DoST project to create Japanese-designed 'eco-towns'

By Lawrence Casiraya INQUIRER.net AN ONGOING project of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) puts Japanese know-how in the creation of "eco-towns" nationwide. The project, officially called "Green Framework of Innovative Strategy on Sustainable Consumption and Productivity" or GFIS, is being undertaken by the Industrial Technology Development Institute (a DoST agency) and Japan's International Center for Technology Transfer (ICETT). The program adopts the Japanese concept of an eco-friendly town (hence, eco-town) where technology is applied to local industries, resulting in environmental benefits such as waste reduction or incorporating recycling processes. Through this program, ICETT's goal is to help protect the environment by transferring Japan's environmental conservation systems overseas. Pilot eco-towns will be established in three regions: Region 5 (Bicol), Region 4A (or the Calabarzon area), and Metro Manila, according to DoST. The program also intends to create an environmental management system in each of these towns to address the immediate and long-term impacts of local products and services on the environment. A team from ICETT visited the country in November and met with Camarines Sur government Luis Villafuerte to evaluate project beneficiaries in the province. Identified as possible GFIS beneficiaries are the Camaligan Fish Port, Calabanga Fish Processing Facility, J. Emmanuel Pastries and the CamSur Water Sports Complex. An initial evaluation shows that some of these facilities need assistance on pollution prevention, wastewater treatment, solid waste management, product and process development/improvement including packaging. Governor Villafuerte also recommended a bamboo processing facility for possible technical assistance and improving the propagation of pili trees due to high demand for pili nut products both from local and overseas markets.