IN line with the SM Green Movement, the SM group, through SM Foundation Inc. (SMFI), has established a rainwater harvesting system at Barangay Irawan Birthing Facility in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The initiative aims to strengthen the goal of preserving the environment and ensuring the health and wellness of future generations.

To enhance water conservation and management within the facility, the catchment tank collects rainwater from the roof and gutter, passing it through vinyl-coated mesh filters to help ensure water quality. The harvested water caters to the facility's non-potable needs such as watering plants, cleaning and toilet flushing.

With an 800-liter storage capacity, the rainwater harvesting system operates without electricity and features labeled faucets for intuitive recycled water use.

Narcisa Jagmis, a midwife who leads the said birthing facility, states that the rainwater harvesting system will help the facility reduce its reliance on the city's water supply systems.

"Mahalagang hindi kami nawawalan ng tubig sa center, lalo na po 'pag nagsimula kaming mag-operate bilang birthing clinic. Ngunit, minsan po, walang dumadaloy na tubig at wala kaming mapagkukunan (It is important that we do not lose water at the center, especially when we officially start operating as a birthing clinic. However, sometimes, there is no running water and we have no resources)," shares Jagmis.

"Kaya napakalaking tulong po ng natural na tubig mula sa rainwater catchment system na. Madali namin itong na-access upang gamiting panglinis o pandilig dahil konektado ito sa mga gripo. Ang tubig naman mula sa main line ay maitatabi namin para sa aming sterile operations (The natural water from the rainwater catchment system is very helpful. We can easily access it for cleaning or watering plants because it is already connected to faucets. We can save the water from the main line for our sterile operations)," adds Jagmis.