CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines - Cebu residents are being encouraged to take advantage of the heavy rains to reuse the water and help cut costs on water bills, a former Cebuano councilor urged. ''Saving rainwater makes good sense. Since Cebu is experiencing substantial amounts of rain beginning early this month, this should be an opportunity for everyone to maximize the rainwater, ''said former Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival. In an interview with Manila Bulletin Tuesday, Archival said rainwater can be reused, for instance, to water gardens, houseplants, wash cars, bathe animals, or fill water fountains.
According to him, rainwater is a renewable natural resource and rain barrels can be used to collect and save rainwater that can be used for gardening and other things. Investing in a rain barrel system, he said, is proven to be more effective since these are equipped with an easy linking system that allows one to connect barrels and catch water overflow. ''You will need accessories like diverters, clamps and a hose to build your system, but it is a simple process,'' said Archival, who was former chairman of the Committee on Environmental Management in the Cebu City Council. Archival, who is a staunch advocate of environment protection and conservation, has built an environment-friendly house, a pavillion where lectures are conducted, a composting area and a waste water treatment facility, among others, within a 400 sq. m. compound.
