Divina, Felen II

Lalap, Gherlee Nelle

Rosas, Ronald Melvin
Torino, Mharicar
Water Hyacinth Fiber Stripping Machine
INTRODUCTION
In the past few years, one problem of certain major water systems of the
Philippines is the water hyacinth (locally known as water lily). News shows the
problem brought by water hyacinth especially on areas on Mindanao that is not regularly
visited by storms. This is also the plant blamed for flooding Cagayan de Oro where
many lives were drastically changed due to that disaster. Another problem brought by
water hyacinth is it serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Water hyacinth is a perennial plant which strives in water bodies like rivers and
lake. Although this plant was treated as pest, this is also a good opportunity for some.
Water hyacinth is a plant known for its fiber. Hence it provides livelihood for people
around water bodies.
RATIONALE
Water hyacinth is still treated pest wherein it can be a source of income for some
who lived near water system. The stalk of this plant can be a good source of fiber
usually used for crafts. Generating a mechanized way of extracting the fiber can
optimize the operation of water hyacinth processing. Also, fiber stripping machine for
water hyacinth can be used for development of other stripping machine for other fibrous
commodity.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
In some part of the Philippines, water hyacinth is being used as livelihood for
some cooperatives and foundation which have concern with water systems. Recently,
this plant unfortunately and indirectly damage structures and became the primary
reason for flooding in Cagayan de Oro. People were devastated by the flood simply

because Mindanao is not frequently visited by typhoons. Water hyacinths clogged the
water bodies causing rise of water level. Another disadvantage of water hyacinth is that
it blocks the entry of oxygen to the water causing lower mortality of organisms beneath
the water (Tacio, 2011).
There are three possible ways of controlling the pest plant: biological, chemical
and physical. Chemical means of removal of water hyacinths is least preferred due to
long-term foreseen effects of chemicals. Physical control is the use of machines to solve
the problem in short-term basis because of the fast growth rate of the plant. Biological
control is widely preferred according to experts for long-term control because it provides
economic and sustainable control of the water hyacinths (Tacio, 2011).
For crafts, the water hyacinth is being used to produce bags, woven products,
paper, yarn and fiberboard. It can also be used as fish feeds for Tilapia and fertilizer
which increases soil fertility and eventually crop yield. It also can be used for green
charcoal (http://nagacentralschool1-waterlily.blogspot.com/p/focus-study.html, 2011)
Abaca fiber extraction was mechanized for the past years. One machine that can
be found www.vsu.edu.ph is a portable engine-powered abaca spindle stripping
machine, which can be modified to be a multi-fiber stripping machine especially for
water hyacinth.
REFERENCES:
Tacio, H. (2011, June 27). Water Hyacinth: Its pitfalls and potentials. Retrieved
from http://pnej.org/?p=377, Date of Retrieval: July 11, 2012.
http://www.vsu.edu.ph/narc/technologies/strip/stripping%20machine.htm
http://nagacentralschool1-waterlily.blogspot.com/p/focus-study.html