The University of San Carlos (USC), in partnership with Hanze University of Applied Sciences (HUAS) and Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), successfully organized the 7th Metro Cebu River Scan Challenge from April 21 to May 2, 2025. 

The two-week environmental initiative, headed by the USC Office of External Relations and Internationalization (OERI) and the Office of Community Extension Services (CES), brought together students from the USC departments of Civil Engineering, Political Science, Architecture, and Anthropology, Sociology, and History. A total of 316 Filipino students from the four departments and 13 Dutch students participated in the 7th River Scan, forming 12 teams assigned to 12 different sitios along the Butuanon River. 

The event was not just fieldwork but also a learning experience. It consisted of a series of lectures by the professors from RUAS and HUAS, as well as from partner Local Government Units (LGUs) and NGOs. There were also consultations on the draft proposals, a visit to Gilutongan Island involving the Dutch partners through the generous support of Shangri-la Mactan Cebu, and a culminating program.

The lecture series provided students with valuable insights into waste management, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. The resource speakers were: 

• Engr. Myka Marie Llanos (Environmental Management Specialist of CCENRO)
• Ar. Socorro Atega (CUSW)
• Prof. Floris Boogard (HUAS) 
• Prof. Rick Heikoop (RUAS)
• Jovelyn Dotillos (MCENRO)
• Engr. Aure Flo A. Oraya (PICE National Director)
• Ma. Emma A. Ramas (Alternate Chairman of the Cebu City Ecological Solid Waste Management Board)
• Engr. Janito J. Ubal (Project Manager of FEPA Engineering Service)
• Dr. Belmore S. Mejares (PICE President – Cebu Chapter)
• Ed Karlon Rama (Chairman of the Cebu City River Management Council).
• Fr. Romeo Cagatin, SVD

During the two-day field work, students went to their assigned area and conducted surveys and gathered baseline data from residents living within three meters of the river. The same location or sitios from last year’s River Scan were visited to maintain continuity and to track progress. 

The sitios were located across seven barangays, namely: 

• Cebu City Barangays
  • Pulangbato
  • San Jose
  • Bacayan

• Mandaue City Barangays
  • Tingub
  • Tabok
  • Paknaan
  • Alang-alang

Through the socio-economic survey, students gained an understanding of the severity of environmental issues in these communities. The goal remained focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The teams eventually crafted feasible, innovative, and low-cost solutions that are sure to benefit the communities.

The event concluded with a culminating activity held at the Bunzel Building (morning session, see photo above) and at the SAFAD Theater (afternoon session) on May 2, 2025. Each team pitched their proposed solutions and presented their videos and posters to the jurors. Evaluation was divided based on river sections (upstream, midstream, and downstream):

• Upstream: Jurors from the USC Water Resources Center – Engr. Maria Nenita Jumao-as (USC WRC Director), Engr. Melvin Raymund Dangin, and Engr. Emmanuel Nicholas James Labuen
• Midstream: Jurors from Civil Engineering Department – Engr. Noel Navasca (System Administrator), Engr. Sam Kenneth Formentera (CE Alumnus and CMT Lab In-charge), and Engr. Gio Dean Dolotina (former Riverscan Facilitator and ERDT Scholar)
• Downstream: Jurors from Mechanical Engineering Department – Engr. Lucy Aehr and Engr. Yanni Duma-og, and the Civil Engineering Department – Engr. Alexandria Longos (CE Alumna)

Out of the 12 teams, three finalists were chosen: Teams 5, 10, and 12. They advanced to the afternoon session, where they presented their proposed solutions to a new panel of jurors. In the end, Team 12 won the Best in Video award, while Team 5 received the Best in Poster and Pitch awards. 

Both teams addressed the problem of solid waste. Team 12 proposed BITBIN, a portable waste collection system, along with localized Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs). Meanwhile, Team 5 proposed the use of compost bins with black soldier flies for organic waste management.

Overall, the event was a huge success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the different departments and offices of University of San Carlos, the Dutch partners, and the support of the officials from the barangays and the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, and Shangri-la Mactan Cebu. This initiative brings the Butuanon River one step closer to a cleaner and more sustainable future.

With reporting from Engr. Monica Anne Louis J. Intong, M.S., Department of Civil Engineering