“You can now drink water from contaminated rivers, floodwaters, lakes and even water from the toilets” cited Ernesto Labuntog, the inventor of RMFS (Rapid Multi-media filtration system).

Mr. Labuntog is confident that this is possible. For 40 years, he was passionate and dedicated his time in finding out ways to recycle water. It started out during his teenage years, when he saw that the time will come that the world will encounter water shortage. Well, I can see what he means. With the growing population, and pollution that caused contamination to our waters, and the water problem he saw in his hometown in Cebu, urged him to pursue and find a way to solve this problem.

After he finished Mechanical Engineering in FEATI University in 1970, he worked as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in the US Air Force base in Wake Island. He saw that they were able to sustain their water supply inspite of the big population in the area. During his free time, he tried to study and learn the process in recycling waste water and rain water. After a few years, he was exposed to other unique processes of recycling water in places like the Middle east, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. He returned to his homeland, the Philippines during the El Nino back in 1997-1998 and tried to implement his knowledge to help improve the supply of safe drinking water to the people. 

Labuntog spend all his savings and years of unemployment to pursue his research. Luckily, DOST (Department of Science and Technology), having learned of his research, supported Labuntog in creating a prototype by providing him the facilities to minimize expenses.

Through this, he was able to supply a clean and safe drinking water to The Pililla Poultry Processing Plant in Pulilla Rizal in January 2003. Again, in Trento, Agusan del Sur where he was able to achieve the international and Philippine standards for drinking water. Monkayo, Compostela Valley is also planning to implement this technology but is still waiting for it financial budget before it is deployed.

This technology can purify  all surface water as run-off, flood, shallow wells, lagoons, lakes, rivers and even wastewater plants, safe enough for drinking. But this technology is very expensive and Labuntog wanted to help the people in the villages who doesn’t have the necessary means, finances, education and even electricity to run the plant. So, he thought of making a smaller version of this technology, so easy that even a 9 year old can do it.

He compressed the technology in one package, small and easy enough to be used in any household wherein in just 4 simple steps and process, an average family of six will be able to have a safe drinking water in their own homes.

	Step 1(Pre-treatment):Get water from the river, lake or even floodwater and pour it in the container. Place a sachet of Labuntog’s formulation and stir the water for one (1) minute then let it set for 15minutes.
	Step 2 (Filtration):By this time, you will see the upper part of the water is becoming clearer. Use a strainer to take away the dirt and other floating substance out of the water. (make sure not to disturb the buttom of the water)
	Step 3 (Disinfection):Place one drop of Labuntog’s solution to the water and stir 5 times (stir very slow). If you want to make sure that the water is disinfected, you can get a DPD (can be bought in any drugstore) to test the water. If the water turns pink, it is safe to drink, if blue, its still infected.
	Step 4 (Post treatment – Adsorption):   Transfer the water carefully to the last filtration. After which the water is safe to drink.

Our staff visited him and saw his demonstration in DOST during the World Water Day held last March 22, 2007 in visayas avenue, quezon city, Philippines. We saw how he treated the water  (which he got from the faucet and mixed it with mud from the streets) and I can say that the end result was odorless, clear and tastes ok, just like drinking a bottled mineral water (just don’t think where it came from, is what Labuntog said one of the problem people face). 

Tests were performed by various laboratories to ensure the cleanliness of the water. That it is not only clean but is also free from harmful bacteria. These tests were performed by Manila Water, DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), Food and Nutrition Research Institute, Intertek Testing Services Philippines Inc., PSI Technologies Inc., and Ostnen Mineral Laboratories Inc.

At this time, Mr. Labuntog is planning to convert sea water to safe drinking water. He is currently looking for financers who could support his endeavor. He welcomes projects where he can implement his technology in villages, barangays or anywhere where a shortage of safe drinking water is experienced.

If you are interested in Mr. Labuntog's invention, for your inquiries, messages, comments and other concerns, kindly CLICK HERE.