would target not just the main problem of improper
waste disposal, but also the subproblems that come along with it. They were also able to
explain how each device would work, and the cost for these devices was also
economically feasible.

3. Group Name: Team 1 (Mahiwaga)

Potential policy: Construction of a 3-meter Easement and a Mini Dam in the Middle
Upstream Portion of Mahiga Creek to alleviate flooding.

Policy Objectives: To mitigate flooding and further utilize the water supply of the river
through the construction of the mini dam, to maintain and protect the river by preventing
human interference such as building private structures through the 3-meter easement,
and lastly, to encourage people to dispose of waste properly through the strict
implementation of the proper waste disposal.

Reason: Our group believes that his group has 3 practical solutions and each solution
addresses the problems that they have highlighted namely; how the upstream is being
dry, polluted with plastic waste, and rivers are being disrupted due to transport limits and
proper drainage system. Instead of having just one solution, the group proposed 3, while
highlighting their main project which is the 3-meter easement and mini dam. The other
solution focuses on waste education which is also very important.