The 1st International Symposium on Low-cost Technology Options for Water Supply and Sanitation held in Bohol, Philippines last October 12 to 14, 2004 brought together various stakeholders from the LGUs (Local Government Units) and national government agencies, international and local experts, NGOs, business sector, the academe and civil society groups. It was jointly organized by the DILG - German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) „Water, Sanitation and Solid Waste” and the World Bank – “Water and Sanitation Program – East Asia and the Pacific” .

One of the main topics discussed was about Ecological Sanitation (ecosan) - its philosophy and technology options - in which a workshop group was formed to draft an initial action plan for organizing activities in line with continuing knowledge sharing, ecosan pilot projects, and the formation of a working group (Philippine Ecosan Network, PEN).

The “Philippine Ecosan Network” met on November 11, 2004 at the House of Representatives, Batasan Complex, Quezon City. The main results of the meeting were the formulation of the objectives and activities of the network. These served as first draft for a one (1) year plan of action for ecosan in the Philippines. In addition, an input on ecosan was drafted by the group for incorporation into the “Implementing Rules and Regulations” of the “Clean Water Act”.

If you are interested in the Philippine Ecosan Network (PEN), you are most welcome to become a member of this yahoo group.