Aquabot Technology Offers Solution to Metro Manila’s Clogged Waterways 

Metro Manila’s clogged waterways, long held as the culprit behind floodings in the city streets after heavy rains, may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new technology that has been developed by the Technological University of the Philippines-Taguig Campus through the support of the Department of Science and Technology-NCR.  

The Aqua Trash collector bot (Aquabot) is a remote-controlled vessel that has the capacity to collect up to 16 kilos of debris or solid waste floating on water within 4 hours, or a total of around 10 to15 sacks of solid waste daily. It can operate on riverbanks, creeks and, as shown during the technology demonstration, along the waterways of Barangay NBBS.  

The technology was formally turned over to the City Government of Navotas after the ceremonial signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last July 8, 2024 at Barangay NBBS in Dagat-dagatan, Navotas City. Leading the MOA signing were City of Navotas Mayor John Reynaldo M. Tiangco, DOST-NCR Regional Director Engr. Romelen T. Tresvalles, TUP Taguig Campus Director Dr. Rexmel Decapia, and Barangay Chairman Mr. Domingo Elape of Barangay NBBS Dagat-dagatan. Also in attendance were City of Navotas officials and personnel from DOST-NCR’s CAMANAVA CASTO led by its Officer-in-Charge Mr. Warren Gomez.   

The Aquabot is the latest result of collaborative efforts between the DOST-NCR, academic institutions, and local government units in the National Capital Region.    

The MOA signing also served as a platform, not only to promote local innovation, but also show how interventions of Science and Technology can address imminent threats of ecological imbalance and the problem of improper solid waste disposal that ends up contaminating Metro Manila’s waterways. In addition, the activity encourages local communities to own stewardship of their environment to ensure more sanitary and healthier waterways for the residents of Barangay NBBS and contribute to a more sustainable future for the City of Navotas.   

By: Noel G. Calcetas, SCCU