BANGA, Aklan - The Mayon Turbo Stove (MTS) and Dryer: “The Poor Man’s Gas Stove,” one of the 87 finalists in the World Bank Panibagong Paraan 2006 Competition held in SM Megamall, Pasig City on May 24-26, 2006 received a P1-million funding from donors led by the World Bank.  This year’s theme, “Development with Equity,” addresses issues on incomes, services, voice and environment, which the contest brings about new ideas for development.

The MTS was developed under a joint project of the Sustainable Rural Enterprise (SRE), a non-government organization led by its President, Ms. Perla Manapol and the Aklan State University (ASU) headed by its President, Dr. Benny A. Palma.  It was introduced to SRE-ASU by the Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP)-Canada, through Engr. Yori Jamin, an Intern at the SRE.  Further improvements on the stove were done by the ASU-SRE researchers: Dr. Edito T. Agustin of ASU-College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Prof. Francisco Nablo of ASU-School of Industrial Technology and Ms. Ferlina Galvan of Philippine Coconut Authority-Aklan.

In an interview with the Project Leader, Dr. Edito T. Agustin, he explained that through the invitation of the World Bank Panibagong Paraan 2006 Secretariat, a concept paper was submitted and screened by the World Bank Jurors.  Afterwhich, a detailed proposal was prepared.  Out of more than 1,000 entries from all over the Philippines, only 87 were chosen as finalists who put up exhibits at the SM Megamall in Pasig City.  The MTS, which qualified under the World Bank’s Clean Energy Category, was one among 59 winners from non-government organizations, private sectors and local government units as fund recipients.

The P1M grant fund for the project given by the United States of America will be channeled through the World Bank.  The fund will be allocated for the (a) Information and Education Campaign, (b) Training, (c) Fabrication of 500 units of MTS and for (d) administrative cost. 

The MTS is designed to (a) raise awareness of the hazards of traditional cooking methods to human health, safety, air quality, and ecology; (b) provide proof that the ideal cooking method need not be expensive, complicated and difficult to use; and (c) encourage further innovation in the holistic and clean uses of abundant agricultural waste like rice hulls as bio-fuel of the stove.

The MTS is beneficial because it is environment-friendly, economical and convenient to use.  It uses a variety of fuel at a lower consumption rate.