Wasting a precious resource

The town of Lucban, Quezon is known for its Pahiyas Festival, longganisa and its pilgrimage Healing Church named Kamay ni Hesus.

However, what I find most interesting there is its water resource which simply drains through the canal. I feel very sad that this water is not being tapped and utilized in a more productive way.

Running water is a specially precious resource that does not only nourish plants and quenches thirst. Running water is a potential source of energy that can help generate wealth for those who know how to tap its power.

I am not just talking about hydro-electric power which would require a bigger amount of water and capital. What I am thinking of are simple water mills that can provide mechanical energy for small scale use. For instance water energy can run mills that can grind rice, corn, rootcrops and turn them into flour. It can pound tough fibers to make special paper. Instead of just letting the water drain through the canals, water engineers can perhaps make gravity fountains to make the town more beautiful and interesting etc.

In Europe, watermills played a great role in fostering the Industrial Revolution by boosting productivity and allowing societies to create surplus.

In the Philippines, we still have to learn how to utilize our resources more efficiently instead of just letting it go down the drain... err canal.