Bontoc – Two pupils of Banga-an Elementary School in Sagada were recognized by the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Mountain Province for inventing a treadle glass and bottle-crusher that will contribute much to the reduction of solid waste.
In cognizance of the valuable efforts and ingenuity of the province’s young inventors -Nixon L. Labiang and Jimber Lee A. Camareg, the Provincial Government through Sagguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Resolution No. 2018-112, awarded them with Certificates of Commendation and a cash incentive of Php 2,500 each.
According to Vice Governor Francis O. Tauli, the Sangguninang Panlalawigan will always be supportive of the programs of the Chief Executive which includes support to budding inventors as exemplified by the Banga-an ES’ grade school boys.
SP Resolution No. 2018-113 was likewise crafted commending Mrs. Naty A. Camareg, the project adviser for her invaluable assistance, support and guidance to the two inventors.
Using a recycled ball mill, Labiang who was then in grade VI in school year 2016-2017 invented an improvised glass and bottle crusher. Last year, Camareg introduced innovations to the prototype glass crusher by attaching a bicycle to function as a treadle. The treadle glass and bottle crusher entry of Bang-an ES was able to garner the first place during last year’s Regional Science and Math Festival – Elementary Category of the Department of Education held at La Trinidad, Benguet.
Findings from the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office shows that the crusher is a functional hand operated manual treadle glass and bottle crusher with pedal. It can crush medicine bottles, broken glasses and other types bottles. A discarded bicycle was fixed using motorcycle chain that was connected to the sprocket. The bicycle was attached to the crusher with brace to make it steady and more durable. The crusher can at once grind bottles that weigh about 2575 grams.
According to Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Cornelio M. Diego, the crusher is of great help for solid waste management particularly on crushing bottles and broken glasses which are not usually accepted in most junk shops. He said that the machine may utilize crushed bottles that can be mixed with cement.
Diego added that the machine can help the Local Government Units and the communities on managing their wastes. With this, he further urged the different officials to support the province’s innovators.
Meanwhile, Governor Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr., called on the different education sector leaders and on other stakeholders to encourage the students with great potentials to advance in the field of invention and to continue using and advocating innovations in the name of development.
“We will always be supportive of our students and children’s endeavors. We cannot possibly provide everything but provisions of assistance to the basic education sector is very much in place through our Provincial Local School Board,” he said.
As of press time, Banga-an ES is partnering with the Provincial Government through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in conducting a research to further improve the bottle and glass crusher. //Erwin S. Batnag
