The Extension services unit of the College of Engineering and Architecture conducted a capacity building activity on the Climate Change Resilient Pilot House (CCRPH) technology last 26-28 November 2019 in Cullat, Daraga, Albay relative to the fabrication of modular blocks. These blocks will be used for the construction of the SME facility of the Wellness and Wholeness Advocates Organization (WWAO) in the said province.

The facility will be built adopting the CCRPH methodology. The undertaking started in 2017 when the BISCAST Nexus Team extended their expert advisory and consultancy services in the design of the building. Presently, it is already on its construction phase and soon will commence on its masonry works, specifically blocks laying. Correspondingly, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the College and the oganization was signed emphasizing the utilization of the machine for the fabrication of the various blocks, and on-site training for the foreman and workers on the operation of the said machine.

The participants of the training were personnel working on the project. They were given lectures on the theory and construction process of the CCRPH. The hands-on training was carried out to demonstrate the use of the machine with Ar. Virgilio M. Montero as facilitator, with BISCAST’s trained blocks fabricator, Mr. Pepito Ayala; Nexus Specialist, Ar. Jacquiline D. Uy; and Engr. Edmer Flores, faculty-extensionist from the CEA-CARES Extension Program.

The WWAO, represented by Ms. Marivic Delos Santos Abiño, expressed their appreciation for the project, particularly pride for being the first SME beneficiary of the Nexus technology.

The Urban Nexus carried out another promotional activity last 29 March 2019 relative to the CCRPH Building Technology, in cooperation with the United Architects of the Philippines - Camarines Chapter. The Build Smart 3: CCRPH Technology and MANFABLAB Orientation was joined in by 23 architects from the different UAP chapters in Bicol Region.

Among the activities in the morning were: the presentations and lectures on the Nexus Approach in relation to CCRPH, and Construction Process of BISCAST Low-Cost Housing Technology; site visit to the blocks fabrication area; and walkthrough lectures at the CCRPH. In the afternoon, the participants visited the Manufacturing Fabrication Laboratory and explored the state-of-art facility equipped for manufacturing miniature 3D models. They were also oriented on the various services available at the laboratory.

MASBATE – Masbate’s Don Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT) headed by its President, Dr. Erwin H. Malto, welcomed the BISCAST Urban Nexus Task Force for its 3rd Regional Forum on the College’s adaptation of the Urban Nexus Approach last October 4 to 5, 2018. The activity which aimed to disseminate information relative to the BISCAST experience in the framework of the Urban Nexus Approach was comprised of presentations and workshops.

The workshop was followed by an open forum where questions on the BISCAST experience, as well as the present situation at the DEBESMSCAT, were discussed in relation to what the participants want to happen if Nexus is adopted.

The event culminated with the sharing of insights; feedbacks and impressions of the participants; and BISCAST President, Dr. Cordial’s assessment of The Way Forward. Eventually, the two Colleges agreed to working on a Nexus project in the area of Research and Development.

VIRAC CATANDUANES- Catanduanes State University (CSU) welcomed the BICSAST Nexus Team last June 21 for a two-day seminar-workshop for the dissemination of Urban Nexus Approach to State Universities and Colleges in the Bicol Region. The Urban Nexus Forum aims to share the BISCAST experience in the framework of the Urban Nexus Approach.

The seminar was utilized for the elucidation of the different topics with regards to the Urban Nexus Approach adopted by BISCAST. The topics included insights on the Integrated Resource Management of Asian Cities: The Urban Nexus; and the Integration of Urban Nexus into BISCAST which involves the Constitutional Integration and the Integrated Resource Management (IRM) at BISCAST. The Team also shared the BISCAST Urban Nexus best practices including achievements from the different projects and activities. The Nexus Team likewise discussed the roadmap which entails the proposals and strategies of program implementation for the year 2019 including technology transfers for other Nexus projects such as the Rain Water Harvesting System and the CCRPH technology on a larger scale.

After the presentations, workshops were conducted for the participants to share their own views relative to the topics discussed. After the sharing, the Nexus Team facilitated an open forum where the participants were able to clarify some issues related to their own possible implementation of the approach.

The BISCAST Nexus CCRPH Team facilitated a seminar for the planning officers of the different Regional Offices of the Department of Tourism last June 27, 2018 in relation to Climate Change Budget Tagging.

The CCRPH Project Leaders, Engr. Victor J. Revilla and Dr. Isidro R. Bola presented the design and construction methods employed in the construction of the CCRPH, Green features of the building, the Machines, and the methods of producing the blocks utilized in the CCRPH.

During the open forum, the participants were able to clarify issues regarding the presentations. After the seminar, the visitors from the DOT were invited to have their actual site visit to the CCRPH where they were able to see the building constructed with the use of the technology the College was able to develop.

BISCAST - A representative from the EDGE and PGBI GREEEN, Ar. Emelino Punzalan facilitated a seminar last September 21, entitled, Zero Energy Buildings and ZEB Family Concept with the aim of introducing the new international EDGE Green Building standards for educational institutions.

The seminar was attended by the BISCAST Nexus Task Force, 100 selected BS Architecture students taking up the course Energy and Water in the Build Environment, and selected CEA faculty members.

As part of the Nexus Work Plan for 2019, the Climate Change Resilient Pilot House (CCRPH) was officially assessed and registered as an office building for the EDGE Green Building Standards last October 19, with the documentary evidence submitted by the Nexus Consultant to the accreditation body. The Certificate is expected to be granted at the beginning of 2019.

Thirty-four (34) participants from different local government units (LGUs) and private construction companies in Bicol Region attended the Climate Change Resilient Pilot Housing (CCRPH) Technology Transfer and Dissemination last May 10-11 at the BISCAST Conference Room.

The training facilitated by BISCAST Nexus Team and REPED was attended by LGUs from the six provinces and two cities of the Bicol Region as well as private builders who are interested in the CCRPH technology.

The CCRPH Technology Transfer and Information Dissemination made special focus on the design and construction of the BISCAST low-cost house building system through the utilization of the following strategies: familiarization, demonstration, production, and application.

The BISCAST Nexus Team headed by the College President, DR. Richard H. Cordial was welcomed by the Sorsogon State College for the first leg of the Regional Forum on BISCAST Adaption of the Urban Nexus Approach last 19-20 October 2017.

The 2-day forum consisted of presentations and lectures facilitated by the Mr. Werner Haberzettl, Dr. Isidro R. Bola, Engr. Analyn A. Madrid focusing on the Urban Nexus and what BISCAST was to accomplish though the adoption of the Approach including the CCRPH. After sets of lectures, workshops were done to assess the participants’ understanding, appreciation and ideas on the Nexus Approach. In general, the participants hope for the SSC to be known as an institution advocating and applying the nexus principles adding the need for funding and support of the school administration.

In conclusion, Mr. Haberzettl said the first thing to be done is to carry out an assessment of the problems with the help of the students. There will surely be answers, especially if they solicit solutions from experts in each field. In addition, Dr. Cordial said that the problem and the technology to address that problem is present. But people should have the awareness and the commitment to do things.

The BISCAST Nexus Team hosted a seminar for the Cities Development Initiative for Asia (CDIA) on 22 November 2017 in relation to climate change resiliency and effective urban development. The seminar was comprised of lectures facilitated by the Nexus Adviser, Mr. Werner Haberzettl focusing on the Urban Nexus and the CCRPH. The guests comprised of representatives from different countries, also visited the blocks fabrication area where Dr. Isidro R. Bola explained how the machines work and how the blocks are produced. Subsequently, the visitors went to the CCRPH where Mr. Haberzettl explained other things relative to the CCRPH including the building’s green features.