By Eloiza Dawn C. Balayo
Chemical Engineering students from the JPIChE-CPUC implemented Project W.A.T.E.R., a hands-on workshop on water safety and community engagement activities at Uswag Gym, Sitio Ilaya, Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City on June 06, 2026.
The outreach activity, “Project Water Awareness, Testing, Education, and Remediation (W.A.T.E.R.)” was successfully conducted on June 06, 2026, at Uswag Gym, Sitio Ilaya, Tabuc Suba, Jaro, Iloilo City, through the collaborative efforts of the Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers – Central Philippine University Chapter (JPIChE-CPUC), the CPU Chemical Engineering Department, and the local government unit of Brgy. Tabuc Suba.
The outreach initiative aimed to provide meaningful support to the community by empowering residents with practical skills in water quality testing and household-level remediation techniques to prevent waterborne diseases.
Project “W.A.T.E.R.” reflected the organization’s commitment to addressing the critical public health need for safe drinking water. Guided by this vision, the project organizers sought to do more than just conduct a workshop; they aimed to create a sustainable impact by educating participants on how to assess their own water sources. Through this activity, the student organizers sought to embody the values of scientific literacy, social responsibility, and proactive community service by extending assistance and creating meaningful experiences for the participants from the community.
The program officially began with an opening prayer, followed by insightful messages from our esteemed guests: the LGU representative, Hon. Ana Liza Jamora, and the JPIChE–CPUC adviser, Sir Marvin Malones. Following the opening remarks, Shakti Dev Limpin provided a comprehensive overview of the initiative, detailing the goals and significance of Project W.A.T.E.R. to the participants.
To ensure the effectiveness of the knowledge transfer, the facilitators implemented a structured evaluation process. Before the modules began, a pre-test was administered to assess participants’ baseline understanding of water safety and remediation. Following the hands-on sessions covering awareness, physical analysis, chemical analysis, and remediation protocols, a post-test was administered. This evaluation strategy allowed the organizers to measure the participants’ progress, effectively quantifying what the community members knew initially versus the knowledge they successfully acquired throughout the workshop.
The main highlight of the outreach was the implementation of the Water Awareness, Testing, Education, and Remediation modules, which empowered participants to proactively ensure the safety of their household water sources. Additionally, infographic posters were provided to the barangay to serve as permanent references for “Boil, Treat, and Store” protocols. Through hands-on training, the organizers taught residents how to properly identify safe drinking water using physical observation techniques and helped them understand the critical distinction between water that was merely clear and water that was truly clean and safe to consume.
The activity demonstrated that meticulous preparation, collaborative teamwork, and science-based outreach were essential for effective community service. The active participation and heartfelt reflections shared by the participants regarding their new learning’s became a rewarding experience for the organizers and volunteers alike.
The program ended with the awarding of certificates to all participants, with special recognition given to the top five performers, as well as certificates for the trainers. The event concluded with closing remarks and photo opportunities among the organizers, and beneficiaries.
Overall, “Project W.A.T.E.R.” became a successful and meaningful outreach initiative that reflected the essence of JPIChE-CPUC by bringing health awareness, practical scientific tools, and hope to the people of Brgy. Tabuc Suba, while strengthening future chemical engineers’ commitment to community service.