2017 Manila Water Foundation Prize for Engineering Excellence awardee chosen

The 2017 Manila Water Foundation Prize for Engineering Excellence is once again recognizing exceptional professional Filipino scientists and engineers working for the country.

In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), the Prize searched for everyday individuals who used their knowledge and talents in creating innovations addressing changing concerns for water, sanitation, environment, and sustainability. This year’s run has come to a close and the most fitting to the title has been chosen.

Dr. Ricardo Orge is a senior science research specialist from the Philippine Rice Research Institute. An agricultural engineer by degree and profession, he obtained his degrees from the Visayas State University, and University of the Philippines in Los Baños and Diliman.

Since 1992, he and his team have been studying and developing technologies for the improvement of farmers and other related industries. One such is the continuous-type Rice Hull (CtRH) Carbonizer, a machine for processing rice hull, improving the income-generating activities of the farmers while addressing environmental and climate change concerns. Combined with a highly diversified and integrated rice-based farming system, its popularity has been increasing among farmers in the Northern Luzon region, as well as catching the attention of other LGUs in exploring its use for other agricultural and livelihood purposes.

As this year’s sole awardee, Orge will receive a trophy called “The Last Light,” designed by Ayala Corp. chairman emeritus Jaime Zobel de Ayala from the 2004 “Ode to Light” collection, P500,000, and a medal in an awarding ceremony in 2018, where the country’s leaders for transformative change will come together.

“I think he is very unassuming and genuine, and his innovation stands out from the others because it responds to more than one need with biochar,” PTC’s founder and board member Dr. Lydia Tansinsin said of Orge.

“I would like to see this innovation promoted and used more with the farming regions of the country as I think this will help boost their yield and production, as well as their incomes in the long run,” DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara, one of the judges during the final phases of the Prize, said.

Much like the program’s trophy, the recognition is awarded to Filipinos who have served to become beacons of light for their passion and determination to come up with solutions to some of the country’s prevalent problems.

In line with the goal of recognizing academic research implemented in the field and to recognize more local talents, Manila Water Foundation, DOST and PTC received nominations from all over the Philippines to find individuals and their teams who have worked and furthered their research with their respective institutions, LGUs, communities and partners.