The Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. shares with all Negrenses the international recognition it received recently for its hydraulic ram pump, Auke Idzenga, AIDFI Technology Department head, said yesterday.

The AIDFI won second prize in the Education and Welfare category in the 2007 Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy in London, United Kingdom. At a press conference yesterday at their office in Brgy. Mansilingan in Bacolod City, Idzenga said the award put their ram pump in the international map highlighting its capability to bring change in the lives of those living in the upland villages.

He said ram pump technology has the potential to supply water without the need for electricity or fossil fuel. The range of ram pump sizes used by AIDFI is between 1,500 and 72,000 liters of water a day, lifting it up to 135 meters.

While other manufacturers can make a similar pump, AIDFI executive director Aladino Moraca said they already secured patents for the models designed and improved by Idzenga.

They are also scheduled to install ram pumps in Barangay Mailum, Bago City, with all costs to be shouldered by the Philippine National Oil Company.

As a result of the recognition from the Ashden Awards, Moraca said their office has received orders from Afghanistan and Utah, U.S.A.

At present, 68 ram pumps have been installed by AIDFI in the upland communities in San Carlos, Sagay, Talisay, Silay, Victorias, Don Salvador Benedicto, Murcia, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, La Castellana, Moise Padilla, Sipalay and Cauayan.*NAB

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